Agni Purana — Veda-vidhana & Vamsha, Shloka 5
Chapter 264 — Dikpālādi-snāna
Bathing rites for the Dikpālas and associated deities
वैष्णवे रेवतीपुष्ये सर्वेषां स्नानमुत्तमं स्नानकामस्य सप्ताहम्पूर्वमुत्सादनं स्मृतं
vaiṣṇave revatīpuṣye sarveṣāṃ snānamuttamaṃ snānakāmasya saptāhampūrvamutsādanaṃ smṛtaṃ
On the Vaiṣṇava day—when the Moon is in Revatī or Puṣya—bathing is declared best for everyone. For one who wishes to undertake the ritual bath, preparatory anointing and cleansing (utsādana) for seven days beforehand is prescribed.
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Jyotisha","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Electional timing for ritual bathing based on nakṣatra (Revatī/Puṣya) and a prescribed seven-day preparatory regimen (utsādana) before the main snāna.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Vaiṣṇava snāna on Revatī/Puṣya with seven-day utsādana","lookup_keywords":["revatī","puṣya","vaiṣṇava-dina","snāna-vidhi","utsādana"],"quick_summary":"Bathe on the Vaiṣṇava occasion when the Moon is in Revatī or Puṣya; undertake seven days of prior cleansing/anointing (utsādana) as preparation."}
Concept: Śuddhi is strengthened by saṅkalpa, right timing (kāla), and preparatory discipline (pūrvasevā).
Application: Plan vrata/snāna by lunar mansion; adopt a structured pre-observance routine to intensify focus and perceived efficacy.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Vrata, Snana, Nakshatra-based purification rites)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A devotee prepares for a sacred bath: seven days of anointing and cleansing, then performs snāna on a day marked by Revatī or Puṣya, with a priest indicating the nakṣatra on a palm-leaf almanac.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, priest with palm-leaf pañcāṅga, devotee with oil/anointing paste, ritual bath scene with lamps and water pot, calm temple courtyard, traditional palette","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, ornate devotee and priest, gold leaf on ritual vessels and haloed Viṣṇu emblem, stylized calendar symbols for Revatī/Puṣya, ceremonial bath depiction","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional sequence: day-by-day utsādana leading to snāna; fine lines, soft colors, clear depiction of paste application and bathing steps","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, astrologer-priest consulting a manuscript, devotee preparing with attendants, bathing ghat scene, detailed textiles and architecture, subtle celestial motifs"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: स्नानम् + उत्तमम् → स्नानमुत्तमम्; सप्ताहम् + पूर्वम् → सप्ताहम्पूर्वम्; पूर्वम् + उत्सादनम् → पूर्वमुत्सादनम्
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Nakṣatra-based rites and śuddhi-prakaraṇa; Agni Purana: Vaiṣṇava vrata and snāna-phala discussions
FAQs
It gives a Jyotiṣa-linked snāna-vidhi: bathing is especially efficacious when the Moon is in Revatī or Puṣya on a Vaiṣṇava observance, and it prescribes a seven-day prior body-preparation (utsādana).
It exemplifies how the Agni Purana integrates practical ritual manuals (snāna/vṛata procedure) with calendrical astronomy (nakṣatra timing), showing its coverage of both dharma-practice and applied Jyotiṣa.
By aligning purification (snāna) with auspicious Vaiṣṇava timing and disciplined preparation, the rite is framed as maximally purifying for all—enhancing merit and ritual efficacy through correct observance.