Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 11
Chapter 34 — होमादिविधिः
The Procedure for Homa and Related Rites
घृतपात्रे तदेकत्र पञ्चगव्यमुदाहृतम् मण्डपप्रोक्षणायैकञ्चापरम्प्राशनाय च
ghṛtapātre tadekatra pañcagavyamudāhṛtam maṇḍapaprokṣaṇāyaikañcāparamprāśanāya ca
In a vessel of ghee, the pañcagavya is to be prepared together. One portion is for sprinkling and consecrating the maṇḍapa (ritual pavilion), and another portion is for sipping/ingesting as a purificatory intake.
Lord Agni (narrating ritual procedure to the sage Vasiṣṭha, as per the common Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Puja-vidhi","practical_application":"Preparation and partition of pañcagavya for ritual purification: one portion for maṇḍapa sprinkling (prokṣaṇa) and one for internal purification by sipping/ingesting (prāśana/ācamana-like use).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Pañcagavya preparation and twofold use: maṇḍapa-prokṣaṇa and prāśana","lookup_keywords":["pañcagavya","maṇḍapa prokṣaṇa","prāśana","ghṛta vessel","ritual purification"],"quick_summary":"Prepare pañcagavya together (here in a ghṛta vessel) and divide it: use one part to sprinkle and consecrate the ritual pavilion, and another part for purificatory intake according to rite."}
Concept: External space and internal person are both purified—prokṣaṇa for the field of action, prāśana for the agent—so the rite becomes whole (śuddha) in locus and performer.
Application: In any sacred undertaking, purify both environment and self; separate materials for external and internal use to maintain clarity and discipline.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Ritual Purification and Pavilion/Maṇḍapa Rites)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritual pavilion being sprinkled with pañcagavya from a ghee vessel; a second portion is set aside for the officiant’s purificatory sipping.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: maṇḍapa with pillars and lamps; priest sprinkling liquid in arcs; separate small cup reserved for prāśana; warm reds/ochres, stylized sacred space.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: gold-highlighted maṇḍapa pillars and vessels; priest holding ornate pot; droplets rendered as gold specks; second vessel placed on a decorated tray.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: clear instructional layout—two containers labeled for prokṣaṇa and prāśana; pavilion architecture lightly detailed; restrained palette with fine gold.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: pavilion interior with patterned carpets; priest sprinkling with a spoon; attendants holding vessels; meticulous architectural and textile detail."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":null,"pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: pañcagavyamudāhṛtam → pañcagavyam + udāhṛtam. prokṣaṇāyaikañcāparamprāśanāya → prokṣaṇāya + ekam + ca + aparam + prāśanāya (m+c → ñc; vowel coalescence at ca+aparam).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 34 (maṇḍapa-śuddhi, rakṣā, pañcagavya usage)
FAQs
It prescribes the ritual handling of pañcagavya: prepare it in a ghee-vessel, then divide its use—one part for maṇḍapa-prokṣaṇa (sprinkling to consecrate/purify the ritual space) and another part for prāśana (purificatory sipping/ingestion by the practitioner).
It functions like a practical ritual manual, giving procedural details of purification substances and their applications in consecration rites—showing the Agni Purāṇa’s coverage beyond mythology into applied liturgy, temple practice, and domestic-sacramental protocols.
By sanctifying the maṇḍapa through sprinkling and purifying the performer through prāśana, the rite is meant to remove ritual impurity (aśauca/mala), establish auspiciousness (śubhatā), and ensure the intended worship or sacrifice yields merit (puṇya) without obstruction.