Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 15
Dīkṣāvidhi-kathana
Explanation of the Rite of Initiation
शिष्यैः सह चतुर्थं तु गुरुरद्याद्विशुद्धये नारायणेन सम्मन्त्र्य सप्तधा क्षीरवृक्षजम्
śiṣyaiḥ saha caturthaṃ tu gururadyādviśuddhaye nārāyaṇena sammantrya saptadhā kṣīravṛkṣajam
Dann soll der Guru zusammen mit den Schülern den vierten Anteil zur Reinigung verzehren, nachdem er Nārāyaṇa ordnungsgemäß mit Mantra angerufen hat; und (dazu) den milchigen Saft eines latexführenden Baumes, in sieben Teile geteilt, zu sich nehmen.
Lord Agni (in narration to a sage, traditionally Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vrata","secondary_vidya":"Ayurveda","practical_application":"Initiatory/ritual purification by consuming the fourth share with disciples after mantra-invocation of Nārāyaṇa; use of a latex-bearing tree’s milky exudate (kṣīra-vṛkṣaja) divided into seven portions as a regulated purificatory intake.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Purificatory partaking: fourth share with Nārāyaṇa-mantra and kṣīra-vṛkṣa exudate (sevenfold)","lookup_keywords":["viśuddhi","kṣīra-vṛkṣa","kṣīra-vṛkṣaja","saptadhā","Nārāyaṇa-mantra"],"quick_summary":"For purification, the guru with disciples consumes the fourth portion after invoking Nārāyaṇa; the milky exudate from a latex-bearing tree is taken in seven regulated parts, emphasizing measured, sanctified intake."}
Concept: Śuddhi through regulated consumption (niyama) combined with mantra—outer discipline supporting inner clarity.
Application: In initiatory observances, keep food/ritual remnants apportioned, consumed collectively under guidance, and accompanied by mantra to reinforce saṅkalpa and restraint.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Ritual Purification and Initiatory Observances)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A guru seated with disciples in a ritual hall, after homa, dividing a milky exudate into seven small portions and consuming the fourth share with a Nārāyaṇa invocation.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, guru and disciples seated in semicircle, small bowls arranged in seven, white milky substance depicted, lamp-lit yajña-śālā, Vaishnava symbols, flat stylized faces and ornate borders.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, guru central with gold halo, disciples around, seven small cups on a tray with gold embossing, conch and chakra motifs, rich reds/greens, gold-leaf highlights on vessels.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional composition: tray with seven portions clearly shown, guru indicating the fourth portion, disciples attentive, soft colors and fine linework, captions for ‘saptadhā’ and ‘Nārāyaṇa’.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, refined interior with carpets, guru distributing seven portions from a small vessel, disciples in attentive poses, delicate rendering of bowls and calligraphic mantra panel ‘Nārāyaṇa’."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Anandabhairavi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: गुरुरद्याद्विशुद्धये = गुरुः + अद्यात् + विशुद्धये
Related Themes: Agni Purana 27 (Ritual purification and initiatory observances)
FAQs
It gives a precise śuddhi (purification) protocol: the guru, together with disciples, consecrates an item from a latex-bearing tree by Nārāyaṇa-mantra and consumes a designated portion (the “fourth share”), with the substance arranged in seven parts.
It exemplifies the text’s procedural detail—combining mantra-application, portioning rules (fourth share; sevenfold division), and material specifications (kṣīra-vṛkṣaja)—showing how the Agni Purana preserves practical ritual manuals alongside theology.
The act is explicitly aimed at viśuddhi (inner and ritual purity); invoking Nārāyaṇa and following measured portions frames the consumption as a sanctified rite that supports eligibility for further worship, vows, or initiatory practices.