Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 30
Dīkṣāvidhi-kathana
Explanation of the Rite of Initiation
ध्यायेच्च द्वादशात्मानं सूत्रे देहे तथेच्छया हुत्वा सम्पातविधिना सृष्टेः सृष्टिक्रमेण तु
dhyāyecca dvādaśātmānaṃ sūtre dehe tathecchayā hutvā sampātavidhinā sṛṣṭeḥ sṛṣṭikrameṇa tu
ينبغي أن يتأمل المرء الآتمان ذا الاثني عشر وجهًا داخل السوترا (sūtra: «الخيط» اللطيف) وداخل الجسد بحسب قصده؛ ثم بعد تقديم القرابين وفق طريقة السَمْپاتَا (sampāta-vidhi)، (يمضي) بحسب تسلسل الخلق، أي وفق ترتيب الفيض والانبثاق.
Lord Agni (in discourse to sage Vasiṣṭha, as per the Agni Purana’s primary narrative frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Conduct inner sṛṣṭi-krama (emanation visualization) and homa-linked contemplation: meditate on the twelvefold self in the sūtra and body, then perform offerings via sampāta to ritually mirror creation’s unfolding.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Dvādaśātman Dhyāna with Sampāta-Homa in Sṛṣṭi-krama","lookup_keywords":["dvādaśātmā","sūtra","sṛṣṭi-krama","sampāta-vidhi","dhyāna","homa"],"quick_summary":"The practitioner meditates on a twelvefold self within the subtle thread and the body, then performs oblations using the sampāta method, proceeding in the same order as cosmic emanation. It integrates visualization with fire-offering as a microcosmic reenactment of creation."}
Concept: Microcosm–macrocosm correspondence: the body and sūtra can host the same twelvefold principle that unfolds as creation; ritual action can be synchronized with cosmology.
Application: Use sṛṣṭi-krama visualization to stabilize attention and to structure homa/japa sequences (from subtle to gross) rather than performing offerings as isolated acts.
Khanda Section: Yoga-Tantra / Srishti-krama (Cosmogony and inner ritual visualization)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A practitioner sits before a homa fire while simultaneously visualizing a luminous thread within the body; twelve radiant nodes (dvādaśātman) appear along the thread, and offerings are made in a sequence that mirrors cosmic emanation.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, homa fire in foreground, seated sādhaka with stylized inner sūtra line and twelve glowing discs, rhythmic hand gesture of offering, temple interior with lamps, bold outlines and earthy tones.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, central fire altar with gold leaf flames, sādhaka with halo, twelve gold medallions along a vertical sūtra in the torso, ornate vessels and offerings, rich textile patterns.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clear instructional composition: numbered twelve nodes on the subtle thread, arrows indicating sṛṣṭi-krama, homa ladle mid-action, soft palette and fine detailing.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, intimate ritual chamber, small fire pit, delicate smoke forming a vertical thread with twelve luminous beads, meticulous depiction of utensils and manuscripts, refined calligraphy labels."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Hamsadhwani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: dhyāyet+ca→dhyāyecca; dvādaśa+ātmānam→dvādaśātmānam; tathā+icchayā→tathecchayā (ā+i→e).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 27.27 (twelvefold schemes); Agni Purana 27.28 (reabsorption counterpart); Agni Purana 27.29 (tattva list for sṛṣṭi mapping); Agni Purana 27.31 (homa procedure continuation)
FAQs
It teaches a combined practice of inner visualization (meditating on a ‘twelvefold Self’ in the sūtra-principle and in the body) together with a specific fire-offering protocol called sampāta-vidhi, to be performed following the ordered sequence of cosmic emanation (sṛṣṭi-krama).
It exemplifies the text’s blending of multiple disciplines—cosmogony (sṛṣṭi-krama), yoga psychology (meditation on subtle principles like sūtra), and ritual technology (a named homa procedure)—showing how the Agni Purana integrates metaphysics with practical liturgy.
By aligning meditation and oblation with the cosmic order of creation, the practitioner ritually re-harmonizes the microcosm (body and subtle thread) with the macrocosm (sṛṣṭi), supporting purification, steadiness of mind, and merit generated through correctly ordered sacrificial action.