Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 10
जीर्णोद्धारः (Jīrṇoddhāra) — Renovation and Ritual Handling of Defective Liṅgas and Old Shrines
रुसिस्तवादिविधिना अधितिष्ठस्व मां शिव एवं विज्ञाप्य देवेशं शान्तिहोमं समाचरेत्
rusistavādividhinā adhitiṣṭhasva māṃ śiva evaṃ vijñāpya deveśaṃ śāntihomaṃ samācaret
« Ô Śiva, demeure en moi (et préside à ce rite) selon la procédure prescrite d’invocation et de louange. » Ainsi, après avoir dûment informé le Seigneur des dieux, on accomplira le śānti-homa, l’offrande au feu de pacification.
Lord Agni (narrating ritual procedure to Sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Performing śānti-homa after formally invoking Śiva to preside: use prescribed stava/invocation procedure, request divine indwelling/oversight, then execute the pacificatory fire-offering to neutralize defects/inauspiciousness.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Śiva-Ādhāraṇa (Invocation) and Śānti-Homa for Pacification","lookup_keywords":["śānti-homa","adhitiṣṭha","stava-vidhi","devēśa-vijñapti","śiva-āvāhana"],"quick_summary":"Invoke and praise Śiva according to rule, request his presiding presence, and then conduct the śānti-homa as the operative pacification rite."}
Concept: Efficacy of ritual depends on proper āvāhana (invited presence) and stava (praise) aligning the practitioner with the deity before the operative homa.
Application: Before remedial homa, explicitly invoke the deity to preside; treat praise and invitation as functional prerequisites, not ornamentation.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Shanti-homa and pacificatory ritual procedure)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: Temple
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A homa-kuṇḍa blazing with controlled flames; the guru-priest performs āvāhana with añjali and recites stava; offerings of ghee and samidhs are placed into the fire as the śānti-homa proceeds under Śiva’s presiding presence.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, luminous fire altar with rhythmic flames, priest invoking Śiva with raised hands, assistants holding ghee ladles and samidh bundles, sacred smoke curling, serene yet potent atmosphere","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central homa fire with gold highlights, Śiva’s presence suggested above (subtle aura/linga), priest offering ghee with ornate ladle, rich temple décor and gold-work on vessels","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional depiction of śānti-homa steps: āvāhana/stava posture, then offering sequence into kuṇḍa, precise rendering of kuṇḍa geometry and utensils","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed ritual chamber with homa-kuṇḍa, priest and assistants in fine textiles, delicate smoke and flame rendering, architectural borders and carpets framing the solemn rite"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: rusistavādividhinā segmented as rusi-stava-ādi-vidhinā (reading uncertain; likely a compound ending in -vidhinā).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 103.9 (context: dūṣṭa-liṅga śānti via uddhāraṇa); Agni Purana 103 (homa and pūjā-vidhi sequences)
FAQs
It teaches the operational sequence for śānti-homa: invoke/praise Śiva by the proper ritual method, formally notify/invoke the presiding Deity (deveśa), and then perform the pacificatory oblations as a regulated rite.
It exemplifies the Agni Purāṇa’s manual-like coverage of applied religious technology—precise procedural instructions for fire rituals—alongside its broader subjects, making it a compendium of practical Purāṇic disciplines.
Śānti-homa is framed as a purification and appeasement act: correct invocation and performance are meant to pacify adverse influences, remove obstacles, and restore auspiciousness through deity-presided sacrificial action.