Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 20
Adhyāya 88 — निर्वाणदीक्षाकथनं
Teaching of the Nirvāṇa-Initiation
अस्त्रेण जुहुयात् पज्च पाशाङ्कुशनिवृत्तये प्रायश्चित्तनिषेधार्थं दद्यादष्टाहुतीस्ततः
astreṇa juhuyāt pajca pāśāṅkuśanivṛttaye prāyaścittaniṣedhārthaṃ dadyādaṣṭāhutīstataḥ
Man soll fünf Opfergaben mit dem Waffen-Mantra (Astra) darbringen, um Schlinge (pāśa) und Treibhaken (aṅkuśa) – also Fesseln und zwingende Hemmnisse – zu beseitigen. Danach soll man, um weiteren Bedarf an Sühne (prāyaścitta) zu unterbinden, acht Opfergaben darbringen.
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purāṇa narration frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Prāyaścitta-homa using astra-mantra oblations to remove ritual/psychic impediments (pāśa-aṅkuśa) and to seal the rite so further expiation is not required.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Astra-mantra prāyaścitta-homa: five and eight oblations","lookup_keywords":["astra-mantra","homa","prāyaścitta","pāśa aṅkuśa","āhuti-saṅkhyā"],"quick_summary":"Offer five āhutis with the astra-mantra to cut restraints (pāśa) and coercive impediments (aṅkuśa); then offer eight āhutis to prevent recurrence/need of further expiation, functioning as a ritual ‘seal’."}
Concept: Removal of pāśa (bondage/obstruction) through mantra-fire offering; completion by a sealing sequence to stabilize purity.
Application: Use counted oblations as a controlled ritual technology: first for removal, then for stabilization and prevention of relapse into doṣa/āpatti.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Prayashchitta and Homa-vidhi)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritual fire-altar with the officiant offering measured oblations while mentally deploying the astra-mantra to cut symbolic noose and goad; a second sequence of eight offerings as a protective seal.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, homa-kuṇḍa with bright flames, priest in white dhoti offering ghee with ladle, subtle iconographic symbols of pāśa (noose) and aṅkuśa (goad) dissolving into fire, temple interior, flat bold colors, ornate borders","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-leaf accents on homa fire and vessels, priest seated before square kuṇḍa, stylized noose and goad rendered as gilded motifs breaking apart, rich reds and greens, heavy ornamentation","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional clarity: numbered āhutis (5 then 8) indicated by small tally marks near ladle, clean lines, soft shading, ritual implements labeled, calm sacred ambience","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed yajña scene with attendants, copper vessels, smoke curling, symbolic noose and goad fading, fine textile patterns, architectural pavilion backdrop"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पज्च → पञ्च; पाशाङ्कुशनिवृत्तये = पाशाङ्कुश-निवृत्तये; प्रायश्चित्तनिषेधार्थं = प्रायश्चित्त-निषेध-अर्थम्; दद्यादष्टाहुतीस्ततः = दद्यात् अष्ट-आहुतिः ततः (आहुतिः → आहुतिः/आहुतयः; here taken as acc. pl. आहुतिः/आहुतयः by context).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 88 (Pūjā-vidhi: prāyaścitta, homa-vidhi); Agni Purana 88.21-24 (Sadāśiva invocation, mantra, dismissal, mudrā-nyāsa)
FAQs
It prescribes a precise homa-count sequence: five oblations using the Astra-mantra to remove binding/controlling impediments (pāśa–aṅkuśa), followed by eight oblations intended to prevent recurrence and to avert the need for further expiation.
It exemplifies the Purāṇa’s manual-like coverage of ritual technology—specific mantras, purposes, and counted oblations—alongside theology, showing how the Agni Purāṇa functions as a practical compendium of pūjā-vidhi and prāyaścitta procedures.
The rite aims at karmic unbinding and ritual clearance (removing restraints symbolized by noose and goad) and establishes a preventive safeguard, so that faults are not repeated and the performer remains ritually purified and protected.