Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 34
Chapter 72 — स्नानविशेषादिकथनम्
Special Rules of Bathing, Mantra-Purification, and Sandhyā
ततः शिवात्मकैर् मन्त्रैः कृत्वा तीर्थं शिवात्मकं मार्जनं संहितामन्त्रैस्तत्तोयेन समाचरेत्
tataḥ śivātmakair mantraiḥ kṛtvā tīrthaṃ śivātmakaṃ mārjanaṃ saṃhitāmantraistattoyena samācaret
Ensuite, après avoir consacré l’eau rituelle (tīrtha) par des mantras qui incarnent Śiva, en en faisant un tīrtha de nature śivaïte, on doit accomplir le mārjana (aspersion/essuyage purificatoire) avec les mantras de la Saṃhitā, en utilisant cette même eau.
Lord Agni (narrating ritual procedure to Sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purāṇa’s instructional discourse)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Puja-vidhi","practical_application":"Teaches consecration of ritual water as Śiva-infused tīrtha and its use for mārjana (sprinkling/purificatory wiping) with Saṃhitā-mantras in Śaiva-leaning Sandhyā/ācāra.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Śivātmaka Tīrtha-sādhana and Saṃhitā-mantra Mārjana","lookup_keywords":["śivātmaka mantra","tīrtha consecration","mārjana","saṃhitā-mantra","prokṣaṇa"],"quick_summary":"Procedure: first empower water with Śiva-embodying mantras to make it ‘Śiva-tīrtha’; then perform mārjana using Saṃhitā-mantras with that same water for purification."}
Concept: Mantra transforms substance: water becomes Śiva-tattva-bearing tīrtha; purification (mārjana) is effected through mantra + consecrated medium.
Application: Before sprinkling or wiping for purity, consecrate water with Śiva-mantras; then recite Saṃhitā-mantras while applying that water to self/implements/space.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Śaiva tīrtha-śuddhi and mantra-mārjana procedures)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A practitioner holds a water vessel (pātra/kalaśa), recites Śiva-mantras to consecrate it, then sprinkles (mārjana) the sanctified water while chanting Saṃhitā-mantras.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, ritualist seated near a small altar, kalaśa and water bowl, stylized mantra-wave motifs around water, Śaiva symbols (tripuṇḍra, bilva) subtly present","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, priest with ornate vessel, gold-embossed aura around the water indicating consecration, rich temple interior, emphasis on sacred implements","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear stepwise depiction: consecration over water vessel then sprinkling action, fine lines, instructional clarity, minimal but precise ritual objects","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, intimate ritual scene with detailed vessel and droplets, calligraphic suggestion of mantra recitation, refined palette, calm devotional atmosphere"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: शिवात्मकैर् मन्त्रैः → शिव-आत्मकैः मन्त्रैः; संहितामन्त्रैस्तत्तोयेन → संहिता-मन्त्रैः तत्-तोयेन.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 72 (mārjana, mantra-śuddhi, kara-tīrtha context)
FAQs
It teaches the procedural sequence of Śaiva pūjā: first consecrate the tīrtha (ritual water) using Śiva-imbued mantras, then carry out mārjana (mantric cleansing/sprinkling) with Saṃhitā-mantras using that same water.
By preserving precise, step-by-step liturgical technique—how to prepare sanctified water and apply it in purification—this verse exemplifies the Agni Purāṇa’s practical manual-like coverage of temple/household ritual, mantra-application, and procedural orthopraxy.
Consecrating water with Śiva-mantras and performing mārjana is intended to remove ritual impurity (aśauca/doṣa), establish sanctity (śuddhi), and make the practitioner and the ritual space fit for successful worship and its merit-bearing results.