Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 8
Chapter 69 — स्नानविधानम्
Rules for Ritual Bathing / Snapanotsava-vidhi
ऐन्द्रे तु नवके मध्ये घृतपूर्णं घटं न्यसेत् पलाशाश्वत्थन्यग्रोधविल्वोदुम्बरशीर्षां
aindre tu navake madhye ghṛtapūrṇaṃ ghaṭaṃ nyaset palāśāśvatthanyagrodhavilvodumbaraśīrṣāṃ
Dans le rite d’Indra, au centre de la disposition en neuf (navaka), qu’on place un vase rempli de ghṛta (ghee, beurre clarifié), muni d’un bouquet de rameaux sommitaux de palāśa, aśvattha, nyagrodha, bilva et udumbara.
Lord Agni (instructing sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vrata","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Indra-related kalpa: installing a central ghee-filled pot in the ninefold mandala, topped/covered with auspicious sprigs of specified sacred trees for prosperity and protection.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Aindra-navaka madhya ghrita-kalasha with pañca-vriksha-śīrṣa","lookup_keywords":["Aindra","navaka","ghrita-kalasha","palāśa","aśvattha-nyagrodha-bilva-udumbara"],"quick_summary":"For the Indra rite, place a ghee-filled central kalasha in the ninefold layout and adorn it with sprigs of palāśa, aśvattha, nyagrodha, bilva, and udumbara to invoke auspicious power."}
Dosha: Tridosha
Concept: Dravya-sampat and vriksha-sampat as ritual ‘supports’ (adhara) for invoking deva-shakti.
Application: Select ritually ‘sattvic’ supports—ghee and sacred tree sprigs—and keep them at the mandala center to anchor the rite.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Ritual Procedure / Kalpa: Indra-related rite)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ninefold mandala is laid out; at its center sits a large kalasha brimming with ghee, crowned with a cluster of sprigs from palāśa, aśvattha, nyagrodha, bilva, and udumbara, arranged like a sacred bouquet.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, central ghee-kalasha glowing, five sacred tree sprigs fanning outward, Indra-rite ambience with ritual lamps, stylized priests, warm earthy palette","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-leaf brilliance on the kalasha and ghee surface, jeweled ornaments, lush green pallava cluster of five trees, ornate temple border","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clean diagram of navaka with central pot, botanically distinct sprigs labeled by shape, instructional yet devotional composition","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, highly detailed foliage textures for each tree sprig, reflective ghee surface in pot, attendants arranging leaves, refined pavilion setting"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Indra-related: Desh","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: घृतपूर्णं = घृत + पूर्णम्; पलाशाश्वत्थन्यग्रोधविल्वोदुम्बरशीर्षां = पलाश + अश्वत्थ + न्यग्रोध + विल्व + उदुम्बर + शीर्षाम् (समास/सूचीसमाहारः)।
Related Themes: Agni Purana 69 (Indra-related kalpa and kalasha variants)
FAQs
It specifies the ritual placement (nyāsa) of a ghee-filled pot at the center of a ninefold (navaka) altar/mandala arrangement in the Aindra rite, along with the prescribed sacred tree sprigs used to mark or sanctify the vessel.
It preserves precise procedural details—layout logic (navaka), required substances (ghṛta), and botanical specifications (five sacred trees)—showing how the Agni Purana functions as a practical manual for ritual technology alongside its broader theological content.
Centering a consecrated ghee vessel and using revered tree species symbolically stabilizes the rite, supports purity and auspiciousness, and is intended to attract Indra’s favor—prosperity, protection, and ritual success (siddhi).