Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 7
Ācāra
Right Conduct
उपस्पृश्य ततः कुर्यादम्भसः परिमार्जनं हिरण्यवर्णास्तिसृभिः शन्नो देवीति चाप्यथ
upaspṛśya tataḥ kuryādambhasaḥ parimārjanaṃ hiraṇyavarṇāstisṛbhiḥ śanno devīti cāpyatha
Nachdem man ācamana (rituelles Schlucken von Wasser zur Reinigung) vollzogen hat, soll man sich sodann mit Wasser reinigen, indem man sich abwischt oder besprengt, unter Rezitation der drei Verse, die mit «hiraṇyavarṇāḥ» beginnen, sowie auch des Mantras «śanno devī».
Lord Agni (instructional narration to Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purana dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Ācamana-anantara śuddhi: water-sprinkling/wiping purification while reciting specific Vedic mantras to ritually cleanse body and mind before pūjā.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Ācamana-anantara ambhasaḥ parimārjana with Hiraṇyavarṇāḥ & Śanno Devī","lookup_keywords":["ācamana","parimārjana","hiraṇyavarṇāḥ","śanno devī","śuddhi"],"quick_summary":"After ācamana, perform bodily purification by wiping/sprinkling water while reciting the three Hiraṇyavarṇāḥ verses and the Śanno Devī mantra as a preparatory śuddhi for worship."}
Concept: Śuddhi as prerequisite for mantra and pūjā efficacy; external cleansing supports internal sattva.
Application: Perform ācamana then parimārjana with mantra to establish ritual eligibility (adhikāra) for subsequent worship.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Snana–Achamana–Shuddhi / Purificatory rites and mantra-based cleansing)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A worshipper after ācamana gently sprinkles/wipes water over head and limbs, holding a small water vessel (kamaṇḍalu/lotā), reciting Vedic water-purification mantras before beginning pūjā.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, serene pūjā-preparation scene, devotee in white dhoti performing parimārjana with water, subtle sacred aura, minimal background with lamp and kalasha, earthy reds and ochres","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, devotee near a small altar with kalasha and lamp, gold-leaf highlights on vessels and halo-like aura, depiction of water-sprinkling purification, rich jewel tones","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, clean instructional composition showing ācamana completed and parimārjana step, labeled ritual objects (lotā, pañcapātra), delicate lines and soft shading","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly yet devotional interior, figure performing water-sprinkling with fine detail on vessel and textiles, architectural niche and carpet, restrained palette"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: कुर्यादम्भसः = कुर्यात् + अम्भसः; हिरण्यवर्णास्तिसृभिः = हिरण्यवर्णाः + तिसृभिः; देवीति = देवी + इति; चाप्यथ = च + अपि + अथ; शन्नो = शन् + नः (वैदिक संधि/पाठ)
Related Themes: Agni Purana 155 (Pūjā-vidhi: snāna/ācamana/śuddhi sequence)
FAQs
It prescribes the sequence of purification: first ācamana, then parimārjana (ritual cleansing with water), specifically empowered by reciting three “hiraṇyavarṇāḥ” verses and the “śanno devī” mantra.
By codifying precise, mantra-linked micro-procedures of daily/ceremonial purity (śauca) used across pūjā and saṃskāras, it showcases the Agni Purana’s practical ritual manual character alongside its broader teachings.
Ācamana and mantra-infused water cleansing are treated as removing ritual impurity and aligning the practitioner with auspicious, sattvic conditions—supporting merit (puṇya) and eligibility for worship and mantra practice.