Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 13
Agnisthāpana-vidhi (Procedure for Establishing the Sacred Fire) and Protective Īśāna-kalpa Homa Sequences
सम्भृतिं परिधानस्य शौचमाचमनं हृदा गर्भाग्नेः पूजनं कृत्वा तद्रक्षार्थं शराणुना
sambhṛtiṃ paridhānasya śaucamācamanaṃ hṛdā garbhāgneḥ pūjanaṃ kṛtvā tadrakṣārthaṃ śarāṇunā
Après avoir préparé convenablement la tenue, accompli la purification du corps et l’ācamana avec l’esprit recueilli, on doit adorer le Garbhāgni (le feu consacré, intérieur ou domestique) ; et pour sa sauvegarde, accomplir l’acte protecteur au moyen du śarāṇu (tige de roseau/hampe de flèche).
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vrata","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Household/inner fire (garbhagni) worship with preparatory purity acts and a specific protective rite using śarāṇu to safeguard the consecrated fire.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Garbhagni-puja with Shauca, Acamana, and Raksha by Sharanu","lookup_keywords":["garbhagni","acamana","shauca","raksha","sharanu"],"quick_summary":"After proper dress-preparation, purification, and mindful ācamana, worship the garbhāgni and perform a protective act with śarāṇu to preserve its sanctity."}
Weapon Type: Arrow-shaft/reed (śarāṇu) used as ritual implement (not combat)
Concept: Outer cleanliness and inner intention (hṛdā) jointly constitute ritual purity; protection preserves continuity of sacred fire.
Application: Standardize pre-ritual hygiene and mindful ācamana; maintain a protected hearth/altar space.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Garbhagni/household fire ritual procedures)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Type: Household (griha)
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A householder-priest, freshly purified, performs ācamana and then worships a small consecrated household fire, touching/marking protection with a śarāṇu implement.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, domestic shrine corner with small fire altar, priest performing acamana, śarāṇu held as protective wand, warm lamp-lit ambience","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, garbhagni in a decorated brazier, gold accents on vessels and altar cloth, priest in reverent pose holding śarāṇu, rich reds and greens","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, stepwise depiction: clothing prep, shauca, acamana, then garbhagni-puja with śarāṇu, clean composition and labeled implements","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, intimate household courtyard, detailed utensils and textiles, small fire altar, priest performing protection gesture with reed/shaft"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: śaucamācamanaṃ = śaucam + ācamanam; tadrakṣārtham = tat + rakṣā-artham (avyayībhāva).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 75 (garbhagni and raksha procedures)
FAQs
It prescribes a sequence for Garbhāgni worship: prepare one’s attire, perform śauca and ācamana with mental focus, then worship the consecrated fire and apply a rakṣā (protective) measure using a śarāṇu implement.
It exemplifies the text’s practical ritual manual character—detailing procedural purity (śauca/ācamana), mental discipline (hṛdā), and specific protective implements—alongside its many other domains like polity, medicine, and martial sciences.
Maintaining purity and correct protection of the sacred fire is treated as safeguarding a living locus of worship; it supports ritual efficacy, removes impurity, and sustains auspiciousness and merit (puṇya) in domestic and consecratory rites.