Agni Purana — Veda-vidhana & Vamsha, Shloka 11
Chapter 264 — Dikpālādi-snāna
Bathing rites for the Dikpālas and associated deities
एकैकस्य त्वष्टशतं समिधस्तु तिलान् धृतं भद्रः सुभद्रः सिद्धार्थः कलसाः पुष्टिवर्धनाः
ekaikasya tvaṣṭaśataṃ samidhastu tilān dhṛtaṃ bhadraḥ subhadraḥ siddhārthaḥ kalasāḥ puṣṭivardhanāḥ
For each offering/rite, the kindling-sticks (samidh) should be eight hundred; one should offer sesame seeds and ghee. The ritual vessels (kalaśas) are to be arranged/named as Bhadra, Subhadra, and Siddhārtha—thus promoting nourishment and prosperity.
Lord Agni (instructing sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purana dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Homa specification: fixed count of samidh per offering-unit, with tila and ghṛta as oblations; arrange/identify kalaśas named Bhadra, Subhadra, Siddhārtha for puṣṭi and prosperity-oriented rite.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Homa materials: 800 samidh, tila-ghṛta āhuti, and Bhadra–Subhadra–Siddhārtha kalaśas","lookup_keywords":["samidh-saṅkhyā","aṣṭaśata","tila","ghṛta","kalaśa-nāma"],"quick_summary":"For each rite, use an 800-stick kindling measure, offer sesame and ghee, and employ ritual pots named Bhadra, Subhadra, and Siddhārtha to support nourishment and prosperity intentions."}
Concept: Ritual efficacy is tied to precise measures (saṅkhyā) and correctly designated implements (kalaśa-vyavasthā).
Application: Maintain consistent counts and standardized materials in homa; name/assign kalaśas to functions to avoid procedural ambiguity.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Homa/Ishti ritual prescriptions within Agni-vidya)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A priest counts bundles of samidh sticks, offers sesame and ghee into the fire, and sets three labeled kalaśas—Bhadra, Subhadra, Siddhārtha—near the altar as prosperity vessels.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural; homa-kuṇḍa with stylized flames; heaps of samidh; priest pouring ghṛta; three kalaśas with distinct markings and name-bands; auspicious motifs for puṣṭi.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style; gold-accented fire altar; three ornate kalaśas in foreground with inscriptions; sesame bowl and ghee ladle; rich auspicious ornamentation.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style instructional still-life; clearly rendered samidh bundles with count notation, tila bowl, ghṛta pātra, and three labeled kalaśas arranged symmetrically beside the kuṇḍa.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature; meticulous depiction of ritual implements—bundled sticks, sesame, ghee ladle, three decorated pots with calligraphed labels—priest mid-āhuti."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: त्वष्टशतम् = तु + अष्टशतम् (उकार-सन्धि); समिधस्तु = समिधः + तु
Related Themes: Agni Purāṇa: homa-dravya lists and saṅkhyā-niyama passages; Agni Purāṇa: kalaśa-sthāpana and puṣṭi-karmāṇi sections
FAQs
It specifies homa procedure details: the prescribed quantity of samidh (800 for each rite) and the standard oblations (sesame and ghee), along with auspiciously designated kalaśas used in the ritual setup.
It preserves granular ritual-technology—exact counts, materials, and named vessels—showing the Agni Purana functioning as a practical manual of worship (puja-vidhi) alongside its broader teachings on dharma, polity, medicine, and arts.
Correct materials, measures, and auspicious vessel-forms are presented as merit-producing (puṇya) and prosperity-enhancing, supporting purification and the intended success (siddhi) of the rite.