Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 43
Adhivāsana-vidhi
Procedure for Preliminary Consecration in Vāstu–Pratiṣṭhā / Īśāna-kalpa
धूपदीपचरूणाञ्च ददीताग्निं समुद्धरेत् पूर्ववच्छिवमभ्यर्च्य शिवाग्नौ मन्त्रतर्पणं
dhūpadīpacarūṇāñca dadītāgniṃ samuddharet pūrvavacchivamabhyarcya śivāgnau mantratarpaṇaṃ
Nachdem Räucherwerk, Lampe und die Opfergabe (caru) dargebracht wurden, soll man sodann das heilige Feuer herausnehmen; und, Śiva wie zuvor verehrend, soll man die Mantra-Libationen (mantra-tarpaṇa) in das Śiva-Feuer darbringen.
Lord Agni (teaching sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Stepwise Śiva-agni homa: offer dhūpa, dīpa, and caru; then ritually ‘take up/withdraw’ the fire as prescribed; worship Śiva and perform mantra-tarpaṇa (mantra-libations) into the Śiva-fire.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Śiva-Agni Homa: Dhūpa–Dīpa–Caru and Mantra-Tarpaṇa","lookup_keywords":["śivāgni","dhūpa dīpa caru","mantra-tarpaṇa","homa sequence","agni-samuddhāra"],"quick_summary":"Complete offerings of incense, lamp, and caru, then proceed to the prescribed handling/withdrawal of the fire; worship Śiva and perform mantra-tarpaṇa into the Śiva-fire to seal the rite."}
Concept: Upacāra and homa as embodied devotion—external offerings paired with mantra-intent (tarpana) to internalize worship.
Application: Use a fixed offering order to maintain ritual completeness and to ‘nourish’ the deity-presence through mantra-tarpaṇa.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Shiva-agni homa and mantra-tarpana (Ritual Procedures)
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A Śaiva homa scene: incense smoke, a lit lamp beside the kuṇḍa, caru oblation being offered; then mantra-tarpaṇa into a blazing Śiva-fire with focused worship of Śiva (liṅga nearby).","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, Śiva-homa altar with liṅga motif, priest offering dhūpa and dīpa, caru ladle over flames, swirling incense smoke, deep reds and ochres, sacred calm devotion","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, prominent lamp and fire with gold embossing, priest performing mantra-tarpaṇa into śivāgni, Śiva-liṅga with gold decorations, rich ornamentation and devotional aura","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clear depiction of dhūpa-dīpa-caru sequence, priest’s hand gestures, homa tools neatly arranged, subtle gold, instructional yet reverent composition","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, intimate ritual chamber, incense and lamp rendered delicately, priest pouring oblation into fire, a small liṅga shrine in background, fine textiles and borders"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: धूपदीपचरूणाञ्च = धूपदीपचरूणाम् + च; ददीताग्निं = ददीत + अग्निम्; पूर्ववच्छिवमभ्यर्च्य = पूर्ववत् + शिवम् + अभ्यर्च्य.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 96 (Śiva-pūjā and homa continuation; prior ‘pūrvavat’ worship steps)
FAQs
It specifies a sequence in Śiva-centered homa: offer dhūpa (incense), dīpa (lamp), and caru (cooked oblation), then properly take up/withdraw the ritual fire, and perform mantra-tarpaṇa (mantra-accompanied libations) into the consecrated Śiva-fire.
Alongside theology, the Agni Purana preserves practical liturgical protocols—step-by-step pūjā and homa operations (upacāras, handling of the fire, and mantra-based offerings)—showing its function as a ritual handbook as well as a Purāṇa.
By honoring Śiva through correctly ordered offerings and mantra-tarpaṇa in the Śiva-fire, the rite is treated as a disciplined act of propitiation and purification, aiming at merit (puṇya), removal of ritual impurity, and strengthened devotional efficacy through proper procedure (vidhi).