Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 38
Chapter 303: Mantras for Worship Beginning with the Five-syllable (Pañcākṣara) — पञ्चाक्षरादिपूजामन्त्राः
पुनरुत्पाद्य तत्पाणौ दद्याद्दर्भांश् च मन्त्रितान् पृथिव्यादीनि तत्त्वानि जुहुयाद्धृदयादिभिः
punarutpādya tatpāṇau dadyāddarbhāṃś ca mantritān pṛthivyādīni tattvāni juhuyāddhṛdayādibhiḥ
ثم بعد أن يُعيد إنشاء (القوة الطقسية/البناء الذهني)، يضع في يده عيدان عشب الدَّربها (darbha) المُمكَّنة بالمانترا. ثم، ابتداءً من عنصر الأرض، يقدّم مبادئ العناصر (tattva) في النار مستخدمًا مانترا القلب (hṛdaya) وسائر مانترات الأعضاء (aṅga).
Lord Agni (teaching ritual procedure to the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Empower darbha with mantra, place it in the disciple’s hand, and perform bhuta-shuddhi/tattva-nyasa via homa: offer earth and subsequent tattvas into fire using hridaya and other anga mantras.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Darbha Empowerment and Tattva-Homa (Pṛthivī-ādi with Aṅga-Mantras)","lookup_keywords":["darbha","mantrita","tattva-homa","bhuta-shuddhi","hridaya-mantra"],"quick_summary":"Mantra-charged darbha is given to the disciple, then the elemental principles beginning with earth are offered into the fire using the heart and other limb-mantras to purify and reconstitute the subtle body."}
Concept: Bhuta-shuddhi: purification by resolving gross-to-subtle principles through mantra and homa, aligning the practitioner with a consecrated body-mind.
Application: In initiation or advanced puja, pair external homa with internal visualization of tattva-offering to stabilize concentration and purity.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Homa & Tattva-nyasa / Bhuta-shuddhi ritual procedure)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A guru hands mantra-empowered darbha to the disciple; beside a homa fire, offerings are made representing earth and other elements, with subtle symbols for each tattva rising in the flames.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, close-up of darbha in disciple’s palm, homa fire with stylized elemental icons (earth square, water crescent, fire triangle, air circle, ether dot), bold lines and warm tones.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, richly ornamented homa altar, gold-highlighted flames containing elemental symbols, guru placing darbha in disciple’s hand, ceremonial vessels gleaming.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, didactic layout: sequence of tattva offerings labeled pṛthivī-ādi, guru reciting aṅga-mantras, fine linework and calm instructional clarity.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed ritual paraphernalia, darbha exchange, flames with delicate symbolic motifs for elements, refined interior setting."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Hamsadhwani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पुनरुत्पाद्य = पुनः + उत्पाद्य (ः + उ → रु). दद्याद्दर्भांश् = दद्यात् + दर्भान् (त् + द → द्द). जुहुयाद्धृदयादिभिः = जुहुयात् + हृदयादिभिः (त् + ह → द्ध).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 303 (anga-mantras, homa steps); Agni Purana mantra-nyasa and bhuta-shuddhi related sections
FAQs
It teaches a procedural step in homa: consecrate darbha with mantra, place it in the hand as a ritual implement, and perform tattva-havana—oblations of the elements (starting with earth) using hṛdaya and other aṅga-mantras.
It preserves detailed ritual technology—mantra-empowerment, use of darbha, and element-offerings linked to aṅga-mantras—showing the Agni Purana’s coverage of practical liturgy alongside theology and other sciences.
By offering the tattvas through mantra-guided homa, the practitioner ritually purifies the elemental constitution (bhūta-śuddhi), aligning body-mind with sacred order and accruing merit through correctly performed worship.