Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 43
Chapter 83 — निर्वाणदीक्षाकथनम्
Description of the Nirvāṇa Initiation
पाणिना कुशयुक्तेन अर्चितानन्तरान्तरं चरुन्ततस्तृतीये तु ग्रासत्रितयसम्मितं
pāṇinā kuśayuktena arcitānantarāntaraṃ caruntatastṛtīye tu grāsatritayasammitaṃ
Mit der Hand, die mit Kuśa-Gras versehen ist, soll er das geweihte caru in regelmäßigen Abständen darbringen; und beim dritten Mal soll die Portion drei Bissen (grāsa) entsprechen.
Lord Agni (instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha in ritual procedure)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Homa offering protocol: using kuśa in hand, offering consecrated caru at intervals, and regulating the eater’s/offerer’s portion by mouthful-measure on the third occasion.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Caru offering with kuśa-hand and regulated portions (three grāsa on third)","lookup_keywords":["kuśa-yukta-pāṇi","caru","homa","antarāla","grāsa-traya"],"quick_summary":"Offer the sanctified caru into the fire with a kuśa-equipped hand at set intervals; on the third round/occasion the measured portion corresponds to three mouthfuls."}
Concept: Discipline of measure (mātrā) and timing is itself a spiritual technology in yajña—precision as purity.
Application: Standardize offering intervals and quantities to avoid ritual faults (doṣa) and maintain meditative continuity.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Homa and offerings procedure)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A homa scene: priest holds kuśa in hand, offers ladlefuls of caru into the fire at regular intervals; a third round is marked with a measured three-mouthful equivalent portion.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, blazing homa fire in a square kuṇḍa, priest with kuśa in hand, rhythmic offering sequence suggested by repeated hand positions, ritual vessels nearby, earthy reds and ochres","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-highlighted flames and vessels, priest offering caru with a ladle, kuśa visible, three-portion emphasis shown with three small heaps/bowls, temple lamps","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional clarity: kuśa bundle in hand, labeled intervals, three-grāsa measure depicted as three equal portions, neat composition around the kuṇḍa","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed utensils and textiles, fire-altar with attendants, priest offering at measured moments, three equal portions arranged on a tray to indicate the third occasion"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Hamsadhwani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: arcitānantarāntaraṃ = arcita + anantara-antaram; caruntataḥ = carum + tataḥ; grāsatritayasammitaṃ = grāsa-tritaya-sammitam.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 83 (homa-krama; caru and āhuti measures)
FAQs
It specifies the practical homa method: offer the consecrated caru using the hand associated with kuśa, in measured intervals, and determine the third offering’s quantity as three grāsa (three mouthful-sized portions).
By recording exact operational details—tools (kuśa), offering substance (caru), timing (intervals), and measurement (grāsa)—the text functions like a ritual manual alongside its wider coverage of law, polity, medicine, and arts.
Accuracy in measure and method is treated as essential for the efficacy and purity of homa; disciplined, correctly measured offerings are understood to yield proper ritual merit (puṇya) and successful consecration.