Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 16
अध्याय ७३: सूर्यपूजाविधिः
Sūrya-pūjā-vidhi — The Procedure for Sun-Worship
शराणुना फडन्तेन समाहत्याणुसंहृतिं भां नेत्रायेति ग, चिह्नितपुस्तकपाठः पराङ्मुखञ्चार्घ्यमिति ख, ग, चिह्नितपुस्तकपाठः शवानुना फडन्तेन समाहृत्यानुसंहतिमिति ख, चिह्नितपुस्तकद्वयपाठः शवाणुना फडन्तेन समहत्यार्थं संहतिमिति ग, चिह्नितपुस्तकपाठः हृत्पद्मे शिवसूर्येतिसंहारिण्योपसंस्कृतिं
śarāṇunā phaḍantena samāhatyāṇusaṃhṛtiṃ bhāṃ netrāyeti ga, cihnitapustakapāṭhaḥ parāṅmukhañcārghyamiti kha, ga, cihnitapustakapāṭhaḥ śavānunā phaḍantena samāhṛtyānusaṃhatimiti kha, cihnitapustakadvayapāṭhaḥ śavāṇunā phaḍantena samahatyārthaṃ saṃhatimiti ga, cihnitapustakapāṭhaḥ hṛtpadme śivasūryetisaṃhāriṇyopasaṃskṛtiṃ
En frappant l’obstacle subtil au moyen du mantra-projectile se terminant par « phaḍ », on doit accomplir l’aṇu-saṃhṛti (retrait/compactage subtil). Selon une recension : « bhāṃ, au Œil (netra) ! » ; selon une autre : « Offre l’arghya en te détournant. » Dans une autre leçon : « L’ayant rassemblé par le śavāṇu-mantra se terminant par ‘phaḍ’, accomplis le compactage subtil. » Ainsi, dans le lotus du cœur, on doit parachever la consécration finale (upasaṃskṛti) de la saṃhāriṇī (procédure de retrait/dissolution) par la formule « Śiva–Sūrya … ».
Lord Agni (instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha in ritual/mantra procedure)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Protective/withdrawal rite using phaḍ-ending missile-mantras, nyāsa-like internal compaction (aṇu-saṃhṛti) and heart-lotus consecration to remove subtle obstacles during worship.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Aṇu-saṃhṛti and Saṃhāriṇī Upasaṃskṛti with Phaḍ-Mantra (Recensional Variants)","lookup_keywords":["phaḍ","aṇu-saṃhṛti","netra-mantra","hṛtpadma","śiva-sūrya"],"quick_summary":"Use a phaḍ-ending ‘missile’ mantra to strike and withdraw subtle impediments; apply variant readings (netra-bīja ‘bhāṃ’ etc.) and complete the dissolution-consecration in the heart-lotus with a Śiva–Sūrya formula."}
Weapon Type: Astra (mantra-missile; phaḍ-ending)
Concept: Antaryāga: external protection is completed by internal saṃhāra/saṃhṛti—compacting distractions and obstacles into stillness within the heart-lotus.
Application: Before/within worship, perform mantra-‘strike’ and internal withdrawal to stabilize attention and protect the rite from subtle doṣas (vighna, asiddhi).
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Mantra-tantra (Protective rites, nyasa and mantra-application)
Primary Rasa: Adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: Shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"An adept performs a protective rite: a gesture of ‘striking’ with mantra (phaḍ), then visualizes subtle obstruction collapsing inward; finally consecrates the heart-lotus with a Śiva–Sūrya formula, with marginal notes showing variant readings.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, yogic figure seated, right hand in protective mudrā, stylized heart-lotus glowing, concentric subtle particles contracting, sacred syllables ‘phaḍ’ and ‘bhāṃ’ painted as decorative script, deep earthy palette.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, central yogin with radiant heart-lotus in gold emboss, mantra syllables in ornamental bands, Śiva–Sūrya dual aura (cool ash-grey and solar gold), rich temple-like framing.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional diagram feel: sequence panels—(1) phaḍ strike mudrā, (2) aṇu-saṃhṛti contraction, (3) netra-bīja application, (4) hṛtpadma upasaṃskṛti; fine lines, muted colors.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, scholar-adept with manuscript showing variant readings, subtle luminous heart-lotus depicted symbolically, delicate calligraphy of ‘phaḍ’, ‘bhāṃ’, refined interior setting."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: Text is heavily variant/critical-apparatus-like. Core readable segment analyzed: śarāṇunā phaḍantena samāhatya aṇu-saṃhṛtim bhāṃ netrāya iti ... hṛt-padme śiva-sūrya-iti-saṃhāriṇī-upasaṃskṛtim. Other variant readings (parāṅmukham ca arghyam iti; śavānunā... etc.) omitted from pada-table as they are editorial notes.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 73 (protective adjuncts to Saura worship); Agni Purana 74 (astra-water at doorway parallels protective mantra-application)
FAQs
It teaches a mantra-prayoga: using a ‘phaḍ’-ending striking formula to effect aṇu-saṃhṛti (subtle withdrawal/compaction), optionally paired with the bīja ‘bhāṃ’ for the Netra (Eye) and a concluding upasaṃskṛti performed in the heart-lotus with a Śiva–Sūrya mantra cue.
Beyond narrative theology, it preserves practical ritual technology—variant manuscript readings, specific bījas (bhāṃ), exclamatory mantras (phaḍ), and inner-ritual placements (hṛtpadma)—showing the text’s compendium-like coverage of applied mantra and ceremonial procedure.
The procedure is aimed at purification and controlled withdrawal (saṃhāra) of subtle forces/obstacles, completing the rite through inner consecration in the heart-lotus—traditionally understood to restore ritual integrity, protection, and mental/spiritual steadiness.