Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 17
Dīkṣāvidhi-kathana
Explanation of the Rite of Initiation
शुभं सिंहशतं हुत्वा आचम्याथ प्रविश्य च उत्थायाज्येनेति ख, चिह्नितपुस्तकपाठः आलोड्य वासुदेवेन इति ख, चिह्नितपुस्तकपाठः विवृद्धये इति ङ, चिह्नितपुस्तकपाठः शुभं सिद्धमिति ज्ञात्वा ङ, चिह्नितपुस्तकपाठः पूजागारं न्यसेन्मन्त्री प्राच्यां विष्णुं प्रदक्षिणं
śubhaṃ siṃhaśataṃ hutvā ācamyātha praviśya ca utthāyājyeneti kha, cihnitapustakapāṭhaḥ āloḍya vāsudevena iti kha, cihnitapustakapāṭhaḥ vivṛddhaye iti ṅa, cihnitapustakapāṭhaḥ śubhaṃ siddhamiti jñātvā ṅa, cihnitapustakapāṭhaḥ pūjāgāraṃ nyasenmantrī prācyāṃ viṣṇuṃ pradakṣiṇaṃ
Having performed an auspicious fire-oblation of a hundred offerings, and then performing ācamana (sipping water for purification), he should enter the worship-hall. Rising, he should proceed with the mantra “utthāyājyeneti”; then “āloḍya vāsudevena”; then “vivṛddhaye” (according to certain marked manuscript readings). Knowing thereafter that “the auspicious rite is accomplished,” the knower of mantras should ritually arrange the worship-setting in the pūjāgāra and perform a clockwise circumambulation (pradakṣiṇa) of Viṣṇu, facing east.
Lord Agni (narrating ritual procedure within the Agni Purana’s instructional dialogue)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vrata","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Stepwise pūjā procedure: homa completion, ācamana, entering pūjāgāra, mantra-sequenced actions, and pradakṣiṇā with correct orientation (east-facing).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Pūjāgāra-praveśa, mantra-krama, and Viṣṇu-pradakṣiṇā (east-facing)","lookup_keywords":["ācamana","pūjāgāra","pradakṣiṇā","Vāsudeva-mantra","homa-śata"],"quick_summary":"After completing a hundred auspicious offerings and ācamana, the officiant enters the worship-hall and performs mantra-linked actions, then arranges the worship space and circumambulates Viṣṇu clockwise while oriented to the east."}
Concept: Śuddhi (purification) and niyama (regulated sequence) as prerequisites for successful worship.
Application: Maintain mantra-krama, bodily purification (ācamana), and spatial discipline (pūjāgāra arrangement, pradakṣiṇā) to ensure ritual efficacy.
Khanda Section: Pūjā-vidhi (Vishnu worship and ritual procedure)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A priest completes a hundred oblations, performs ācamana, enters a decorated pūjāgāra, arranges ritual items, and circumambulates a Viṣṇu shrine clockwise while facing east.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, interior pūjāgāra with oil lamps, priest in white dhoti performing ācamana, Viṣṇu shrine at center, clockwise pradakṣiṇā path, rich earthy reds and greens, sacred geometry floor patterns, serene ritual mood.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, Viṣṇu in sanctum with ornate arch, gold-leaf highlights on lamps and ornaments, priest offering after homa, ritual vessels (kalaśa, spoon, ghee pot), depiction of clockwise circumambulation, frontal composition, auspicious brightness.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional clarity: labeled ritual implements, priest entering pūjāgāra after ācamana, sequence panels showing mantra-linked steps and pradakṣiṇā direction arrow, delicate lines and soft colors.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly precision: small worship chamber with patterned carpets, priest with homa-kunda and ghee ladle, Viṣṇu image on pedestal, attendants holding flowers, dynamic clockwise movement around shrine, fine architectural detailing."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: Resolved: ācamyātha = ācamya + atha; utthāyājyeṇa = utthāya + ājyeṇa; nyasenmantrī = nyaset + mantrī; verse contains marked variant readings (kha/ṅa) not analyzed as padas.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 27 (Pūjā-vidhi sequence around homa, ācamana, and pradakṣiṇā); Agni Purana sections on mantra-nyāsa and pūjā-upacāra (adjacent chapters)
FAQs
It teaches a precise pūjā sequence: completing a counted homa (100 offerings), performing ācamana, entering the worship-hall, applying specified mantra-citations (per variant readings), ritually establishing the worship arrangement/nyāsa, and performing Viṣṇu’s clockwise pradakṣiṇā with eastward orientation.
It functions like a compact ritual manual: it preserves procedural micro-steps (homa count, purification, entry protocol, mantra cues, spatial orientation, circumambulation), showing how the Agni Purana compiles practical liturgical instructions alongside its many other disciplines.
The verse links purification (ācamana), correct offering (homa), and proper devotional movement (pradakṣiṇā) with the assurance of “siddhi” (successful completion), framing ritual correctness as a means to auspiciousness, prosperity-increase (vivṛddhi), and merit.