Agni Purana — Veda-vidhana & Vamsha, Shloka 3
Sāma-vidhāna
Procedure of the Sāman Hymns
भागत इति क , ग , छ , ञ च प्रवादीशं सोपदितीति ख , छ च सर्वशान्तिकरन्तथेति घ , ञ च यत इन्द्र भजामहे हिंसादोषविनाशनं अवकीर्णी मुच्यते च अग्निस्तिग्मेति वै जपन् क्वचिन्नाप्नोति च भयं हुत्वा चैवाभयङ्गणं न क्वचिज्जायते राम गणं हुत्वा पराजितं
bhāgata iti ka , ga , cha , ña ca pravādīśaṃ sopaditīti kha , cha ca sarvaśāntikarantatheti gha , ña ca yata indra bhajāmahe hiṃsādoṣavināśanaṃ avakīrṇī mucyate ca agnistigmeti vai japan kvacinnāpnoti ca bhayaṃ hutvā caivābhayaṅgaṇaṃ na kvacijjāyate rāma gaṇaṃ hutvā parājitaṃ
“（咒语异读为：）‘bhāgata’——见于Ka、Ga、Cha与Ña诸本；‘pravādīśaṃ sopaditī’——见于Kha与Cha诸本；‘sarvaśāntikaraṃ’——见于Gha与Ña诸本。故此，噢因陀罗，我们礼敬（此法），能灭除暴害（hiṃsā）之过。即便犯下重罪者亦得解脱。诚然，持诵‘agnis tigme’者，处处不遭恐惧；又以火供奉献于“无畏众”（Abhaya-gaṇa，除惧之仪），则恐惧于任何处所皆不生起，噢罗摩。既供于此众，败敌亦被制伏。”
Lord Agni (teaching ritual-mantra applications to Vasiṣṭha; with an address ‘O Rāma’ preserved in the transmission)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Apply recension-specific mantra readings for śānti; use japa (‘agnis tigme’) and Abhaya-gaṇa homa for fearlessness and subjugation of hostility; expiatory release from hiṃsā-doṣa.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Mantra-pāṭha-bheda, hiṃsā-doṣa-nāśa, and Abhaya-gaṇa prayoga","lookup_keywords":["pāṭha-bheda","agnis tigme","Abhaya gaṇa","hiṃsā-doṣa","śānti-kalpa"],"quick_summary":"The verse notes variant readings across recensions and prescribes japa/homa for removing the fault of violence, gaining fearlessness, and pacifying/subduing opposition."}
Concept: Mantra as prāyaścitta and rakṣā: even grave fault (avakīrṇa) can be relieved through correct upāsanā; fear is countered by disciplined japa/homa.
Application: Use ethically framed expiation and protective rites to reduce guilt/fear and stabilize conduct; emphasize non-violence while seeking removal of hiṃsā-doṣa.
Khanda Section: Mantra-vidhi / Shanti-kalpa (Protective rites and pacificatory mantras)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritualist recites ‘agnis tigme’ beside a fire altar; separate panels show variant mantra readings written on palm leaves; an ‘Abhaya-gaṇa’ offering dispels dark fear-forms; a hostile figure is shown subdued/appeased.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: dramatic protective rite—flaming homa, priest chanting, shadowy fear-demons dissolving; palm-leaf text strips showing variant readings; subdued enemy kneeling, all in bold mural colors.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: central fire altar with gold highlights; protective aura around the sacrificer; stylized ‘Abhaya’ emblem; defeated adversary rendered small; ornate borders and rich reds.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: instructional split-scene—left: pāṭha-bheda manuscripts; center: japa posture; right: homa labeled Abhaya-gaṇa; clean lines, gentle palette, clarity of sequence.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: narrative of fearlessness—traveler/prince protected by a priest’s rite; detailed manuscripts; subdued opponent in a garden-camp setting; fine brushwork and calligraphic labels."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"protective","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: agnistigmeti = agniḥ + tigme + iti; kvacinnāpnoti = kvacit + na + āpnoti; caivābhayaṅgaṇaṃ = ca + eva + abhayaṃ + gaṇam. Several mantra-name segments (ka/ga/cha/ña etc.) are manuscript markers and not analyzable as Sanskrit padas.
Related Themes: Agni Purana: śānti-kalpa and rakṣā-mantra sections; Agni Purana: prāyaścitta-related passages (where present)
FAQs
It gives mantra-variants (pāṭha-bheda across recensions) and prescribes japa of the ‘agnis tigme’ formula plus an ‘Abhaya-gaṇa’ homa as a practical rite for fearlessness, protection, and subduing hostile forces.
It preserves multiple textual readings and ties them to applied ritual outcomes (japa and homa), showing how the Agni Purana functions as a manual of mantra-technology, expiation, and protective liturgy alongside its many other disciplines.
The verse frames the practice as removing the karmic fault of violence (hiṃsā-doṣa) and granting release even to a serious transgressor, while also promising worldly protection—fearlessness and victory/subdual of hostility—through disciplined recitation and oblation.