Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 14
Chapter 174 — प्रायश्चित्तानि
Expiations
प्रवृत्तौ तु निवृत्तौ तु इज्यते भुक्तिमुक्तिदः अग्निरूपस्य विष्णोर्हि हवनं ध्यानमर्चनं
pravṛttau tu nivṛttau tu ijyate bhuktimuktidaḥ agnirūpasya viṣṇorhi havanaṃ dhyānamarcanaṃ
Whether in the path of worldly engagement (pravṛtti) or in the path of renunciation (nivṛtti), one should worship Him—the giver of both enjoyment and liberation. For Viṣṇu in the form of Agni, the worship consists of fire-offering (havana), meditation (dhyāna), and ritual adoration (arcana).
Lord Agni (narrating the Agni Purana’s instructions to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"A combined upāsanā protocol for householders and renunciants: havana (outer ritual), dhyāna (inner visualization), and arcana (formal worship) directed to Viṣṇu-as-Agni for bhukti and mukti.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Viṣṇu–Agni upāsanā in pravṛtti and nivṛtti: havana–dhyāna–arcana","lookup_keywords":["pravṛtti","nivṛtti","bhukti-mukti-dā","Agni-rūpa Viṣṇu","havana dhyāna arcana"],"quick_summary":"The verse gives a compact worship-method usable in both worldly and renunciant paths: worship Viṣṇu in Agni-form through fire-offering, meditation, and ritual adoration, aiming at both prosperity and liberation."}
Concept: Integration of karma-upāsanā and jñāna-upāsanā: the same Lord grants bhukti and mukti; outer rite (havana) is complemented by inner contemplation (dhyāna) and devotional service (arcana).
Application: Design a personal practice: periodic homa (as capacity allows), daily dhyāna on Agni-rūpa Viṣṇu, and regular arcana at home/temple; align intention to both dharma-artha and mokṣa.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Vishnu–Agni worship; Pravritti–Nivritti and ritual/meditative upasana)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A triptych-like ritual scene: a homa fire blazing in a kuṇḍa, a meditator seated in padmāsana visualizing Viṣṇu within Agni, and a worshipper offering flowers and lamp in arcana—showing one deity approached by three modes.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, three-panel narrative: left homa with priests and ladles, center yogin in meditation with flame-vision of Viṣṇu, right arcana with lamps and flowers, strong outlines, warm palette, temple interior ambience.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, central Agni-rūpa Viṣṇu with gold halo, below a homa-kuṇḍa with offerings, side figures performing dhyāna and arcana, heavy gold embossing on flames and ornaments, rich reds and greens.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear instructional layout labeling havana/dhyāna/arcana, delicate brushwork, soft gradients, ritual implements precisely drawn (sruk, ājya, puṣpa, dīpa), calm devotional faces.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, refined courtyard with a small fire altar, a saint meditating under an arch, another offering flowers at a small shrine, intricate textiles and vessels, fine border illumination."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: विष्णोर्हि = विष्णोः + हि; ध्यानमर्चनम् = ध्यानम् + अर्चनम्.
Related Themes: Agni Purāṇa pūjā-vidhi materials; Agni Purāṇa homa/havana instructions (where present); Agni Purāṇa discussions of pravṛtti–nivṛtti
FAQs
It prescribes a threefold upāsanā for Viṣṇu-as-Agni: havana (homa/fire-offering), dhyāna (meditative visualization), and arcana (formal ritual worship), applicable to both householders and renunciants.
It integrates multiple disciplines of practice—Vedic ritual (homa), yogic contemplation (dhyāna), and pūjā liturgy (arcana)—showing how the Agni Purana systematizes diverse paths (pravṛtti and nivṛtti) into a unified ritual-theological framework.
By worshipping the deity who grants both bhukti and mukti, the practitioner aligns worldly duty and spiritual liberation, treating sacrificial action and inner contemplation as complementary means of purification and final release.