Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 38

Devanagari script

स्वाहान्तशिवमन्त्रेण कुशपुष्पाक्षतान्वितं शिवायार्घ्याञ्जलिन्दत्वा गायत्रीं शक्तितो जपेत्

Transliteration

svāhāntaśivamantreṇa kuśapuṣpākṣatānvitaṃ śivāyārghyāñjalindatvā gāyatrīṃ śaktito japet

Translation

Mit einem Śiva-Mantra, das auf „svāhā“ endet, und begleitet von Kuśa-Gras, Blumen und ungebrochenen Reiskörnern, nachdem man Śiva in hohl gefalteten Händen Arghya dargebracht hat, soll man die Gāyatrī nach eigener Kraft rezitieren.

Word by Word

• svāhā-anta-śiva-mantrena: with the Śiva-mantra ending in ‘svāhā’
• svāhā-anta-śiva-mantrena: Karaṇa (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: svāhā (प्रातिपदिक/अव्यय-शब्द) + anta (प्रातिपदिक) + śiva (प्रातिपदिक) + mantra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Tṛtīyā (3rd/Instrumental), Ekavacana; तत्पुरुषः (स्वाहान्तः शिवमन्त्रः)

• kuśa-puṣpa-akṣata-anvitam: accompanied by kuśa grass, flowers, and unbroken rice
• kuśa-puṣpa-akṣata-anvitam: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kuśa (प्रातिपदिक) + puṣpa (प्रातिपदिक) + akṣata (प्रातिपदिक) + anvita (कृदन्त, √i/√vī?; lexical ‘endowed’)
• Form: Napumsaka, Dvitīyā (2nd/Accusative), Ekavacana; विशेषणम् to ‘arghyāñjaliṃ’; समासः—द्वन्द्वः (कुश-पुष्प-अक्षत) + तत्पुरुष/कर्मधारय with ‘anvita’ (युक्तम्)

• śivāya: to Śiva
• śivāya: Sampradāna (सम्प्रदान/Recipient)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śiva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Caturthī (4th/Dative), Ekavacana

• arghya-añjalim: a handful of arghya-offering
• arghya-añjalim: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: arghya (प्रातिपदिक) + añjali (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Dvitīyā (2nd/Accusative), Ekavacana; तत्पुरुषः (अर्घ्यस्य अञ्जलिः = ‘handful offering’)

• datvā: having offered
• datvā: Pūrvakāla-kriyā (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √dā (धातु)
• Form: Kṛdanta: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वा); ‘having given/offered’

• gāyatrīm: the Gāyatrī (mantra)
• gāyatrīm: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: gāyatrī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Dvitīyā (2nd/Accusative), Ekavacana

• śakti-taḥ: as per one’s ability
• śakti-taḥ: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण/Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: śakti (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Avyaya; adverbial ablative (तस्) = ‘according to one’s capacity’

• japet: one should recite
• japet: Kriyā (क्रिया/Predicate)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √jap (धातु)
• Form: Vidhiliṅ (Optative), Parasmaipada; Prathama-puruṣa (3rd person), Ekavacana

Speaker

Lord Agni (instructing sage Vasiṣṭha in ritual procedure)

Vidya Category

Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Shaiva pūjā sequence: offer arghya to Śiva with ritual materials while using a svāhā-ending Śiva-mantra, then recite Gāyatrī as capacity permits.","sutra_style":true}

Encyclopedic Reference

Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Śiva-arghya with svāhā-ending mantra; Gāyatrī-japa","lookup_keywords":["śiva-mantra","svāhā","arghya","kuśa-puṣpa-akṣata","gāyatrī-japa"],"quick_summary":"Offer arghya to Śiva with kuśa, flowers, and akṣata while reciting a Śiva-mantra ending in svāhā; afterward, perform Gāyatrī-japa according to one’s strength and time."}

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Mantra + upacāra (offerings) + regulated japa forms a complete worship-technology; ‘yathāśakti’ emphasizes sustainable practice over strain.

Application: Maintain consistency: simple arghya with correct materials and mantra, then steady Gāyatrī-japa within one’s capacity.

Khanda Section

Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Shaiva Mantra-japa and Arghya procedures)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhakti

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Visual Art Cues

Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A devotee offers arghya to a Śiva-liṅga with cupped hands, kuśa grass, flowers, and akṣata visible; then sits for Gāyatrī-japa with a rosary.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: Śiva-liṅga shrine with lamp glow; devotee offering arghya with kuśa and flowers, then seated in japa posture; rich earthy tones, sacred stillness.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: Śiva-liṅga adorned, gold leaf on ornaments and lamp; devotee holding arghya añjali with kuśa-puṣpa-akṣata, radiant devotional focus, ornate arch framing.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: precise depiction of ritual items—kuśa, flowers, akṣata, arghya vessel; devotee transitions to japa, clean composition suitable for instructional illustration.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: intimate temple alcove, detailed textiles and vessels; devotee offering arghya to Śiva, then counting beads for Gāyatrī, fine architectural detailing."}

Audio Atmosphere

Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"devotional"}

Sandhi Resolution Notes

Sandhi Resolution Notes: svāhāntaśivamantreṇa = svāhā-anta-śiva-mantrena; kuśapuṣpākṣatānvitaṃ = kuśa-puṣpa-akṣata-anvitam; śivāyārghyāñjalindatvā = śivāya + arghya-añjalim + datvā (a+a sandhi; m+d → nd orthographic).

Cross References

Related Themes: Agni Purana 72 (Pūjā-vidhi: arghya and japa sequence); Agni Purana mantra and pūjā procedural chapters (general)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Svāhā
• Kuśa
• Akṣata
• Arghya
• Gāyatrī

FAQs

What technical or ritual knowledge (Vidya) is imparted in this verse?

It teaches a specific Shaiva japa-sequence: use a Śiva mantra ending in “svāhā,” prepare ritual accompaniments (kuśa, flowers, akṣata), offer arghya in añjali to Śiva, and then perform Gāyatrī-japa as per one’s capacity.

How does this verse contribute to the 'Encyclopedic' nature of the Agni Purana?

It exemplifies the Agni Purana’s manual-like coverage of practical worship—detailing implements, offerings, and mantra-application—alongside its broader subjects, thereby functioning as a compact ritual handbook within an encyclopedic Purana.

What is the spiritual or karmic significance of this specific instruction?

The verse frames worship as disciplined, respectful offering (arghya) followed by mantra-recitation (japa), implying purification and merit through correct ritual conduct and sincere practice within one’s means (śaktitaḥ).