Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 56
Chapter 59 — अधिवासनकथनं
Adhivāsana: The Rite of Inviting and Stabilizing Hari’s Presence
दहेत्तु विष्णुगायत्र्या गायत्र्या श्रपयेच्चरुं होमयेच्च बलिं दद्यादुत्तरे भोजयेद्द्विजान्
dahettu viṣṇugāyatryā gāyatryā śrapayeccaruṃ homayecca baliṃ dadyāduttare bhojayeddvijān
Il doit allumer le feu (ou consumer l’offrande) par la Viṣṇu-gāyatrī ; et, par la Gāyatrī (ordinaire), cuire le caru, la bouillie sacrificielle. Ensuite, qu’il accomplisse le homa, offre le bali, puis nourrisse les dvija (hôtes brāhmaṇa).
Lord Agni (in the Agni Purana’s primary narration to the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Mantra-specific sequencing for fire-rite: ignition with Viṣṇu-gāyatrī, cooking caru with Gāyatrī, then homa, bali, and brāhmaṇa-bhojana.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Viṣṇu-gāyatrī-dahana & Gāyatrī-caru-pāka in Homa","lookup_keywords":["Viṣṇu-gāyatrī","caru","homa-vidhi","bali","dvija-bhojana"],"quick_summary":"The verse prescribes a compact homa workflow: mantra for kindling, mantra for cooking the oblation, followed by offering, bali distribution, and concluding hospitality to brāhmaṇas."}
Concept: Yajña as integrated duty: mantra (śruti), offering (karma), and social completion through feeding the dvija (dāna/atithi-dharma).
Application: In ritual planning, allocate time and resources not only for homa but also for bali distribution and brāhmaṇa-bhojana as the rite’s completion.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Vedic–Puranic Homa and Bali Procedures)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A homa-kuṇḍa blazing; the officiant kindles fire while chanting Viṣṇu-gāyatrī, cooks caru in a vessel with Gāyatrī, then offers āhutis, places bali portions, and finally serves seated brāhmaṇas.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, vivid fire altar, priest chanting with raised ladle, separate pot of caru, bali plates arranged, brāhmaṇas seated in a row receiving food, stylized flames and lotus borders.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style with gold-highlighted agni flames and ladle, ornate vessels for caru, richly decorated bali plates, brāhmaṇas with gold halos as honored guests, temple interior with gilded arch.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear stepwise depiction: (1) kindling (2) cooking caru (3) homa (4) bali (5) feeding dvijas; fine lines, soft colors, instructional labels.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed utensils and textiles, fire altar in courtyard, attendants preparing caru, bali offerings on leaf plates, brāhmaṇas dining on low stools, intricate floral margins."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shuddha Saveri","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: dahettu = dahet + tu; śrapayeccaruṃ = śrapayet + carum; homayecca = homayet + ca; dadyāduttare = dadyāt + uttare; bhojayeddvijān = bhojayet + dvijān (t→d sandhi).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 59 (Adhivāsana and pūjā sequence)
FAQs
It prescribes a sequence in a fire-ritual: using Viṣṇu-gāyatrī for kindling/burning, cooking the caru with Gāyatrī, performing homa, giving bali, and concluding with brāhmaṇa-bhojana (feeding dvijas).
It functions as a concise ritual manual entry—linking mantra-usage, food-oblation preparation (caru), fire-offering protocol (homa), ancillary offerings (bali), and social-religious completion through gifting/feeding—showing the Purana’s practical coverage of liturgy and dharmic conduct.
Correct mantra-guided homa and bali are purification-oriented acts, and feeding dvijas is a meritorious completion (puṇya) that seals the rite through hospitality and dharmic giving, traditionally believed to enhance efficacy and auspicious results.