Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 17
Chapter 24 — कुण्डनिर्माणादिविधिः
Procedure for Constructing the Fire-pit and Related Rites
स्रुवन्तु हस्तमात्रं स्याद्दण्डकेन समन्वितं वटुकं द्व्यङ्गुलं वृत्तं कर्तव्यन्तु सुशोभनं
sruvantu hastamātraṃ syāddaṇḍakena samanvitaṃ vaṭukaṃ dvyaṅgulaṃ vṛttaṃ kartavyantu suśobhanaṃ
Die sruva (Opferschöpfkelle) soll handlang sein und mit einem Griff versehen werden. Ihre Schale (vaṭuka) ist rund zu gestalten, im Maß von zwei Fingerbreiten, und sauber sowie ansprechend auszuarbeiten.
Lord Agni (in instruction to Sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Standardizing the construction of a homa implement (sruva): ensuring correct length, handle attachment, and bowl size/shape for safe, efficient oblation offering.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Sruva-lakṣaṇa (homa ladle dimensions and form)","lookup_keywords":["sruva","homa","daṇḍa","vaṭuka","dvy-aṅgula"],"quick_summary":"Make the sruva one hand-length with a handle; form a neat round bowl (vaṭuka) of two aṅgulas to pour offerings cleanly into the fire."}
Concept: Ritual efficacy is supported by correct upakaraṇa (implements) made to measure—outer precision serving inner intention.
Application: Prepare standardized sruva dimensions to avoid spillage/burning and to maintain consistent offering quantity in homa.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Agni-karya / Homa-vidhi implements)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A homa setting with a crafted sruva: hand-length ladle with a handle and a small round bowl of two aṅgulas; the artisan presents it near a fire-altar.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, homa scene with altar and flames, sruva prominently shown with clear proportions, priest and artisan figures, traditional reds/ochres, sacred ambience.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, sruva and homa-kunda centered with gold highlights on the ladle and flames, rich decorative borders, devotional ritual atmosphere.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional depiction of sruva with labeled hasta-mātra length and 2-aṅgula round vaṭuka, alongside a simple homa-kunda diagram.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly patron observing a priest’s homa, detailed rendering of the sruva in hand, fine flame textures, delicate linework and balanced composition."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: स्रुवन्तु = स्रुवम् + तु; स्याद्दण्डकेन = स्यात् + दण्डकेन; द्व्यङ्गुलम् = द्वि + अङ्गुलम्; कर्तव्यन्तु = कर्तव्यम् + तु.
Related Themes: Agni Purana (Pūjā-vidhi/Homa-vidhi implement lists in the same khanda); Agni Purana (Agni-kārya and dravya/upakaraṇa descriptions elsewhere)
FAQs
It specifies the correct construction standards for the homa-ladle (sruva): overall hand-length, a fitted handle, and a round bowl sized at two aṅgulas—practical guidance for accurate offerings in fire-rituals.
Beyond theology, it preserves precise technical standards—tools, measurements, and craftsmanship—for ritual performance, showing the Agni Purana’s coverage of applied liturgy alongside doctrine.
Using properly proportioned and well-made ritual implements supports correct homa procedure, which is traditionally held to enhance purity (śuddhi), effectiveness of offerings, and the intended religious merit (puṇya).