Agni Purana — Vyavahara, Shloka 53
Ṛग्विधानम् (Ṛgvidhāna) — Applications of Ṛgvedic Mantras through Japa and Homa
व्याधिकम्भवदिति ट अच्छावदेति सूक्तञ्च वृष्टिकामः प्रयिओजयेत् निराहारः क्लिन्नवासा न चिरेण प्रवर्षति
vyādhikambhavaditi ṭa acchāvadeti sūktañca vṛṣṭikāmaḥ prayiojayet nirāhāraḥ klinnavāsā na cireṇa pravarṣati
欲求降雨者，应依仪轨施行以“vyādhikambhavad …”开头之咒，并兼行以“acchā vad …”开头之颂（sūkta）。禁食且身着湿衣，不久便能致雨。
Lord Agni (instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s encyclopedic mantra-prayoga sections)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Rain-invocation (varṣa-kāmanā) using specified Vedic mantra/sūkta applications, combined with austerity markers (fasting, wet garments) to intensify the rite.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Varṣa-kāmanā prayoga: ‘Vyādhikambhavad…’ and ‘Acchā vad…’ sūkta","lookup_keywords":["varṣa-kāmanā","vṛṣṭi-prayoga","acchā vad sūkta","vyādhikambhavad","nirāhāra"],"quick_summary":"For inducing rain, the text prescribes applying two mantra-units (by incipit) and observing austerities—fasting and wearing wet clothes. The intended result is rainfall occurring soon after the rite."}
Concept: Tapas + mantra as a causal technology: bodily discipline (nirāhāra, klinnavāsa) is paired with Vedic speech to seek environmental change.
Application: As tradition: perform only under learned guidance; as modern adaptation: treat as communal prayer/ritual for ecological mindfulness, alongside practical water management.
Khanda Section: Mantra-prayoga & Vedic Sūkta Applications (Rain-invocation / Varṣa-kāmanā)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"An ascetic/ritualist chanting from a palm-leaf text under darkening clouds, wearing wet garments, with a simple altar; villagers watch as rain begins to fall over fields.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: dramatic monsoon clouds, ritualist in wet cloth chanting, small fire-altar and water pot, fields and coconut trees receiving first rain, bold outlines and deep blues/greens.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: central ritualist with gold halo-like aura, stylized rain streaks in silver/white, ornate border; clouds and fields rendered with rich pigments and gold accents.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: instructional scene—ritualist, labeled mantras by incipit, depiction of ‘nirāhāra’ (empty bowl) and ‘klinnavāsa’ (wet cloth), then rain over crops; precise linework.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: countryside with farmers and a learned priest performing rite; layered clouds, fine rain lines, detailed textiles clinging wetly, delicate landscape perspective."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Megh Malhar","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सूक्तञ्च = सूक्तम् + च; (IAST ‘prayiojayet’ normalized as ‘prayojayet’); text contains quoted mantra-words: ‘vyādhikam bhavat iti ṭa acchāvat iti’.
Related Themes: Agni Purana: śānti-karma and kāmya-prayoga materials; mantra-sūkta application lists
FAQs
It teaches a specific varṣa-kāmanā (rain-desire) mantra-prayoga: employing two mantric units identified by their opening words, combined with austerities—fasting and wearing wet garments—to induce rainfall.
Alongside theology and narrative, the Agni Purana preserves operational ritual technology—how to deploy Vedic sūktas for practical aims (here, rainfall), reflecting its wide scope across rites, observances, and applied mantra disciplines.
The fasting and discomfort of wet garments function as tapas (austerity) that disciplines the practitioner and is presented as a merit-generating observance supporting the efficacy of the mantra and the intended cosmic result (rain).