Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 32
Chapter 72 — स्नानविशेषादिकथनम्
Special Rules of Bathing, Mantra-Purification, and Sandhyā
पैत्र्यं मूले प्रदेशिन्याः कनिष्ठायाः प्रजापतेः ब्राह्म्यमङ्गुष्ठमूलस्थं तीर्थं दैवं कराग्रतः
paitryaṃ mūle pradeśinyāḥ kaniṣṭhāyāḥ prajāpateḥ brāhmyamaṅguṣṭhamūlasthaṃ tīrthaṃ daivaṃ karāgrataḥ
À la base de l’index se trouve le tīrtha des Pitṛ (ancêtres) ; à la base de l’auriculaire se trouve le tīrtha de Prajāpati. À la base du pouce se trouve le tīrtha Brāhma, et aux extrémités de la main (le bout des doigts) se trouve le tīrtha Daiva (divin).
Lord Agni (teaching the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Puja-vidhi","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Maps kara-tīrthas (hand sacred spots) for correct ritual sipping/offering, purification, and orientation of acts to devas/pitṛs.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Kara-tīrtha Nirdhāraṇa (Pitṛ–Prajāpati–Brāhma–Daiva)","lookup_keywords":["kara-tīrtha","pitṛ-tīrtha","prajāpati-tīrtha","brāhma-tīrtha","daiva-tīrtha"],"quick_summary":"Gives a practical hand-map: forefinger base = Pitṛ, little-finger base = Prajāpati, thumb base = Brāhma, fingertips = Daiva; used to direct ritual water and offerings appropriately."}
Concept: Ritual efficacy through correct designation of kara-tīrthas (microcosmic sacred loci).
Application: During ācamana/arpana/tarpaṇa, touch or pour water from the specified hand-region to align the act with pitṛs, prajāpati, brahmanical sanctity, or devas.
Khanda Section: Tirtha-nirnaya & Kara-tirtha (Ritual Purification via Hand Sacred-Spots)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Close-up instructional depiction of a right hand with marked sacred points: base of forefinger (Pitṛ), base of little finger (Prajāpati), base of thumb (Brāhma), fingertips (Daiva).","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, stylized hand diagram with traditional linework, labeled sacred points using symbolic icons (pitṛ, prajāpati, brahma, deva), earthy reds and ochres","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, ornate framed hand diagram, gold highlights on tīrtha points, small deity/ancestor emblems near each location, rich jewel tones","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clean instructional hand illustration, precise placement of tīrtha points, subtle shading, minimal background, didactic composition","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, delicate hand study with fine brushwork, small calligraphic labels implied, muted palette, emphasis on anatomical elegance"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":null,"pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ब्राह्म्यमङ्गुष्ठमूलस्थं → ब्राह्म्यम् अङ्गुष्ठ-मूल-स्थम्; कराग्रतः → कर-अग्रतः (अव्ययीभाव).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 72 (kara-tīrtha and mudrā/nyāsa passages continuing in 72.33–72.34)
FAQs
It defines specific kara-tīrthas (sacred points on the hand)—Pitṛ, Prajāpati, Brāhma, and Daiva—used when performing ācamana, offerings, and purification acts by touching/using water with the designated part of the hand.
By cataloging micro-level ritual technique (hand-based tīrtha geography), it preserves practical liturgical know-how alongside broader theology—showing the Agni Purana’s coverage of both doctrine and precise procedural details.
Using the correct kara-tīrtha aligns an act (such as honoring ancestors or gods) with its proper ritual channel, supporting purity (śuddhi) and the intended merit (puṇya) of the rite.