Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 1
Chapter 34 — होमादिविधिः
The Procedure for Homa and Related Rites
इत्य् आदिमहापुराणे आग्नेये पवित्रारोहणे श्रीधरनित्यपूजाकथनं नाम त्रयस्त्रिंशोध्यायः अथ चतुस्त्रिंशो ऽध्यायः होमादिविधिः अग्निर् उवाच विशेदनेन मन्त्रेण यागस्थानञ्च भूषयेत् नमो ब्रह्मण्यदेवाय श्रीधरायाव्ययात्मने
ity ādimahāpurāṇe āgneye pavitrārohaṇe śrīdharanityapūjākathanaṃ nāma trayastriṃśodhyāyaḥ atha catustriṃśo 'dhyāyaḥ homādividhiḥ agnir uvāca viśedanena mantreṇa yāgasthānañca bhūṣayet namo brahmaṇyadevāya śrīdharāyāvyayātmane
এইভাবে আদিমহাপুরাণ অগ্নিপুরাণে পবিত্রারোহণ-প্রকরণে ‘শ্রীধরের নিত্যপূজার বিবরণ’ নামক তেত্রিশতম অধ্যায় সমাপ্ত হল। অতঃপর চৌত্রিশতম অধ্যায়—‘হোমাদি বিধি’। অগ্নি বললেন—বিশেদন (শুদ্ধি/প্রোক্ষণ) মন্ত্র দ্বারা যাগস্থানকে ভূষিত তথা সংস্কৃত করবে। ব্রাহ্মণ-অনুকূল দেব, অব্যয়-স্বরূপ শ্রীধরকে নমস্কার।
Lord Agni
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Marks chapter transition into homa-vidhi and instructs purification/adorning of the yāga-sthāna using a prokṣaṇa/viśodhana mantra, followed by a salutation mantra to Brahmaṇya-deva Śrīdhara.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Homa-vidhi Praveśa: Viśodhana-mantra Prokṣaṇa and Yāga-sthāna Bhūṣaṇa","lookup_keywords":["homa-vidhi","viśodhana-mantra","prokṣaṇa","yāga-sthāna","brahmaṇya-deva"],"quick_summary":"Before homa, the sacrificial ground is ritually purified and prepared with a sprinkling/purification mantra; worship begins with a salutation to Śrīdhara as the imperishable Brahmaṇya deity."}
Concept: Ritual technology: sanctification of space (adhiṣṭhāna-śuddhi) precedes offering; mantra frames the deity as imperishable essence and protector of brahminical order.
Application: Begin homa by cleaning, sprinkling, and adorning the altar area; anchor the rite with a clear opening salutation mantra to establish focus and auspiciousness.
Khanda Section: Pūjā-vidhi / Agni Purāṇa Ritual Manual (Homa, Yajña, and Śrīdhara worship)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A freshly prepared yajña space is sprinkled for purification; the altar is decorated; the officiant recites ‘namo brahmaṇya-devāya…’ to Śrīdhara as the homa begins.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: wide yajña-maṇḍapa scene; priest sprinkling sanctified water with kuśa; decorated altar with lamps and garlands; Śrīdhara invoked in a radiant aura panel; bold lines, earthy reds and ochres.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: ornate altar and priest in foreground; Śrīdhara as central icon with gold leaf halo; rich temple arch motifs; ritual vessels rendered with metallic highlights.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: clean, didactic depiction of yāga-sthāna layout; priest performing prokṣaṇa; labeled implements (kuśa, kalaśa, pātra); soft shading and precise ornament.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: detailed pavilion with geometric floor; priest sprinkling water; attendants arranging flowers; calligraphic cartouche with the salutation mantra; fine border illumination."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ity = iti; trayastriṃśodhyāyaḥ = trayastriṃśaḥ adhyāyaḥ; catustriṃśo 'dhyāyaḥ = catustriṃśaḥ adhyāyaḥ; yāgasthānañca = yāga-sthānam ca; śrīdharāyāvyayātmane = śrīdharāya avyayātmane; namo takes dative.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 33 (Pavitrārohaṇa; Śrīdhara-nitya-pūjā conclusion); Agni Purana 34 (Homa-ādi-vidhi sequence to follow)
FAQs
It introduces homa-vidhi and instructs that the yajña-site should first be purified/sanctified using a specific cleansing (sprinkling) mantra, then properly arranged/adorned before the rite proceeds.
It shifts from daily Viṣṇu worship (nitya-pūjā) to procedural ritual science (homa and altar preparation), showing the text’s systematic coverage of practical liturgy alongside devotional theology.
Purifying and properly preparing the yajña-space is treated as a prerequisite for ritual efficacy—aligning the act with dharma and invoking Śrīdhara as the imperishable protector, thereby supporting purity (śuddhi) and merit (puṇya) in worship.