Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 67
Dīkṣāvidhi-kathana
Explanation of the Rite of Initiation
भक्त्या सम्प्रातिपन्नानां यतीनां निर्धनस्य च सम्पूज्य स्थण्डिले विष्णुं पार्श्वस्थं स्थाप्य पुत्रकं
bhaktyā samprātipannānāṃ yatīnāṃ nirdhanasya ca sampūjya sthaṇḍile viṣṇuṃ pārśvasthaṃ sthāpya putrakaṃ
Avec dévotion, après avoir honoré comme il convient les ascètes (yati) venus chercher refuge ainsi que les pauvres, on doit adorer Viṣṇu sur un autel de terre purifiée (sthaṇḍila) ; puis, en plaçant l’enfant auprès de la divinité, on poursuit le rite.
Lord Agni (in dialogue transmission typical of the Agni Purana)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Guides householders/ritualists to integrate atithi-satkara (honoring guests, ascetics, and the poor) with Viṣṇu-pūjā, including the use of a purified earthen altar and involving a child in the rite.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Atithi-satkara with Viṣṇu-pūjā on Sthaṇḍila; placing the child beside the deity","lookup_keywords":["atithi-satkara","yati-pūjā","daridra-dāna","sthaṇḍila","viṣṇu-pūjā"],"quick_summary":"Before worship, honor ascetics and the poor with devotion; then worship Viṣṇu on a purified earthen altar and place the child beside the deity as part of the observance."}
Concept: Bhakti expressed through service to yatis and the needy as a prerequisite/companion to deity-worship.
Application: Treat guest-care and charity as integral limbs of pūjā; cultivate purity of place and intention.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Vishnu-puja and dana/atithi-satkara procedures)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A clean earthen altar (sthaṇḍila) prepared for Viṣṇu worship; ascetics and a poor person are respectfully honored; a child is placed beside the deity’s worship-seat as the rite begins.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, flat vibrant colors, Viṣṇu worship on a circular sthāṇḍila, priest offering arghya, yatis seated receiving honor, a poor devotee receiving alms, child standing beside the deity’s seat, traditional ornaments and lotus motifs","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, Viṣṇu on a small pedestal with gold leaf halo, richly decorated pūjā items on a sthāṇḍila, priest and family including a child at the side, yati and poor person being honored, heavy gold work and jewel tones","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, detailed ritual layout of sthāṇḍila and offerings, calm domestic shrine setting, clear depiction of honoring guests and then beginning Viṣṇu pūjā, soft shading and delicate linework","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly domestic interior with a ritual ground, ascetic guest and poor petitioner respectfully received, small Viṣṇu icon at the altar, child placed beside, fine textiles and architectural details"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: No major external sandhi beyond standard phonetic joining in the continuous text; compounds: pārśvastha = pārśve sthitaḥ (Tatpuruṣa).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 27 (Pūjā-vidhi sections on dāna, atithi-satkara, and sthāṇḍila worship)
FAQs
It prescribes a puja-sequence: first honor worthy recipients (ascetics and the poor), then perform Viṣṇu-worship on a sthaṇḍila (purified earthen altar), and position the child beside the deity as part of the ritual setup.
It combines ritual mechanics (altar type, placement rules) with dharma-ethics (service to renunciants and the needy), showing how the Agni Purana integrates liturgy, social duty, and practical ceremonial procedure.
The verse links successful worship to bhakti expressed through honoring the vulnerable and spiritually advanced; such reverence is treated as merit-enhancing and purificatory, making the rite ethically grounded rather than merely formal.