Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 29
Chapter 34 — होमादिविधिः
The Procedure for Homa and Related Rites
प्रणीताप्रोक्षणीपात्रे न्यसेत् प्रागग्रगं कुशम् अद्भिः पूर्यप्रणीतान्तु ध्यात्वा देवं प्रपूज्य च
praṇītāprokṣaṇīpātre nyaset prāgagragaṃ kuśam adbhiḥ pūryapraṇītāntu dhyātvā devaṃ prapūjya ca
In die praṇītā- und prokṣaṇī-Gefäße legt man einen Halm Kuśa-Gras, dessen Spitze nach Osten weist. Nachdem man dann das praṇītā-Gefäß mit Wasser gefüllt hat, meditiere man über die Gottheit und verehre Ihn ordnungsgemäß.
Lord Agni (instructional narration to Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vrata","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Directs how to prepare the praṇītā and prokṣaṇī: place east-pointing kuśa, fill praṇītā with water, then perform deity-dhyāna and pūjā before proceeding—linking physical purity with mental consecration.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Praṇītā–Prokṣaṇī saṃskāra: kuśa-prāgagra and jalapūraṇa with dhyāna-pūjā","lookup_keywords":["kuśa prāgagra","praṇītā jalapūraṇa","prokṣaṇī","dhyāna","pūjā"],"quick_summary":"Insert a kuśa blade with its tip to the east into the water vessels, fill the praṇītā with water, and only then proceed after meditating on and worshipping the deity."}
Concept: Outer ritual purification (water/kuśa) is completed by inner purification (dhyāna) and devotion (pūjā).
Application: Before any sacred act, align directionality and purity of tools, then stabilize mind through brief dhyāna and īśvara-smaraṇa.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Agni-vidhi / Homa and Abhisheka Procedures)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"The priest places a single kuśa blade into two water vessels with its tip facing east, pours water into the praṇītā, then sits briefly in meditation before the fire altar.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, priest inserting prāgagra kuśa into twin vessels, blue water rendered stylized, priest then shown in dhyāna posture facing east, agni-kuṇḍa glowing, ornate borders.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold highlights on vessels and halo-like aura during dhyāna, kuśa blade clearly visible, calm devotional atmosphere with rich reds and greens.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, step-by-step visual: kuśa placement, water filling, then seated meditation; delicate lines, soft pastel background, instructional clarity.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, intimate pavilion scene: priest carefully placing kuśa into water pots, then meditating; fine detailing of grass texture, reflective metal vessels, patterned carpet."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: प्रणीताप्रोक्षणीपात्रे = प्रणीता-पात्रे + प्रोक्षणी-पात्रे (द्वन्द्व, सप्तमी द्विवचन); पूर्य + प्रणीताम् + तु → पूर्यप्रणीतान्तु.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 34 (dhyāna and pūjā steps around homa)
FAQs
It gives a procedural rule for setting kuśa in the praṇītā/prokṣaṇī vessels (with the tip facing east), filling the praṇītā with water, and completing the step with deity-meditation and formal worship before sprinkling/purificatory use.
Alongside theology, the Agni Purāṇa preserves highly specific liturgical micro-instructions—orientation (east-pointing), named implements (praṇītā, prokṣaṇī), and sequence (placement → filling → dhyāna → pūjā)—showing its coverage of practical ritual technology, not only narratives.
Correct orientation and preparation of consecrated water and kuśa are treated as purification-enablers; performing the step with dhyāna and pūjā sacralizes the implements, supporting ritual purity (śuddhi) and the intended merit (puṇya) of the rite.