Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 9
Chapter 100 — द्वारप्रतिष्ठाकथनम्
Dvāra-pratiṣṭhā-kathana: Procedure for Door Consecration
न्यूनादिदोषमोषार्थं हेतितो जुहुयाच्च्छतं दिग्बलिम्पूर्ववद्धुत्वा प्रदद्याद्दक्षिणादिकं
nyūnādidoṣamoṣārthaṃ hetito juhuyāccchataṃ digbalimpūrvavaddhutvā pradadyāddakṣiṇādikaṃ
Afin d’écarter les défauts tels que l’insuffisance dans le rite, on offrira au feu cent oblations accompagnées du mantra de l’arme (heti-mantra). Ensuite, comme précédemment, après avoir accompli les offrandes bali aux directions, on remettra la dakṣiṇā (rétribution rituelle) et le reste prescrit.
Lord Agni (in instruction to the sage Vasiṣṭha, as per the dominant Agni Purana dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Prāyaścitta within pūjā/homa: correcting ritual deficiencies (nyūna-ādi doṣa) through a fixed oblation-count with hetimantra, followed by digbali and dakṣiṇā.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Prāyaścitta-homa for Nyūna-ādi Doṣa with Hetimantra; Digbali and Dakṣiṇā","lookup_keywords":["prāyaścitta","nyūna-doṣa","hetimantra","digbali","dakṣiṇā"],"quick_summary":"If the rite suffers deficiency or similar faults, perform a 100-āhuti corrective homa with the weapon-mantra, then complete the directional bali and give the prescribed fees to restore ritual wholeness."}
Weapon Type: Generic ‘heti’ (weapon) as mantra-symbol; not a battlefield weapon instruction.
Concept: Ritual error is not ignored; it is acknowledged and repaired through prescribed expiation (prāyaścitta) and completion acts (bali, dakṣiṇā).
Application: When omissions occur, do not improvise: use the stated corrective homa count, then finish digbali and give dakṣiṇā to close the rite properly.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Prayashchitta and Homa-vidhi)
Primary Rasa: śānta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A corrective fire-offering: the priest performs 100 oblations with a protective weapon-mantra, then places bali offerings in the directions and finally presents dakṣiṇā to officiants.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, homa-kuṇḍa blazing, priest chanting hetimantra, directional guardians indicated at the eight directions receiving bali, serene temple setting, rhythmic repetition implied by repeated ladle gestures.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style with gold work: central fire-altar, priest offering āhutis, eight directional bali plates around, dakṣiṇā (coins/cloth) presented with ornate detailing, gold highlights on flames and vessels.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, diagrammatic clarity: circular layout showing digbali positions, priest at center with homa implements, a small inset showing dakṣiṇā handover; soft colors and precise lines.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: detailed yajña scene with attendants holding bali trays at cardinal points, priest counting offerings, patron presenting dakṣiṇā, architectural pavilion backdrop, fine textile patterns."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: juhuyāccchataṃ → juhuyāt śatam; pradadyāddakṣiṇādikaṃ → pradadyāt dakṣiṇa-ādikam; digbalim treated as dik-balim.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 100 (homa counts and subsidiary offerings); Agni Purana 101 (pratiṣṭhā sequences where prāyaścitta may be required)
FAQs
It prescribes a corrective rite for ritual defects: perform 100 fire oblations with the ‘weapon’ (heti) mantra, then complete the standard directional bali offerings and give the required dakṣiṇā (ritual fees/gifts).
It exemplifies the text’s procedural ritual manual aspect—covering not only worship but also error-correction protocols (prāyaścitta), including mantras, counts of oblations, bali to directions, and obligatory fees.
By formally expiating deficiencies in a rite through mantra-backed oblations, bali, and dakṣiṇā, the performer restores ritual completeness (pūrṇatā), removes doṣa, and safeguards the intended merit (puṇya) from being diminished.