Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 1
Chapter 23 — पूजाविधिकथनम्
The Account of the Rules of Worship
इत्य् आदिमहापुराणे आग्नेये स्नानविधिकथनं नाम द्वाविंशोध्यायः अथ त्रयोविंशोध्यायः पूजाविधिकथनं नारद उवाच वक्ष्ये पूजाविधिं विप्रा यत् कृत्वा सर्वमाप्नुयात् प्रक्षालिताङ्घ्रिराचम्य वाग्यतः कृतरक्षकः
ity ādimahāpurāṇe āgneye snānavidhikathanaṃ nāma dvāviṃśodhyāyaḥ atha trayoviṃśodhyāyaḥ pūjāvidhikathanaṃ nārada uvāca vakṣye pūjāvidhiṃ viprā yat kṛtvā sarvamāpnuyāt prakṣālitāṅghrirācamya vāgyataḥ kṛtarakṣakaḥ
Ainsi, dans l’Agni Purāṇa du Mahāpurāṇa primordial, s’achève le vingt-deuxième chapitre intitulé « Exposé des règles du bain rituel ». Commence maintenant le vingt-troisième chapitre, « Exposé des règles du culte ». Nārada dit : « Ô brāhmaṇas, j’enseignerai la procédure de l’adoration ; en l’accomplissant, on obtient tous les fruits désirés. Après s’être lavé les pieds, avoir fait l’ācamanam (gorgée d’eau purificatrice), en maîtrisant la parole et après avoir accompli les rites de protection (rakṣā), qu’on procède au culte ».
Nārada
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Puja-vidhi","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Daily/occasional worship setup: preliminary purification (pada-prakshalana, achamana), speech-restraint, and protective rite before commencing puja.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Puja-prarambha: Shaucha, Achamana, Vak-niyama, Raksha","lookup_keywords":["puja-vidhi","achamana","pada-prakshalana","vak-niyama","raksha-karma"],"quick_summary":"Before worship, one performs basic bodily purification, sips water for ritual purity, restrains speech, and establishes protective measures; these are framed as prerequisites for successful puja."}
Concept: Adhikara through shaucha and niyama: inner/outer purity and restraint as the gateway to effective worship.
Application: Adopt a consistent pre-puja checklist (wash, achamana, silence/controlled speech, protective sankalpa) to stabilize attention and reduce ritual errors.
Khanda Section: Pūjā-vidhi (Ritual Worship Procedures) / Snāna-vidhi (Purificatory Bath Rites)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A brahmana devotee prepares for worship: washing feet, performing achamana, maintaining silence, and drawing/establishing a protective boundary before approaching the altar.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, flat vibrant colors, devotee at a small shrine washing feet and doing achamana, protective raksha gesture, lamp and kalasha nearby, sacred calm atmosphere","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting with gold leaf highlights, puja altar with deepa and kalasha, devotee seated respectfully after achamana, ornate arch framing the shrine, rich reds and greens","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, detailed instructional sequence: foot-washing vessel, achamana spoon, devotee with controlled speech (finger to lips), subtle protective circle around the puja space","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, refined interior with prayer niche, devotee washing feet and sipping water, attendants minimal, delicate linework, subdued palette emphasizing ritual precision"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shree","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ity ādi-…: ‘ity’ from iti; sarvamāpnuyāt = sarvam + āpnuyāt; prakṣālitāṅghriḥ = prakṣālita + aṅghriḥ; aṅghrirācamya = aṅghriḥ + ācamya; vāgyataḥ = vāk + yataḥ.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 22 (Snana-vidhi); Agni Purana 23 (Puja-vidhi continuation)
FAQs
It introduces the Pūjā-vidhi and lists the prerequisite purificatory steps—washing the feet, performing ācamanam, observing speech-restraint, and completing protective rakṣā rites—before beginning worship.
By shifting from Snāna-vidhi (bath rules) to Pūjā-vidhi (worship protocol), it exemplifies the Agni Purāṇa’s manual-like coverage of practical religious procedures alongside its many other domains (law, polity, arts, and more).
The verse frames correct preparation as essential: purification and protective observances make worship ritually valid, focused, and spiritually efficacious, leading to the attainment of desired religious and worldly results.