Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 38
Chapter 72 — स्नानविशेषादिकथनम्
Special Rules of Bathing, Mantra-Purification, and Sandhyā
स्वाहान्तशिवमन्त्रेण कुशपुष्पाक्षतान्वितं शिवायार्घ्याञ्जलिन्दत्वा गायत्रीं शक्तितो जपेत्
svāhāntaśivamantreṇa kuśapuṣpākṣatānvitaṃ śivāyārghyāñjalindatvā gāyatrīṃ śaktito japet
Avec un mantra de Śiva se terminant par « svāhā », accompagné d’herbe kuśa, de fleurs et de grains de riz intacts, après avoir offert à Śiva l’arghya dans les mains jointes en coupe, on doit réciter la Gāyatrī selon sa capacité.
Lord Agni (instructing sage Vasiṣṭha in ritual procedure)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Shaiva pūjā sequence: offer arghya to Śiva with ritual materials while using a svāhā-ending Śiva-mantra, then recite Gāyatrī as capacity permits.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Śiva-arghya with svāhā-ending mantra; Gāyatrī-japa","lookup_keywords":["śiva-mantra","svāhā","arghya","kuśa-puṣpa-akṣata","gāyatrī-japa"],"quick_summary":"Offer arghya to Śiva with kuśa, flowers, and akṣata while reciting a Śiva-mantra ending in svāhā; afterward, perform Gāyatrī-japa according to one’s strength and time."}
Concept: Mantra + upacāra (offerings) + regulated japa forms a complete worship-technology; ‘yathāśakti’ emphasizes sustainable practice over strain.
Application: Maintain consistency: simple arghya with correct materials and mantra, then steady Gāyatrī-japa within one’s capacity.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Shaiva Mantra-japa and Arghya procedures)
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A devotee offers arghya to a Śiva-liṅga with cupped hands, kuśa grass, flowers, and akṣata visible; then sits for Gāyatrī-japa with a rosary.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: Śiva-liṅga shrine with lamp glow; devotee offering arghya with kuśa and flowers, then seated in japa posture; rich earthy tones, sacred stillness.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: Śiva-liṅga adorned, gold leaf on ornaments and lamp; devotee holding arghya añjali with kuśa-puṣpa-akṣata, radiant devotional focus, ornate arch framing.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: precise depiction of ritual items—kuśa, flowers, akṣata, arghya vessel; devotee transitions to japa, clean composition suitable for instructional illustration.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: intimate temple alcove, detailed textiles and vessels; devotee offering arghya to Śiva, then counting beads for Gāyatrī, fine architectural detailing."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: svāhāntaśivamantreṇa = svāhā-anta-śiva-mantrena; kuśapuṣpākṣatānvitaṃ = kuśa-puṣpa-akṣata-anvitam; śivāyārghyāñjalindatvā = śivāya + arghya-añjalim + datvā (a+a sandhi; m+d → nd orthographic).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 72 (Pūjā-vidhi: arghya and japa sequence); Agni Purana mantra and pūjā procedural chapters (general)
FAQs
It teaches a specific Shaiva japa-sequence: use a Śiva mantra ending in “svāhā,” prepare ritual accompaniments (kuśa, flowers, akṣata), offer arghya in añjali to Śiva, and then perform Gāyatrī-japa as per one’s capacity.
It exemplifies the Agni Purana’s manual-like coverage of practical worship—detailing implements, offerings, and mantra-application—alongside its broader subjects, thereby functioning as a compact ritual handbook within an encyclopedic Purana.
The verse frames worship as disciplined, respectful offering (arghya) followed by mantra-recitation (japa), implying purification and merit through correct ritual conduct and sincere practice within one’s means (śaktitaḥ).