Agni Purana — Kosha, Shloka 2
Chapter 364 — ब्रह्मवर्गः
Brahmavarga: Lexical Classification of Brahminical/Ritual Terms
यष्टा च यजमानः स्यात् ज्ञात्वारम्भ उपक्रमः सतीर्थ्याश् चैकगुरवः सभ्याः सामाजिकास् तथा
yaṣṭā ca yajamānaḥ syāt jñātvārambha upakramaḥ satīrthyāś caikaguravaḥ sabhyāḥ sāmājikās tathā
行祭者（yaṣṭā）应当就是祭主（yajamāna，委托并资助仪式者），先已明了事业之正当开端与施行次第。并应具备同学/同仪之伴侣、同一师承者，以及会众中博学之成员与诸司仪参与者等。
Lord Agni (in discourse to sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Constitute the yajña’s human framework correctly: the yajamāna as patron-performer, with properly trained peers and a competent sabhā to ensure procedural correctness and social-ritual legitimacy.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Yajamāna and Sabhā Requirements at Yajña Commencement","lookup_keywords":["yajamāna","ārambha-upakrama","sabhya","sāmājika","satīrthya"],"quick_summary":"The rite should be initiated only after understanding the correct commencement-protocol, with the yajamāna as the responsible patron and a qualified peer-group and assembly to witness and support the ritual."}
Concept: Ritual efficacy depends on right agency (yajamāna) and right community (qualified peers and sabhā) aligned to proper procedure.
Application: Before any major rite, verify eligibility, training-lineage, and the presence of competent witnesses/participants to prevent doṣa (ritual fault).
Khanda Section: Dharma-shastra / Śrauta-Smārta Karma (Yajña-vidhi and ritual protocol)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A yajña pavilion at the moment of commencement: the yajamāna seated with ritual peers (satīrthya, ekaguru) and an assembly of learned sabhyas and participants arranged formally around the altar space.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, yajña-śālā interior, yajamāna in white garments with sacred thread, learned sabhyas seated in rows, palm-leaf manuscripts, calm ochre-red palette, stylized faces, ritual vessels near the altar, symmetrical composition","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, yajña commencement scene with yajamāna enthroned on a low seat, sabhā arranged around, rich textiles, gold-leaf highlights on ritual vessels and canopy borders, deep reds and greens, ornate frame","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional depiction of yajña assembly layout, labeled positions for yajamāna and sabhyas, delicate linework, muted colors, emphasis on orderly seating and protocol","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, court-like ritual assembly in a pavilion, yajamāna and scholars in discussion, fine architectural details, patterned carpets, precise facial portraiture, subdued yet intricate palette"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Shri","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सतीर्थ्याश् → सतीर्थ्याः (श् + च → ः/श्च); चैकगुरवः → च + एकगुरवः.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 364.3; Agni Purana 364.6
FAQs
It specifies ritual governance: the yajña should be led by a properly informed yajamāna/performer who knows the correct commencement (ārambha) and procedural sequence (upakrama), and it recognizes required/appropriate categories of accompanying learned and communal participants.
Beyond theology, it preserves practical dharma and yajña-administration—defining roles (yajamāna, sabhya, sāmājika) and procedural competence—showing the Purāṇa’s coverage of ritual law and social-ritual institutions.
Correct initiation and procedure, undertaken by a qualified patron/performer with proper witnesses and participants, safeguards the rite from defects (doṣa) and supports the intended merit (puṇya) and purification (śuddhi) of the sacrifice.