Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 24
Pratiṣṭhā-Kalaśa-Śodhana-Ukti (Instruction on Purifying the Consecration Pitcher) — Chapter 85
शिरसा पाशशैथिल्ये निष्कृत्यैवं शतं जपेत् एवं पाशवियोगे ऽपि ततः शास्त्रजप्तया
śirasā pāśaśaithilye niṣkṛtyaivaṃ śataṃ japet evaṃ pāśaviyoge 'pi tataḥ śāstrajaptayā
Zum Lockern der Schlinge (Bindung) des pāśa soll man, nachdem man auf diese Weise die Sühnehandlung vollzogen hat, (das Mantra) hundertmal mit geneigtem Haupt (in Ehrfurcht) rezitieren. Ebenso wird auch die völlige Lösung von der Bindung danach durch Rezitation gemäß der Vorschrift des śāstra bewirkt.
Lord Agni (in instruction to Vasiṣṭha, the standard Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Japa-prayoga for loosening and severing pāśa (bond/noose): perform prescribed expiation, then recite 100 times with head-bowing; final release achieved by śāstra-directed japa.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Pāśa-śaithilya and pāśa-viyoga by śata-japa","lookup_keywords":["pāśa-śaithilya","pāśa-viyoga","śata-japa","śirasā japa","niṣkṛti"],"quick_summary":"After the prescribed expiatory act, chant the mantra one hundred times with reverential head-bowing to loosen the bond; complete release is then accomplished through śāstra-prescribed recitation."}
Concept: Bondage (pāśa) is addressed through niṣkṛti (rectification) and disciplined repetition (japa) under śāstric rule; reverence (śirasā) supports inner surrender and efficacy.
Application: For ‘binding’ obstacles—ritual, psychological, or vow-related—follow a two-step protocol: (1) corrective act, (2) fixed-count japa (100) with humility; then continue as per the authoritative procedure for full release.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Mantra-prayoga (Ritual procedure and mantra application)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A practitioner performs an expiatory rite, then bows the head repeatedly while counting 100 recitations; a visible noose around a symbolic figure loosens and falls away as the japa continues.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, sādhaka near a small fire altar, repeated head-bowing posture, rosary in hand, a stylized pāśa (noose) motif unraveling into lotus petals, strong reds and ochres, temple border designs","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, gold-highlighted noose breaking into fragments, sādhaka with mālā and lamp, count-markers subtly shown, radiant protective aura, ornate frame","mysore_prompt":"Mysore, instructional scene with clear counting (mālā beads), sequence showing noose loosening then release, calm palette, emphasis on gesture ‘śirasā’ (head reverence)","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, intimate interior with prayer mat and rosary, a symbolic bound figure in a corner vignette becoming unbound, fine detailing and calligraphic panel noting ‘śata-japa’"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"solemn","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: Resolved: पाशशैथिल्ये → पाश-शैथिल्ये; निष्कृत्यैवम् → निष्कृत्य + एवम्; पाशवियोगेऽपि → पाश-वियोगे + अपि.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 85 (pāśa/bandha-mokṣa related prayogas; japa counts and nyāsa context)
FAQs
It prescribes a specific mantra-prayoga: after performing the stated niṣkṛti (expiation), one should do 100 repetitions (japa) for loosening a bond (pāśa-śaithilya), and for full release (pāśa-viyoga) continue with japa strictly as directed by śāstric injunction.
Alongside theology and myth, the Agni Purāṇa preserves operational ritual technology—quantified japa counts, expiatory sequencing, and śāstra-compliant procedure—showing its role as a compendium of practical religious methods.
By pairing niṣkṛti (atonement) with disciplined japa, the verse frames liberation from “bondage” as both a ritual purification and a merit-producing act, aimed at removing obstructive karmic ties and restoring ritual/spiritual purity.