Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 6
Saṃskāra-kathana
Account of the Saṃskāras
चातुर्मास्यं पशुबन्धः सौत्रामणिरथापरः सोमसंस्थाः सप्त शृणु अग्निष्टोमः क्रतूत्तमः
cāturmāsyaṃ paśubandhaḥ sautrāmaṇirathāparaḥ somasaṃsthāḥ sapta śṛṇu agniṣṭomaḥ kratūttamaḥ
వినుము—సోమసంస్థలు ఏడు; వాటిలో చాతుర్మాస్య కర్మలు, పశుబంధ (పశు-అర్పణ) మరియు సౌత్రామణి మొదలైనవి ఉన్నాయి; వాటిలో అగ్నిష్టోమం శ్రేష్ఠ క్రతువు।
Lord Agni (teaching the ritual taxonomy to sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"High-level classification of Soma-sacrifices and major śrauta rites, identifying Agniṣṭoma as paradigmatic; useful for ritual education and hierarchy of kratus.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Soma-saṃsthā classification and primacy of Agniṣṭoma","lookup_keywords":["soma-saṃsthā","cāturmāsya","paśubandha","sautrāmaṇī","agniṣṭoma"],"quick_summary":"The verse names key Soma-sacrificial systems and associated rites, emphasizing Agniṣṭoma as the foremost kratu. It provides a hierarchy and entry-point for studying Soma-yajña."}
Concept: Kratu-śreṣṭhatā: ritual systems are graded; Agniṣṭoma stands as the model Soma-sacrifice from which other Soma-saṃsthās are understood.
Application: For ritual curriculum: begin Soma-yajña study with Agniṣṭoma structure, then extend to other saṃsthās; observe seasonal Cāturmāsya and special rites (Sautrāmaṇī) per śrauta rule.
Khanda Section: Yajna-vidhi (Vedic Rituals / Soma-sacrifice classifications)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A grand Soma-yajña arena: pressing stones, Soma creeper, multiple priests (hotṛ, adhvaryu, udgātṛ, brahman), animal-offering context for paśubandha, and a highlighted central panel naming Agniṣṭoma as foremost.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: expansive yajña-śālā with many officiants, stylized Soma pressing, bright sacred fire; banners reading Cāturmāsya, Paśubandha, Sautrāmaṇī; central emphasis on Agniṣṭoma.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: regal Agniṣṭoma scene with gold accents on fire and vessels; priests in symmetrical arrangement; ornate frame with small icons for the other rites.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style: semi-diagrammatic depiction of priest roles and stations, Soma pressing apparatus labeled; clear hierarchy with Agniṣṭoma highlighted at top.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: detailed ritual pavilion with many figures, careful rendering of Soma pressing and offerings; marginal cartouches naming the rites, central cartouche for Agniṣṭoma."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Malkauns","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सौत्रामणिरथापरः = सौत्रामणिः + अथ + अपरः (visarga sandhi: ः + अ → र्); क्रतूत्तमः = क्रतु + उत्तम (u-u sandhi).
Related Themes: Agni Purana: yajña-vidhi passages on Soma-yāga classifications and kratu taxonomy
FAQs
It gives a ritual taxonomy: it names key Soma-related sacrificial systems (saṃsthās) and identifies Agniṣṭoma as the principal/standard Soma sacrifice within that framework.
By cataloging and ranking major Vedic rites (Cāturmāsya, Paśubandha, Sautrāmaṇī, and the Soma-saṃsthā scheme), it functions like a reference index of ritual science (yajña-vidhi) embedded within a Purāṇic compendium.
Correctly knowing the hierarchy and type of sacrifices is presented as a prerequisite for proper performance (vidhi), which traditionally yields purification (śuddhi) and merit (puṇya), with Agniṣṭoma singled out as especially meritorious among Soma rites.