Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 9
Chapter 66: साधारणप्रतिष्ठाविधानम्
The Procedure for General Consecration
सूर्याय प्रजापतये अन्तरिक्षाय होमयेत् द्यौः स्वाहा ब्रह्मणे स्वाहा पृथिवी महाराजकः
sūryāya prajāpataye antarikṣāya homayet dyauḥ svāhā brahmaṇe svāhā pṛthivī mahārājakaḥ
On doit offrir des oblations (dans le feu) à Sūrya, à Prajāpati et à la région médiane (Antarikṣa), en disant : «À Dyauḥ (Ciel) svāhā», «à Brahmā svāhā», et «à Pṛthivī (Terre), le grand souverain (mahārājaka)».
Lord Agni (traditional narrator of the Agni Purana) addressing sage Vasiṣṭha
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Cosmology","practical_application":"Directing homa oblations to cosmic deities (Sūrya, Prajāpati, Antarikṣa, Dyauḥ, Brahmā, Pṛthivī) with svāhā formulas.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Homa Devatā-List: Sūrya–Prajāpati–Antarikṣa–Dyauḥ–Brahmā–Pṛthivī","lookup_keywords":["sūrya","prajāpati","antarikṣa","dyauḥ svāhā","pṛthivī mahārājaka"],"quick_summary":"The verse enumerates a set of cosmic recipients for oblations, aligning the homa with the vertical cosmos—heaven, mid-space, and earth—through svāhā offerings."}
Concept: Bandhu (correspondence) between ritual recipients and cosmic strata; homa as a microcosmic re-enactment of cosmic order.
Application: Use devatā sequencing to ‘cover’ the cosmos in offerings—sun (order/time), Prajāpati (creation), mid-space (circulation), heaven/earth (supporting poles).
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Agnihotra/Homa and Vedic oblations)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A homa fire with the priest offering successive oblations while visualizing Sūrya above, Antarikṣa as a luminous band, and Pṛthivī below; symbolic icons for Dyauḥ and Brahmā appear as subtle emblems.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, tripartite cosmos backdrop: golden sun disk, blue mid-space with birds, green earth band; priest at homa-kunda; stylized svāhā flames; traditional border motifs.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, radiant Sūrya medallion with gold foil, Brahmā emblematic lotus-seat motif, earth as jeweled base; priest offering ghee; rich ornamentation and embossed highlights.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clear diagrammatic cosmos behind the ritual: labeled Dyauḥ/Antarikṣa/Pṛthivī bands; priest performing sequential offerings; restrained palette for readability.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, layered sky gradations, sun and celestial symbols, meticulous fire altar and vessels; small cartouches naming Sūrya, Prajāpati, Antarikṣa, Dyauḥ, Brahmā, Pṛthivī."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Kalyan","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: No major external sandhi beyond standard visarga in dyauḥ; mahārājakaḥ treated as karmadhāraya compound.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 66 (devatā-homa sequence); Agni Purana cosmology passages describing dyu/antarikṣa/pṛthivī triad (related cosmology chapters)
FAQs
It prescribes a homa sequence: offering oblations to specific cosmic deities/regions—Sūrya, Prajāpati, Antarikṣa—sealed with svāhā invocations to Dyauḥ, Brahmā, and Pṛthivī.
It exemplifies the Purana’s practical ritual manual aspect by cataloging precise recipients and mantra-closures for offerings, integrating cosmology (heaven–midspace–earth) with applied yajña procedure.
Such correctly addressed oblations are taught to harmonize the sacrificer with the cosmic order (ṛta), supporting purification and merit through honoring the sustaining powers of sun, progenitorship, and the three worlds.