Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 14
Kapilādipūjāvidhāna — Procedure for Worship Beginning with Kapilā
ठः अन्यार्धमिति ख, चिह्नितपुस्तकपाठः अन्त्यार्धमिति ङ, चिह्नितपुस्तकपाठः निधानायोपकल्पयेदिति च, ङ, चिह्नितपुस्तकद्वयपाठः हृदि स्थानमतिक्रमेदिति ग, चिह्नितपुस्तकपाठः कादिस्थानमतिक्रमादिति ख, चिह्नितपुस्तकपाठः हामग्नये खिष्टिकृते पूर्वादावर्चयेदिमान् स्वाहान्तामाहुतिं दत्वा क्षमयित्वा विसर्जयेत्
ṭhaḥ anyārdhamiti kha, cihnitapustakapāṭhaḥ antyārdhamiti ṅa, cihnitapustakapāṭhaḥ nidhānāyopakalpayediti ca, ṅa, cihnitapustakadvayapāṭhaḥ hṛdi sthānamatikramediti ga, cihnitapustakapāṭhaḥ kādisthānamatikramāditi kha, cihnitapustakapāṭhaḥ hāmagnaye khiṣṭikṛte pūrvādāvarcayedimān svāhāntāmāhutiṃ datvā kṣamayitvā visarjayet
Für die Silbe ṭha lesen einige markierte Handschriften „die andere Hälfte“, während andere „die letzte Hälfte“ lesen; und in zwei markierten Handschriften findet sich die Lesart: „man soll es zur Niederlegung (nidhāna) bereiten“. Einige Handschriften lesen: „man soll die Platzierung im Herzen nicht überschreiten“, während andere lesen: „(es geschieht) durch Überschreiten der Stelle, die mit ka beginnt“. Nachdem die vorgeschriebene Anordnung vollzogen ist, soll man diese (Silben/Platzierungen) beginnend im Osten verehren; sodann, nachdem man Agni eine mit „svāhā“ endende Opfergabe dargebracht hat, soll man um Vergebung bitten und (Ritus/Gottheit) förmlich entlassen.
Lord Agni (instructional narration in Agni Purana, addressed to the primary interlocutor traditionally identified as Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vyakarana","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Text-critical handling of mantra/nyāsa syllables (e.g., ṭha) and their placement rules; then practical closure of rite: directional worship, svāhā-ending oblation to Agni, kṣamā-prārthanā (forgiveness), and visarjana (formal dismissal).","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Manuscript variants in varṇa-sthāna/nyāsa and homa closure (svāhā, kṣamā, visarjana)","lookup_keywords":["ṭha-variant","kādi-sthāna","hṛdi-sthāna","svāhā-āhuti","kṣamā-visarjana"],"quick_summary":"Records variant readings about syllable placement (heart-position vs kādi sequence) and material portioning, then prescribes the standard ritual wrap-up: worship by directions, offer svāhā oblation to Agni, request forgiveness, and dismiss the invoked powers."}
Concept: Apacāra-śamana: acknowledging possible errors and restoring harmony through kṣamā-prārthanā and proper visarjana; also fidelity to śāstra via careful paṭha selection.
Application: When variants exist, follow a consistent paddhati/ācārya line; always conclude rites with svāhā oblation, forgiveness prayer, and formal dismissal to avoid ritual incompleteness.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Agni-homa and mantra-nyasa (ritual procedure with manuscript variants)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A manuscript scholar-priest compares palm-leaf manuscripts noting variant readings for a syllable placement; then he performs east-first directional worship, offers a final svāhā oblation into the fire, bows in forgiveness, and dismisses the rite.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, split scene: left—priest with palm-leaf manuscripts and stylus, right—homa hearth with east-direction marker, final oblation and añjali for kṣamā, flat iconic layout","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, gold accents on manuscripts and fire, priest performing final svāhā offering, ornate directional motifs around, concluding bow and visarjana gesture, rich temple framing","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional sequence panels: (1) paṭhāntara comparison, (2) east-first worship, (3) svāhā āhuti, (4) kṣamā-prārthanā, (5) visarjana; fine lines and clarity","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, scholar-priest in a library-like setting with manuscripts, then a detailed homa scene with final offering, attendants, and a respectful concluding bow; delicate calligraphy-like annotations in margins"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":null,"pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: anyārdhamiti = अन्य + अर्धम् + इति; antyārdhamiti = अन्त्य + अर्धम् + इति; निधानाय + उपकल्पयेत् → निधानायोपकल्पयेत्; स्थानम् + अतिक्रमेत् → स्थानमतिक्रमेत्; कादिस्थानम् + अतिक्रमात् → कादिस्थानमतिक्रमात्; अर्चयेत् + इमान् → अर्चयेदिमान्; स्वाहा + अन्ताम् + आहुतिम् → स्वाहान्तामाहुतिम्
Related Themes: Agni Purana 77 (mātṛkā/varṇa-nyāsa and homa-prayoga closure portions)
FAQs
It gives a procedural homa/nyāsa instruction: worship the prescribed placements beginning from the east, offer a ‘svāhā’-ending oblation to Agni, then perform kṣamāpanā (asking forgiveness for mistakes) and conclude with visarjana (formal dismissal).
It preserves practical ritual mechanics (directional arcana order, oblation formula, expiation, dismissal) while also recording manuscript-variant readings—showing the text’s breadth across ritual science and its transmission history.
Offering with ‘svāhā’ completes the sacrificial act, kṣamāpanā mitigates faults in recitation or procedure, and visarjana ensures the invoked power is respectfully withdrawn—supporting ritual purity and intended merit (puṇya).