Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 39
Chapter 72 — स्नानविशेषादिकथनम्
Special Rules of Bathing, Mantra-Purification, and Sandhyā
दाक्षिण्यः कर्मणां सन्ध्या इति ख, चिह्नितपुस्तकपाठः कुम्भयेदिति ख, ङ, चिह्नितपुस्तकपाठः तर्पणं सम्प्रवक्ष्यामि देवतीर्थेन मन्त्रकात् तर्पयेद्धौं शिवायेति स्वाहान्यान् स्वाहया युतान्
dākṣiṇyaḥ karmaṇāṃ sandhyā iti kha, cihnitapustakapāṭhaḥ kumbhayediti kha, ṅa, cihnitapustakapāṭhaḥ tarpaṇaṃ sampravakṣyāmi devatīrthena mantrakāt tarpayeddhauṃ śivāyeti svāhānyān svāhayā yutān
« À présent, j’exposerai le rite de tarpaṇa, au moyen du geste de main devatīrtha et des mantras appropriés. On doit offrir des libations avec le mantra “dhauṃ śivāya”, ainsi que d’autres offrandes accompagnées de l’énoncé “svāhā”. »
Lord Agni (instructor-narrator of ritual procedure, addressing a sage such as Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purāṇa’s dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vrata","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Perform tarpaṇa (libations) using the devatīrtha hand-gesture and specified mantras, including ‘dhauṃ śivāya’ and other svāhā-accompanied offerings, as part of sandhyā-related rites.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Tarpaṇa with devatīrtha and Śaiva mantras","lookup_keywords":["tarpaṇa","devatīrtha","dhauṃ śivāya","svāhā","sandhyā"],"quick_summary":"Tarpaṇa is offered with the devatīrtha hand-configuration while reciting ‘dhauṃ śivāya’ and additional svāhā-linked mantras, integrating Śaiva mantra into sandhyā-style libations."}
Concept: Gesture (tīrtha-mudrā) and mantra together define the efficacy and intended recipient of offerings; disciplined form channels intention.
Application: Learn correct devatīrtha hand placement and keep mantra pronunciation steady; perform tarpaṇa regularly where appropriate (sandhyā/śrāddha-adjacent contexts).
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Tarpana and Sandhya-related ritual procedure)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A practitioner at a water’s edge performs tarpaṇa: hands arranged in devatīrtha gesture, water flowing as libations while Śaiva mantras are recited; ritual vessels and kuśa nearby.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: riverside ritual scene, devotee in devatīrtha hand-gesture pouring water, subdued sacred landscape, lamp and kuśa bundle, meditative atmosphere.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: ornate depiction of ritualist with gold-highlighted vessels; flowing water rendered stylized, mantra-offering to Śiva implied, rich decorative border.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: clear instructional focus on devatīrtha hand-gesture and water stream; minimal background, labeled-feel composition, precise ritual implements.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: detailed riverbank with attendants and vessels; central figure performing tarpaṇa with distinctive hand gesture, fine water rendering, calligraphic panel for ‘dhauṃ śivāya’."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shankara","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: Verse contains editorial notes (‘iti kha… cihnitapustakapāṭhaḥ’, ‘kumbhayed iti…’) which are excluded from pada-analysis as non-verse apparatus. tarpayeddhauṃ = tarpayet + dhauṃ (d + dh sandhi/orthography).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 72 (Tarpaṇa and sandhyā-related procedure); Agni Purana ritual-mudrā and mantra usage passages (general)
FAQs
It teaches the practical method of performing tarpaṇa (ritual libations) using the devatīrtha hand-gesture and specific mantra-forms—especially an offering with the formula “dhauṃ śivāya” and additional offerings sealed with “svāhā.”
By preserving precise, procedural ritual technology—hand-gestures (tīrthas), bīja usage, and offering-closures like svāhā—this chapter functions as a compact manual of pūjā and purification practice alongside the Purāṇa’s many other disciplines.
Correctly performed tarpaṇa is presented as a purificatory act that ritually ‘satiates’ the intended deity (here, Śiva) and supports spiritual cleanliness, merit (puṇya), and the proper completion of daily/occasional rites.