Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 3
Chapter 301 — सूर्यार्चनं
Sūryārcana) / Sun-worship (closing colophon only
वज्रपद्मधरं शक्रं पीतमावाह्य पूजयेत् नियुतं होमयेदाज्यतिलांस्तेनाभिषेचयेत्
vajrapadmadharaṃ śakraṃ pītamāvāhya pūjayet niyutaṃ homayedājyatilāṃstenābhiṣecayet
Habiendo invocado y adorado a Śakra (Indra) como la deidad de color amarillo que porta el rayo (vajra) y el loto, debe realizarse un homa de un niyuta (un cómputo grande y fijo) de ofrendas de ghee y sésamo; y con ello, después, efectuar el abhiṣeka, la aspersión y consagración ritual.
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Devatā-āvāhana and pūjā of Indra followed by large-count homa with ghee and sesame, culminating in abhiṣeka for consecration, protection, and auspicious empowerment.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Indra (Śakra) Pūjā–Homa–Abhiṣeka with Ājya and Tila","lookup_keywords":["Śakra āvāhana","vajra-padma-dhara","niyuta homa","ājya tila","abhiṣeka"],"quick_summary":"Invoke Indra as yellow, holding vajra and lotus; worship him, perform a niyuta-count homa with ghee and sesame, then use the rite’s sanctified outcome for abhiṣeka (ritual bathing/consecration)."}
Concept: Ritual sequence (āvāhana → pūjā → homa → abhiṣeka) as a structured means of invoking divine power and transferring sanctity/merit into consecration.
Application: Follow ordered ritual steps; use pure ājya and tila; maintain count-discipline (niyuta) and conclude with abhiṣeka to ‘seal’ the rite’s efficacy.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Devatā-āvāhana, homa, abhiṣeka)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Indra is invoked as a yellow deity holding vajra and lotus; a priest performs homa with ghee and sesame into a fire-altar; afterward, abhiṣeka is performed with sanctified water/substance.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, Indra in pīta-varṇa with vajra and padma, priest at square homa-kuṇḍa offering ājya and tila, abhiṣeka scene with kalasha and flowing water, ornate temple backdrop","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, gold-leaf haloed Indra holding vajra and lotus, richly decorated homa altar, offerings of sesame and ghee, abhiṣeka with golden kalashas and shimmering highlights","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clear instructional panels: (1) āvāhana of Indra (2) homa with ājya+tila (3) abhiṣeka; fine linework, soft palette, labeled ritual implements","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly ritual pavilion, officiant performing fire-offering, attendants holding sesame and ghee vessels, Indra depicted in the sky with vajra and lotus, abhiṣeka with ewers and basins"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Kedar","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ‘पीतमावाह्य’ = ‘पीतम् आवाह्य’; ‘होमयेदाज्यतिलान्’ = ‘होमयेत् आज्यतिलान्’; ‘तેનाभिषेचयेत्’ = ‘तेन अभिषेचयेत्’.
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Pūjā-vidhi and homa-lakṣaṇa chapters; Agni Purana: Abhiṣeka and pratiṣṭhā-related passages (where present)
FAQs
It teaches a compact Śakra-pūjā sequence: āvāhana (invocation), pūjā (worship), homa with ājya and tila in a prescribed count (niyuta), followed by abhiṣeka (ritual consecration).
It exemplifies the Agni Purāṇa’s practical ritual manuals—giving exact deity-iconography (vajra–padma, yellow form), specific oblations (ghee and sesame), and the procedural linkage from homa to abhiṣeka, typical of its wide-ranging liturgical instructions.
By correctly invoking Indra and completing homa and abhiṣeka, the rite is framed as a purificatory and empowering consecration that accrues religious merit and is traditionally sought for protection, strength, and prosperity associated with Śakra.