Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 55
Chapter 24 — कुण्डनिर्माणादिविधिः
Procedure for Constructing the Fire-pit and Related Rites
अमन्त्रमर्चनं कृत्वा गुरोः पादार्चनन्ततः विधाय दक्षिणां दद्यात् सर्वस्वं चार्धमेव वा
amantramarcanaṃ kṛtvā guroḥ pādārcanantataḥ vidhāya dakṣiṇāṃ dadyāt sarvasvaṃ cārdhameva vā
بعد أداء العبادة من غير تلاوة المانترا، ثم عبادة قدمي الغورو، ينبغي أن يُهيَّأ ويُقدَّم الدكشِنا (dakṣiṇā): إمّا كلّ الثروة، أو على الأقل نصفها.
Lord Agni (instructing Sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s ritual sections)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Guideline for guru-pūjā and dakṣiṇā: after amāntrika worship and pādārcana, give substantial offering (up to all wealth/half) as per capacity and vow.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Amāntrika-arcana, guru-pādārcana, and dakṣiṇā measure","lookup_keywords":["amāntra-arcana","guru-pādārcana","dakṣiṇā","sarvasva","ardha"],"quick_summary":"Perform non-mantric worship, then worship the guru’s feet, and offer dakṣiṇā—ideally very generous (all or half of one’s wealth), emphasizing gratitude and transmission ethics."}
Concept: Guru-sevā and dakṣiṇā as dharmic reciprocity for receiving vidyā and dīkṣā; amāntrika arcana highlights humility and service beyond ritual power.
Application: Budget and plan dakṣiṇā proportionate to one’s means; prioritize guru-pādārcana and tangible support of the teaching lineage.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Guru-puja and Dakshina-vidhi)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A disciple performs simple (amāntrika) worship, then bows and offers flowers/water at the guru’s feet; afterward, the disciple presents a substantial dakṣiṇā (coins, cloth, cattle, or goods) with humility.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, guru seated on a low seat, disciple at the feet performing pādārcana with a small vessel and flowers, attendants holding cloth and offerings, subdued sacred palette","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, guru with ornate seat and halo, gold-leaf on offering trays and coins, disciple prostrating, rich textiles and ceremonial grandeur emphasizing dakṣiṇā","mysore_prompt":"Mysore, didactic composition: sequence panels—amāntrika arcana, pādārcana, dakṣiṇā presentation; fine lines, gentle colors, clear gestures","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, intimate teacher-disciple exchange, detailed rendering of gift items (cloth bundles, coins), respectful body language, architectural niche backdrop"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"solemn","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: अमन्त्रमर्चनं→अमन्त्रम् + अर्चनम्; पादार्चनन्ततः (पाठभेद)→पादार्चनात् + ततः; चार्धमेव→च + अर्धम् + एव.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 24.53; Agni Purana 24.56
FAQs
It prescribes the post-worship protocol: after mantra-less honoring and guru-foot worship, one must give dakṣiṇā—ideally all wealth, or at least half—emphasizing completion of the rite through a formal offering.
Alongside theology, the Agni Purana records practical ritual procedure (pūjā-vidhi), including ethics of remuneration and completion-rites (dakṣiṇā), showing its coverage of lived religious law and ceremonial protocol.
It frames dakṣiṇā and guru-reverence as integral to ritual merit: honoring the guru and giving generously perfects the act of worship and supports dharmic reciprocity between student and teacher.