Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 39
Chapter 34 — होमादिविधिः
The Procedure for Homa and Related Rites
ईशान्तं मूलमन्त्रेण आज्यभागौ तु होमयेत् उत्तरे द्वादशान्तेन दक्षिणे तेन मध्यतः
īśāntaṃ mūlamantreṇa ājyabhāgau tu homayet uttare dvādaśāntena dakṣiṇe tena madhyataḥ
ঈশান-অন্ত মূলমন্ত্রে দুটা আজ্যভাগ হোম কৰিব। উত্তৰ ফালে ‘দ্বাদশান্ত’ সূত্ৰে, দক্ষিণ ফালেও সেই একে সূত্ৰে, আৰু মধ্যতো তদ্ৰূপে অৰ্পণ কৰিব।
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Directional placement of ājya-bhāga offerings using the mūla-mantra with an Īśāna-ending; apply dvādaśānta formula at north, south, and center positions around the fire.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Ājya-bhāga-homa with Īśāna-anta Mūla-mantra and Dvādaśānta by Dik","lookup_keywords":["ajya-bhaga","ishana-anta","mula-mantra","dvadasanta","uttara-dakshina-madhya"],"quick_summary":"Offer the two ghee-portions with the root-mantra concluding in Īśāna; perform the dvādaśānta-associated offering placements on the northern, southern, and central loci of the fire for dik-śuddhi and mantra-siddhi."}
Concept: Dik-bandhana and mantra-nyāsa logic: space is sacralized through directional offerings; Īśāna signifies auspicious culmination and upward transcendence.
Application: When performing homa, mark north/south/center offerings distinctly to avoid ritual ‘doṣa’ and to stabilize the intended devatā-bhāva.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Homa and Mantra-prayoga / Isana-kalpa)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A homa altar with clearly marked north and south sides; the priest offers two ghee portions while invoking an Īśāna-ending mantra; three offering points (north, south, center) glow as the dvādaśānta formula is applied.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, geometric altar with compass-like markings, priest pouring ghee in two measured portions, three glowing loci around the fire (uttara, dakṣiṇa, madhya), subtle Īśāna symbol above","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-highlighted directional markers, two ghee offerings rendered as twin golden streams, central lotus/fire motif, ornate ritual vessels","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style instructional diagram aesthetic: labeled directions, priest demonstrating placement, dvādaśānta points emphasized with delicate halos, clean composition","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, top-down clarity of altar layout, attendants indicating north/south, priest offering ghee portions, fine calligraphic mantra strip suggesting Īśāna ending"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: मूलमन्त्रेण=मूल+मन्त्रेण; आज्यभागौ=आज्य+भागौ
Related Themes: Agni Purana 34 (Īśāna-kalpa, mūla-mantra prayoga, ājya-bhāga)
FAQs
It specifies a homa procedure: offering the two prescribed ghee-portions (ājyabhāga) using the mūlamantra, with direction-specific placement (north, south, and center) and a technical mantra-ending/formula termed ‘dvādaśānta’.
It preserves precise liturgical mechanics—mantra selection (mūlamantra), oblation type (ājya), and spatial ritual protocol (uttara/dakṣiṇa/madhya)—showing the Purana’s coverage of practical temple-and-fire-ritual technique alongside theology.
Correctly performed, directionally ordered oblations with the proper mantra are held to purify the rite, align it with Īśāna’s auspicious protection, and secure the intended merit (puṇya) and efficacy (siddhi) of the homa.