Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 15
Chapter 166: वर्णधर्मादिकथनं
Exposition of Varṇa-Dharma and Related Topics
सौत्रामणिसप्तसोमसंस्थाग्निष्टोम आदितः अत्यग्निष्टोम उक्थश् च षोडशी वाजपेयकः
sautrāmaṇisaptasomasaṃsthāgniṣṭoma āditaḥ atyagniṣṭoma ukthaś ca ṣoḍaśī vājapeyakaḥ
Mula sa Agniṣṭoma, ang mga sakripisyong Soma ay inayos sa pitong Soma-saṃsthā; at kabilang sa mga anyo nito ang Sautrāmaṇi, Atyagniṣṭoma, Ukthya, Ṣoḍaśin, at Vājapeya.
Lord Agni (narrating Purāṇic instruction to Vasiṣṭha, in the standard Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Identify Soma-sacrifice types within the seven saṃsthās and choose the correct variant (Agniṣṭoma, Ukthya, Ṣoḍaśin, Vājapeya, etc.) for patronal aims and ritual competence.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Soma-saṃsthā and principal Soma-yajñas (Agniṣṭoma onward)","lookup_keywords":["Soma-samstha","Agnishtoma","Sautramani","Ukthya","Vajapeya"],"quick_summary":"Enumerates major Soma-sacrifice forms beginning with Agniṣṭoma and situates them within the seven Soma-saṃsthās for ritual classification."}
Concept: Ritual systematization of Soma-yajñas into recognized saṃsthā-classes and named variants.
Application: Use as a mnemonic index for priests/patrons to map desired rite to its saṃsthā and required stotra/śastra structure.
Khanda Section: Agneya-vidya (Vedic Yajña and Soma-sacrifice classifications)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A Soma-sacrifice hall with pressing stones, soma trough, priests chanting; a side register showing the names Agniṣṭoma, Atyagniṣṭoma, Ukthya, Ṣoḍaśin, Vājapeya, Sautrāmaṇi arranged as a structured list under 'seven saṃsthās'.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, broad stylized figures of hotṛ/udgātṛ/adhvaryu around soma-pressing, green and ochre tones, decorative borders, text-like panels naming Agniṣṭoma, Ukthya, Ṣoḍaśin, Vājapeya","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, central soma-pressing scene with gold on vessels and ornaments, luminous haloed fire altar, small gold cartouches listing the Soma-yajñas, rich maroon background","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style instructional composition: labeled soma implements (adri stones, droṇa-kalaśa), neat callouts for each sacrifice name, balanced pastel palette, manuscript aesthetic","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly patron observing a soma-yajña, meticulous utensils, attendants, a scroll showing the seven saṃsthās and named rites, fine floral margins"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shri","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सौत्रामणि+सप्त+सोम+संस्था+अग्निष्टोमः → सौत्रामणिसप्तसोमसंस्थाग्निष्टोमः; अति+अग्निष्टोमः → अत्यग्निष्टोमः; उक्थः+च → उक्थश्च
Related Themes: Agni Purana 166 (Soma-yajña classifications continuing from paśubandha lists)
FAQs
It provides a technical taxonomy of major Śrauta Soma-sacrifices—naming key Jyotiṣṭoma-related rites (Agniṣṭoma and its variants such as Ukthya, Ṣoḍaśin, Vājapeya) within the framework of the seven Soma-saṃsthās.
By compressing specialized Vedic ritual classifications into a Purāṇic chapter, it functions like a ritual index—showing how the Agni Purāṇa preserves and summarizes Śrauta technical knowledge alongside its many other subjects.
These Soma-yajñas are traditionally understood as high-merit rites that purify the sacrificer, strengthen dharma, and support prosperity and status; listing them signals their recognized hierarchy and sacred efficacy within Vedic ritual culture.