Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 15
Chapter 64 — कूपादिप्रतिष्ठाकथनं
The Account of the Consecration of Wells and Other Water-Works
आपो देवीति गिरिजैर् एकाशीविघटैस्ततः स्नापयेद्वरुणस्येति त्वन्नो वरुणा चार्घ्यकं
āpo devīti girijair ekāśīvighaṭaistataḥ snāpayedvaruṇasyeti tvanno varuṇā cārghyakaṃ
Ensuite, avec une eau née de la montagne (source ou rivière) conservée dans des jarres consacrées, on doit baigner Varuṇa en récitant «Āpo devīḥ…». Puis, en offrant l’arghya à Varuṇa, on récitera «Varuṇasya…» ainsi que «Tvanno Varuṇa…».
Lord Agni (teaching ritual procedure in the Agni Purana’s dialogic narration)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Devatā-snāpana and arghya procedure for Varuṇa using specific water-source (giri-ja) and specified Vedic mantras.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Varuṇa-snāpana with Āpo devīḥ and arghya mantras","lookup_keywords":["Āpo devīḥ","giri-ja jala","snāpana","arghya","Tvanno Varuṇa"],"quick_summary":"Bathe Varuṇa with mountain/spring water stored in consecrated jars while reciting “Āpo devīḥ…”. Then offer arghya with the mantras “Varuṇasya…” and “Tvanno Varuṇa…”."}
Concept: Ritual efficacy depends on correct dravya (source-water), saṃskāra (consecrated jars), and mantra-nyāsa through recitation during offering.
Application: Standardizes Varuṇa-upacāra: abhiṣeka then arghya with designated mantras.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Snana–Arghya–Mantra Prayoga / Varuna-upacara)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: Mountain
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Varuṇa’s image on an altar is bathed with clear mountain water poured from consecrated jars; afterward arghya is offered with cupped hands or a vessel while specific Varuṇa mantras are recited.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, Varuṇa with makara emblem, priests pouring giri-ja water from ornate kalaśas, flowing stylized water bands, mantra scrolls, serene temple setting.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, gold-embossed Varuṇa idol/arcā, bright blue abhiṣeka stream, richly decorated consecrated jars, arghya vessel in foreground, gold highlights on water droplets and ornaments.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, stepwise ritual depiction: jar (kalaśa) labeled, abhiṣeka stream, then arghya offering; clean instructional layout with soft shading.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, refined interior shrine scene, attendants holding crystal-like jars, priest offering arghya, delicate calligraphy panel with “Āpo devīḥ”, cool palette emphasizing water purity."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Megh","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: devīti = devī + iti; snāpayedvaruṇasya = snāpayet + varuṇasya; varuṇasyeti = varuṇasya + iti; tvanno = tvat + naḥ; cārghyakam = ca + arghyakam.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 64.14 (water sourcing and Varuṇa-jala); Agni Purana 64.16 (upacāra mantras for offerings); Agni Purana 64.18 (adhi-vāsa and sānnidhya)
FAQs
It prescribes a precise puja-sequence: deity-bathing (snāna) with the Vedic “Āpo devīḥ” water-mantra using ritually prepared vessels (eleven jars), followed by offering arghya to Varuṇa with Varuṇa-invocation mantras (“Varuṇasya…”, “Tvanno Varuṇa…”).
It preserves practical liturgical details—mantra selection, water type, vessel count, and the order of snāna and arghya—showing the Agni Purana’s role as a procedural manual for temple and household worship alongside its broader teachings.
Water-mantra bathing and arghya to Varuṇa ritualize purification and moral order (ṛta/dharma) associated with Varuṇa, aiming at cleansing impurities, securing ritual correctness, and gaining protective merit through properly invoked Vedic waters.