Agni Purana — Vyavahara, Shloka 80
Ṛग्विधानम् (Ṛgvidhāna) — Applications of Ṛgvedic Mantras through Japa and Homa
क्षीणायुरिति मन्येत यङ्कञ्चित् सुहृदं प्रियं यत्तेयमिति तु स्नातस्तस्य मूर्धानमालभेत्
kṣīṇāyuriti manyeta yaṅkañcit suhṛdaṃ priyaṃ yatteyamiti tu snātastasya mūrdhānamālabhet
اگر کوئی یہ سمجھے کہ “میری عمر گھٹ رہی ہے”، تو غسل کرکے کسی بھی عزیز و مخلص دوست کے سر پر ہاتھ رکھے اور کہے: “یہ تمہارا ہے۔”
Lord Agni (in discourse to Vasiṣṭha, as per the Agni Purana’s standard narration frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"A simple śānti/āyuḥ-prayoga: bathing, then transferring/warding off perceived life-decline by touching a beloved friend’s head with a dedicatory utterance.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Āyuḥ-śānti by snāna and head-touch with dedicatory utterance","lookup_keywords":["kṣīṇāyuḥ","snāta","mūrdhāna ālabheta","śānti-karma","āyuḥ-prayoga"],"quick_summary":"When one fears dwindling lifespan, one bathes and performs a head-touch rite on a dear friend while uttering a dedicatory formula (“this is yours”), functioning as a pacificatory/transfer-warding act."}
Concept: Śānti through śauca (purity) and mantra-vāk (ritual speech) directed via a symbolic act (touch).
Application: Perform snāna, then a calm, intentional head-touch with the stated formula as a remedial rite when fearful of impending misfortune.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Shanti-karma (Auspicious rites and remedial rituals)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A person after bathing, hair still damp, respectfully touching the head of a beloved friend/relative while speaking a short dedicatory formula; a calm domestic/ritual setting.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, two figures in profile, one with wet hair and simple cloth, hand placed on the other’s head, serene expressions, minimal ritual vessels, flat ornamental background.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, richly dressed figures with gold embellishments, the blessing/touch gesture emphasized, ornate border, ritual water pot and towel rendered with gold highlights.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, gentle pastel palette, clear depiction of snāna context (water pot, towel), precise hand-on-head gesture, didactic composition.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, intimate indoor scene with patterned carpets, water basin nearby, subtle facial expressions, fine linework showing the touch on the crown of the head."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: क्षीणायुरिति → क्षीणायुः + इति; यङ्कञ्चित् → यम् + कञ्चित्; यत्तेयमिति → यत् + ते + इयम् + इति; स्नातस्तस्य → स्नातः + तस्य; मूर्धानमालभेत् → मूर्धानम् + आलभेत्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 258 (Pūjā-vidhi / Śānti-karma subsections)
FAQs
A simple śānti-prayoga: after ritual bathing, one performs a remedial act by touching the head of a dear friend/well-wisher while uttering a dedicatory formula (“This is yours”), intended as a longevity-warding measure.
It exemplifies the Agni Purana’s practical catalog of applied rites (prayogas)—brief, usable instructions alongside larger theological and philosophical material—showing its breadth as a manual of ritual remedies.
Snāna signifies purification; the respectful head-touch with a dedicatory utterance functions as a propitiatory, merit-oriented act meant to avert inauspiciousness connected with feared loss of longevity.