Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 14
Chapter 72 — स्नानविशेषादिकथनम्
Special Rules of Bathing, Mantra-Purification, and Sandhyā
स्नात्वा चोत्तीर्य तत्तीर्थं संहारिण्योपसंहरेत् अथातो विधिशुद्धेन संहितामन्त्रितेन च
snātvā cottīrya tattīrthaṃ saṃhāriṇyopasaṃharet athāto vidhiśuddhena saṃhitāmantritena ca
Après s’être baigné puis être sorti de ce tīrtha (gué sacré), on doit accomplir l’upasaṃhāra, le retrait conclusif, au moyen de la Saṃhāriṇī (formule de conclusion/recueillement). Ensuite, on doit poursuivre avec ce qui est purifié par la procédure correcte (vidhi-śuddha) et accompagné de la récitation des mantras de la Saṃhitā.
Lord Agni (traditionally instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s ritual sections)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"After tīrtha-bath, perform upasaṃhāra (ritual withdrawal/conclusion) using the Saṃhāriṇī formula, then continue with vidhi-śuddha actions supported by Saṃhitā-mantra recitation to properly close the rite.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Tīrtha-snānānantara Upasaṃhāra with Saṃhāriṇī and Saṃhitā-mantra Support","lookup_keywords":["uttīrya","upasaṃhāra","saṃhāriṇī","vidhi-śuddha","saṃhitā-mantra","tīrtha"],"quick_summary":"Conclude the bathing rite by a formal withdrawal (upasaṃhāra) using the Saṃhāriṇī formula, then proceed only with actions purified by correct procedure and reinforced by Saṃhitā-mantras."}
Concept: Ritual completion (saṃhāra) is as important as initiation; vidhi-śuddhi safeguards intention and prevents ‘leakage’ of attention after sacred acts.
Application: Always include a closing mantra/withdrawal step after intense rites (snāna, nyāsa, abhiṣeka) before returning to ordinary activity.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Tirtha-snanam, Mantra-samhara, Ritual Conclusion Rites)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
Type: Tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"After emerging from the sacred ford, the devotee performs a concluding withdrawal gesture/mantra (Saṃhāriṇī), then stands composed, continuing with purified, rule-correct actions while reciting Saṃhitā-mantras.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, devotee stepping out of river onto ghat, performing concluding mudrā, subtle script-like mantra band, calm dusk palette, temple silhouette in background","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, post-bath figure with wet cloth, holding prayer beads, gold-highlighted mantra scroll motif representing Saṃhitā-mantras, sense of formal completion","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, sequential storyboard: emerge from tīrtha → upasaṃhāra with Saṃhāriṇī → proceed to next rite, clear didactic layout, gentle colors","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, ghat architecture with steps, central figure concluding rite with composed posture, attendant holding manuscript (saṃhitā), refined linework and subdued tones"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Shree","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: चोत्तीर्य = च + उत्तीर्य; तत्तीर्थं = तत् + तीर्थम्; संहारिण्योपसंहरेत् = संहारिण्या + उपसंहरेत्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 72 (saṃhāra/upasaṃhāra and concluding rites)
FAQs
It teaches the correct post-bath ritual sequence: after exiting the tīrtha, one must formally conclude the rite via a Saṃhāriṇī-based upasaṃhāra, then proceed with actions/mantras that are ritually ‘procedure-pure’ (vidhi-śuddha) and supported by Saṃhitā-mantra recitation.
By documenting precise ritual micro-protocols—how to close a rite after tīrtha-snāna and how to apply concluding mantras—it exemplifies the Agni Purana’s catalog-like treatment of practical liturgy alongside its many other disciplines.
It emphasizes that purification is not only the bath itself but also the proper ritual closure; completing upasaṃhāra with correct mantras is presented as necessary for the rite’s integrity and for securing its intended merit (puṇya) without procedural fault.