Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 40
Chapter 34 — होमादिविधिः
The Procedure for Homa and Related Rites
व्याहृत्या पद्ममध्यस्थं ध्यायेद्वह्निन्तु संस्कृतम् वैष्णवं सप्तजिह्वं च सूर्यकोटिसमप्रभम्
vyāhṛtyā padmamadhyasthaṃ dhyāyedvahnintu saṃskṛtam vaiṣṇavaṃ saptajihvaṃ ca sūryakoṭisamaprabham
Nachdem man die heiligen vyāhṛti gesprochen hat, meditiere man über das geweihte Feuer als im Zentrum eines Lotus verweilend—von vaiṣṇavischer Natur, siebenzüngig und strahlend wie zehn Millionen Sonnen.
Lord Agni (instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purana dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Agni-dhyāna for homa: after vyāhṛti utterance, visualize consecrated Vaishnava Fire seated in a lotus, seven-tongued, with immense solar radiance—used to ‘install’ the devatā in the flame before offerings.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Vaiṣṇava Agni-dhyāna: Lotus-seated, Seven-tongued, Koṭi-sūrya-prabhā","lookup_keywords":["agni-dhyana","vyahriti","vaishnava-agni","sapta-jihva","koti-surya-prabha"],"quick_summary":"Invoke the vyāhṛtis and meditate on the sanctified Fire as Vaishnava, dwelling in a lotus center, seven-tongued and blazing like countless suns; this visualization empowers the homa as a deity-centered rite."}
Alamkara Type: Atiśayokti
Concept: Dhyāna as saṃskāra: the deity-form of Fire is established by mantra (vyāhṛti) and visualization, transforming physical flame into a conscious ritual locus.
Application: Before offerings, hold a steady inner image of lotus-seated, seven-tongued Agni to intensify attention and perceived sanctity of the rite.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Agni-dhyana (Fire-meditation within Vaishnava-tantric ritual context)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A blazing consecrated fire rising from a lotus at the altar’s center; seven distinct flame-tongues; the entire scene flooded with sun-like brilliance as the priest chants vyāhṛtis in a Vaishnava ritual setting.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, central lotus with Agni-flames emerging, seven flame tongues clearly separated, intense yet stylized radiance, priest chanting vyāhṛtis, Vaishnava symbols subtly present, saturated reds and ochres","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, lotus and flames with heavy gold leaf, seven tongues highlighted in gold, halo like many suns, devotional composition with ornate borders","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, refined linework: lotus-centered fire diagram, seven tongues labeled, priest in calm posture chanting vyāhṛtis, luminous gradient suggesting koṭi-sūrya radiance","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, dramatic light effects: lotus at center, seven flame tongues, surrounding figures shaded by intense glow, delicate architectural background, calligraphic vyāhṛti band"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Hamsadhwani","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ध्यायेत्+वह्निम्→ध्यायेद्वह्निम्; वह्निम्+तु→वह्निन्तु; पद्ममध्यस्थम्=पद्म+मध्यस्थम्; सप्तजिह्वम्=सप्त+जिह्वम्; सूर्यकोटिसमप्रभम्=सूर्य+कोटि+सम+प्रभम्
Related Themes: Agni Purana 34 (Agni-dhyāna, vyāhṛti usage, homa consecration)
FAQs
It teaches a specific dhyāna-krama (meditative procedure) for ritual fire: after reciting the vyāhṛtis, visualize the saṃskṛta (consecrated) Agni in a lotus-center form, marked by seven flames and immense solar radiance.
Beyond mythology, it preserves applied liturgical technology—mantra sequencing (vyāhṛti), iconographic visualization (lotus-seat), and doctrinal mapping (Vaiṣṇava quality of Agni)—showing the text’s coverage of practical worship-science alongside broader puranic subjects.
Meditating on Agni as consecrated and Vaiṣṇava-pure is intended to refine the worshipper’s intention, purify the rite, and align the sacrifice/puja with sattvic preservation-energy, thereby supporting inner cleansing and merit (puṇya) through correctly formed contemplation.