Agni Purana — Ayurveda, Shloka 4
Chapter 290 — गजशान्तिः
Gaja-śānti: Elephant-Pacification Rite
कुमुदैरावणः पद्मः पुष्पदन्तो ऽथ वामनः सुप्रतीकोञ्जनो नागा अष्टौ होमो ऽथ दक्षिणां
kumudairāvaṇaḥ padmaḥ puṣpadanto 'tha vāmanaḥ supratīkoñjano nāgā aṣṭau homo 'tha dakṣiṇāṃ
Kumuda, Airāvaṇa, Padma, Puṣpadanta y luego Vāmana; también Supratīka, Añjana y Nāga: éstos son los ocho nombres. Después se trata del homa (oblación al fuego) y de la ofrenda ritual (dakṣiṇā).
Lord Agni (narrating to the sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purāṇa’s instructional voice)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Using a fixed nāma-list as a ritual ‘address book’ for homa offerings and determining/justifying dakṣiṇā in śānti rites.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Eight Nāga Names for Homa and Dakṣiṇā (Kumuda to Nāga)","lookup_keywords":["homa","dakṣiṇā","Kumuda","Airāvaṇa","Puṣpadanta"],"quick_summary":"Provides an eight-name roster (nāga/elephant-associated beings) to be invoked in homa; signals that proper offerings and ritual fee complete the pacification procedure."}
Concept: Nāma-japa/saṅkīrtana as ritual technology; homa plus dakṣiṇā as ethical-ritual closure (ṛtvij satisfaction).
Application: Ensure rite efficacy by (1) correct name-recitation, (2) fire-offering sequence, and (3) appropriate remuneration to officiants.
Khanda Section: Mantra-nighaṇṭu & Devatā-nāma (Ritual Name-Lists for Homa and Dakṣiṇā)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A homa altar with offerings being poured while the officiant recites eight names; a ledger-like moment where dakṣiṇā is prepared (coins/cloth/cow) to be given after the rite.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, central blazing homa-kuṇḍa; priest with ladle (sruk) and palm-leaf manuscript; eight nāga emblems around the border; dakṣiṇā items arranged on a tray.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, gold-highlighted flames and altar; priest in white with sacred thread; ornate tray with dakṣiṇā (gold coins, silk cloth) rendered with embossed gold work; decorative serpent motifs.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional scene: clearly drawn homa implements (kuṇḍa, sruk, sruva, ājyapātra), and a neat row of eight name cartouches; dakṣiṇā bundle tied and labeled.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, intimate ritual chamber: fire altar, attendants bringing gifts for dakṣiṇā; calligraphic panel listing the eight names; fine textile patterns and realistic flames."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kedar","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पुष्पदन्तो ऽथ→पुष्पदन्तः अथ; सुप्रतीकोञ्जनो→सुप्रतीकः उञ्जनः (interpreting sandhi -o + u-). होमो ऽथ→होमः अथ.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 290 (homa/dakṣiṇā section following nāga lists)
FAQs
It supplies a fixed list of eight sacred names/epithets used in the homa context, functioning as a ritual nighaṇṭu (name-index) for correct invocation, followed by a transition to instructions on homa and dakṣiṇā.
By preserving compact catalogues of ritual names and procedural headings (homa and dakṣiṇā), it acts like a handbook: not narrative theology alone, but practical reference material for priests and ritualists.
Correctly reciting and applying authorized names in homa is treated as ensuring mantra-śuddhi (ritual correctness), which supports the intended merit (puṇya), purification, and efficacy of the offering; dakṣiṇā completes the rite by honoring the officiants.