Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 33
Agnisthāpana-vidhi (Procedure for Establishing the Sacred Fire) and Protective Īśāna-kalpa Homa Sequences
धृताभ्यां सम्मुखं वह्नेरस्त्रेणाप्लवमाचरेत् हृदात्मसम्मुखं तद्वत् कुर्यात् सम्प्लवनन्ततः
dhṛtābhyāṃ sammukhaṃ vahnerastreṇāplavamācaret hṛdātmasammukhaṃ tadvat kuryāt samplavanantataḥ
Les deux mains tenues (selon la règle), face au feu, on doit accomplir le rite d’‘aplava’ au moyen du mantra de l’arme (astra). De même, face à son propre cœur et au soi intérieur, on accomplira ensuite le ‘samplavana’ (immersion totale/pénétration protectrice).
Lord Agni (in instruction to the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Protective rite using astra-mantra: perform aplava facing the fire with prescribed hand posture, then perform samplavana facing the heart/self—used for sealing the ritual space, warding obstacles, and internal armor (kavaca-like pervasion).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Aplava and Samplavana by Astra-mantra (external and internal sealing)","lookup_keywords":["astra-mantra","aplava","samplavana","vahni-sammukha","hṛdaya-sammukha"],"quick_summary":"Use the astra-mantra to execute an external protective action before the fire, then repeat internally toward the heart to achieve complete pervasion—linking ritual protection with inner psychic sealing."}
Weapon Type: Astra (mantra-weapon)
Concept: Outer and inner protection are homologous: the same mantra-śakti that seals the yajña-space must also pervade the practitioner’s heart to prevent leakage of attention and prāṇa.
Application: Before intense mantra/homa, perform a brief external ‘astra’ sealing and then an internal heart-directed sealing to maintain focus and reduce fear/interruptions.
Khanda Section: Agneya-vidya (Mantra-Astra Prayoga / Protective Rites)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Practitioner stands or sits facing the blazing homa fire, hands held in a firm mudrā, projecting an invisible ‘astra’ barrier; then turns inward, hands near chest, directing the same protective force to the heart region.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, dynamic stance before fire, bold lines showing protective arc from hands, then second vignette with hands at heart, calm but powerful aura","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold radiance around hands and heart, flame altar central, embossed protective circle motif (digbandhana) around the scene","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, step-by-step instructional panels: (1) facing fire aplava with astra, (2) facing heart samplavana; clear hand positions and directional arrows","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed ritual chamber, priest gesturing as if casting a weapon of light, translucent circular barrier around fire, then intimate heart-focused gesture"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"focused","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: वह्नेरस्त्रेण = वह्नेः + अस्त्रेण; अस्त्रेणाप्लवम् = अस्त्रेण + अप्लवम्; अप्लवमाचरेत् = अप्लवम् + आचरेत्; हृदात्मसम्मुखम् = हृद् + आत्म + सम्मुखम्
Related Themes: Agni Purana 75 (Agneya-vidyā protective subsequence); Agni Purana mantra-kavaca/nyāsa related passages (where astra is used for digbandhana)
FAQs
It teaches a two-step astra-mantra procedure: first performing an ‘aplava’ rite while facing the sacred fire, and then internalizing the same act by performing ‘samplavana’ while facing the heart/inner self.
It shows the Agni Purana’s technical cataloging of applied ritual technology—precise directions (stance/orientation, sequence, and mantra-tool use) combining external fire-rite practice with an internal, yogic-ritual application.
By shifting from fire-facing ritual to heart-facing ritual, the verse frames protection/purification as both outer sacramental action and inner consecration—aimed at sealing the practitioner with mantra-born safeguarding and sanctity.