Agni Purana — Veda-vidhana & Vamsha, Shloka 10
Chapter 264 — Dikpālādi-snāna
Bathing rites for the Dikpālas and associated deities
स्नानमण्डलकान् दिक्षु कुर्याच्चैव विदिक्षु च विष्णुब्रह्मेशशक्रादींस्तदस्त्राण्यर्च्य होमयेत्
snānamaṇḍalakān dikṣu kuryāccaiva vidikṣu ca viṣṇubrahmeśaśakrādīṃstadastrāṇyarcya homayet
He should construct the bathing-circles (snāna-maṇḍalas) in the cardinal directions and also in the intermediate directions; having worshipped Viṣṇu, Brahmā, Īśa (Śiva), Śakra (Indra) and the others—together with their presiding astra-mantras—he should then offer them into the fire (perform homa).
Lord Agni (narrating ritual procedure to the sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purāṇa’s instructional mode)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Construct snāna-maṇḍalas in eight directions; worship major deities and their astra-presences, then perform homa as an offering sequence integrating dikpāla/devatā-arcana with fire-rite.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Snāna-maṇḍala in eight directions and astra-inclusive homa","lookup_keywords":["snāna-maṇḍala","dik-vidik","astra-arcana","homa","Viṣṇu-Brahmā-Īśa-Śakra"],"quick_summary":"Set bathing-circles in cardinal and intermediate directions; worship Viṣṇu, Brahmā, Īśa, Śakra and others along with their astras, then complete the sequence by offering into fire (homa)."}
Weapon Type: Astra (divine weapon principles) as ritualized presences rather than physical arms
Concept: Ritual completeness through spatial totality (eight directions) and energetic completeness (deity + astra) culminating in agni-offering.
Application: When performing pūjā with homa, do not omit intermediate directions or astra-arcana; treat them as protective and empowering components of the rite.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Snana-maṇḍala, Dikpāla/Devārcana and Homa procedures)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritual hall with eight snāna-circles marked around a central space; priest worships Viṣṇu, Brahmā, Śiva, Indra with symbolic weapons nearby, then pours offerings into a blazing homa fire.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural; circular snāna-maṇḍalas in eight directions around a central homa-kuṇḍa; deities indicated in each sector; priest offering ghee; stylized flames and geometric precision.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting; central homa fire with gold highlights; surrounding eight circles with small deity emblems; Viṣṇu/Brahmā/Śiva/Indra prominently framed; ornate ritual vessels.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style diagrammatic clarity; top-down view of eight-direction layout; labeled dik/vidik circles; sequence arrows leading to homa-kuṇḍa; priest figure at the south performing āhuti.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature; indoor yajña scene with attendants; chalked circles on floor; priest worshipping icons and weapon emblems; detailed fire altar and offerings."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: कुर्याच्चैव = कुर्यात् + च + एव; विष्णुब्रह्मेशशक्रादींस्तदस्त्राण्यर्च्य = विष्णुब्रह्मेशशक्रादीन् + तत् + अस्त्राणि + अर्च्य; तदस्त्राणि = तत् + अस्त्राणि; अस्त्राण्यर्च्य = अस्त्राणि + अर्च्य
Related Themes: Agni Purāṇa: homa-vidhi and agni-kārya chapters; Agni Purāṇa: dikpāla/devatā-arcana sequences
FAQs
It teaches a procedural step in pūjā-vidhi: arranging snāna-maṇḍalas in both cardinal and intercardinal directions, then worshipping key deities (Vishnu, Brahmā, Śiva, Indra, etc.) along with their astra-mantras, followed by homa.
It exemplifies the Agni Purāṇa’s manual-like coverage of ritual technology—mandala layout, directional (dik/vidik) structuring, deity-and-astra associations, and fire-offering praxis—showing the text functioning as a compact ritual handbook alongside its many other disciplines.
By sanctifying space in all directions and invoking deities with protective astra-mantras before homa, the rite aims at purification, removal of obstacles, and establishment of ritual protection (rakṣā) so the ceremony yields auspicious merit (puṇya).