Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 42
Chapter 72 — स्नानविशेषादिकथनम्
Special Rules of Bathing, Mantra-Purification, and Sandhyā
अत्रेये ऽथ वसिष्ठाय नमश्चाथ पुलस्तये कृतवे भारद्वजाय विश्वामित्राय वै नमः
atreye 'tha vasiṣṭhāya namaścātha pulastaye kṛtave bhāradvajāya viśvāmitrāya vai namaḥ
ขอนอบน้อมแด่อาตฺเรยะ ขอนอบน้อมแด่วสิษฐะ; ขอนอบน้อมแด่ปุลัสตยะ; แด่กรตุ; แด่ภารทวาชะ; และขอนอบน้อมแด่วิศวามิตระโดยแท้.
Lord Agni (as primary narrator in the Agni Purana’s dialogue framework)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Stotra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"R̥ṣi-namaskāra: reciting salutations to major Vedic seers to establish lineage-blessing (ṛṣi-prasāda) and ritual authorization before mantra-japa, homa, or study.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Ṛṣi-namaskāra: salutations to Ātreya, Vasiṣṭha, Pulastya, Kratu, Bhāradvāja, Viśvāmitra","lookup_keywords":["ṛṣi-namaskāra","Vasiṣṭha","Viśvāmitra","Bhāradvāja","Pulastya"],"quick_summary":"A concise salutation-list to eminent ṛṣis, used to invoke their grace and acknowledge the transmission of mantra and dharma."}
Concept: Guru–ṛṣi-paramparā as the foundation of valid knowledge (śruti/smṛti transmission) and ritual efficacy.
Application: Begin recitation/ritual with ṛṣi-salutations to cultivate humility, attentiveness, and continuity with the tradition.
Khanda Section: Stotra / Rishi-namaskara (Invocation and Salutation to Sages)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A row of venerable sages seated in meditation—Ātreya, Vasiṣṭha, Pulastya, Kratu, Bhāradvāja, Viśvāmitra—each with distinct ascetic attributes (kamandalu, jaṭā, deer-skin), receiving salutations from a devotee with folded hands.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, six ṛṣis in frontal iconic poses with jaṭā and halos, forest āśrama backdrop, devotee in añjali mudrā, warm earthy palette, stylized foliage and river motifs","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, six sages with gold halos and embossed ornaments on seats, devotee offering flowers, rich gold work highlighting sanctity, deep reds and greens, ornate frame","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, refined linework showing each ṛṣi with labeled name scrolls, calm āśrama scene with palm-leaf manuscripts, devotee saluting, soft colors and delicate shading","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed hermitage with trees and water, six sages in conversation/meditation, a student offering pranāma, fine facial detailing, subtle calligraphy of names"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: atreye 'tha = atreye + atha (visarga not present; avagraha indicates elision); namaścātha = namaḥ + ca + atha (visarga before c → ś).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 72 (ṛṣi-tarpaṇa / namaskāra sequences around pūjā-vidhi)
FAQs
It gives a rishi-vandana (salutation) formula used as an invocatory component in recitation—honoring authoritative seers to sanctify the act of chanting and align it with the Vedic–Puranic lineage.
By preserving liturgical practice alongside doctrine: the text not only teaches subjects (ritual, polity, medicine, poetics) but also models how to begin transmission—through lineage-salutations to key rishis who represent foundational streams of sacred knowledge.
Offering namaskāra to revered sages is treated as a purifying preface: it cultivates humility, removes obstacles to study/recitation, and accrues merit by honoring the custodians of dharma and mantra-tradition.