Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 55
Chapter 81 — समयदीक्षाविधानम्
Procedure for Samaya Initiation
शतद्वयञ्च होतव्यं मूलमन्त्रेण पूर्ववत् मूलाद्यष्टास्त्रमन्त्राणां स्वाहान्तैस्तर्पणं सकृत्
śatadvayañca hotavyaṃ mūlamantreṇa pūrvavat mūlādyaṣṭāstramantrāṇāṃ svāhāntaistarpaṇaṃ sakṛt
Zweihundert (Opfergaben) sind wie zuvor mit dem Wurzel-Mantra (mūla-mantra) darzubringen. Danach ist für das Wurzel-Mantra und die acht Waffen-Mantras (astra-mantra), die damit beginnen, einmalig Tarpaṇa (Sättigungsopfer) zu vollziehen, unter Verwendung von Formeln, die mit „svāhā“ enden.
Lord Agni (in instruction to Vasiṣṭha, in the usual Agni Purana dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Specifies homa count (200) with mūla-mantra and prescribes a single tarpaṇa for the mūla and the eight astra-mantras using svāhā-ending formulas.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"200-āhuti mūla-homa and tarpaṇa for mūla + aṣṭāstra-mantras","lookup_keywords":["dviśata homa","mūla-mantra","aṣṭāstra-mantra","svāhā-anta","tarpaṇa"],"quick_summary":"Offer 200 oblations with the root-mantra; then perform one round of satiatory offerings for the root and eight weapon-mantras, each ending with svāhā."}
Weapon Type: Astra (mantra-weapon set)
Concept: Mantra as both worship and protection: mūla for devotion, astra-mantras for ritual security (rakṣā).
Application: After core homa, add a concise tarpaṇa cycle to ‘seal’ the rite with protective astra invocations.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Mantra-homa and Tarpana procedures)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"After a 200-offering homa, the priest performs tarpaṇa for the root-mantra and a set of eight protective weapon-mantras, each punctuated by svāhā.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: homa-kunda with smaller, orderly offerings; around the priest, eight symbolic weapons as mantra-forms (trident, sword, discus-like aura) encircle as protective mandala; earthy palette, stylized flames.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: priest offering into fire; eight weapon emblems arranged like a haloed ring; gold-leaf on weapon motifs and svāhā scroll; ornate vessels and lamps.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: diagrammatic clarity—sequence panel showing 200 āhuti then one tarpaṇa cycle; eight astra icons labeled; soft colors and fine linework.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: ritual courtyard with fire altar; marginalia-like depiction of eight weapon symbols; attendants holding offering bowls; intricate textiles and borders."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":null,"pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: शत + द्वयम् + च → शतद्वयञ्च; मूल + मन्त्रेण → मूलमन्त्रेण; मूल + आदि + अष्ट + अस्त्र + मन्त्राणाम् → मूलाद्यष्टास्त्रमन्त्राणां; स्वाहा + अन्तैः → स्वाहान्तैः.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Puja-vidhi: sections describing mūla-mantra, aṅga/astranyāsa, and tarpaṇa sequences (same khanda context)
FAQs
It prescribes a precise count and sequence in mantra-practice: perform 200 homa oblations with the mūlamantra, then do one round of tarpaṇa for the mūlamantra and the associated eight astra-mantras using “svāhā”-ending formulas.
By giving quantified, procedural ritual details (counts, mantra-grouping, and the svāhā-ending requirement), it exemplifies the Agni Purana’s practical manual-like coverage of worship-technology alongside its wider teachings.
The counted homa and the subsequent tarpaṇa are meant to complete and stabilize the mantra-rite—serving purification, propitiation, and protective empowerment through the astra-mantras within a properly concluded offering sequence.