Agni Purana — Veda-vidhana & Vamsha, Shloka 15
Vināyaka-snāna (The Vinayaka Bath) — Obstacle-Removal and Consecratory Bathing Rite
नामभिर्बलिमन्त्रैश् च नमस्कारसमन्वितैः दद्याच्चतुष्पथे शूर्पे कुशानास्तीर्य सर्वतः
nāmabhirbalimantraiś ca namaskārasamanvitaiḥ dadyāccatuṣpathe śūrpe kuśānāstīrya sarvataḥ
With the appropriate names and bali-mantras, accompanied by reverential salutations, one should present the offering at a four-way crossroads, placing it upon a winnowing tray after spreading kuśa-grass all around.
Lord Agni (in dialogue with sage Vasiṣṭha, standard Agni Purāṇa narration frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vrata","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Crossroads bali-offering procedure using bali-mantras, namaskara, and a śūrpa (winnowing tray) with kuśa as ritual boundary/purification.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Catuṣpatha-bali on Śūrpa with Kuśa-paristara","lookup_keywords":["catuṣpatha","bali","śūrpa","kuśa","namaskāra"],"quick_summary":"Make bali at a four-way crossroads, placing it on a winnowing tray and encircling with kuśa-grass while reciting the proper names/mantras and performing salutations."}
Concept: Śuddhi and saṅkalpa expressed through correct deśa (place), dravya (materials), and mantra.
Application: Choose the prescribed liminal location, establish a kuśa boundary, and offer with mantra + namaskāra to align act, speech, and reverence.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Bali and Namaskara offerings at crossroads)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: Sacred/liminal site
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A devotee at a four-way crossroads places bali on a winnowing tray, kuśa-grass spread in a ring, hands in namaskāra while reciting mantras.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, crossroads shrine setting at dusk, devotee in white dhoti, śūrpa with offerings, kuśa ring glowing, minimal background, earthy reds and greens, sacred calm.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central devotee offering bali on ornate śūrpa, stylized kuśa border as gold filigree, rich jewel tones, embossed gold highlights, ritual vessels nearby.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional composition showing step-by-step: kuśa spread around, śūrpa placement, namaskāra posture, labeled ritual items, delicate lines and soft palette.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed urban crossroads with four lanes, small shrine marker, devotee placing śūrpa, fine textiles, precise botanical kuśa, subdued evening sky."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: नामभिः+बलिमन्त्रैः→नामभिर्बलिमन्त्रैः; दद्यात्+चतुष्पथे→दद्याच्चतुष्पथे; कुशान्+आस्तीर्य→कुशानास्तीर्य
Related Themes: Agni Purana Puja-vidhi sections on bali/naivedya and bhūta-śānti (adjacent verses in 265)
FAQs
It teaches the bali-pradāna method: recite prescribed names and bali-mantras with namaskāra, and place the offering at a catuṣpatha on a śūrpa prepared with kuśa spread around.
By preserving precise procedural details—location (crossroads), ritual implements (śūrpa), and sanctifying materials (kuśa)—it functions as a practical ritual manual alongside the Purāṇa’s many other technical domains.
Offering bali with mantra and reverence at a liminal public space (the crossroads) is traditionally held to pacify obstructive forces and promote purification, protection, and auspiciousness for the practitioner.