Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 36
Agnisthāpana-vidhi (Procedure for Establishing the Sacred Fire) and Protective Īśāna-kalpa Homa Sequences
पक्षद्वयमिडादीनां त्रयं चाज्ये विभावयेत् क्रामाद्भागत्रयादाज्यं स्रुवेणादाय होमयेत्
pakṣadvayamiḍādīnāṃ trayaṃ cājye vibhāvayet krāmādbhāgatrayādājyaṃ sruveṇādāya homayet
On doit, par la pensée, assigner deux parts à iḍā et aux offrandes qui s’y rattachent, et trois parts dans l’ājya (ghṛta). Puis, selon l’ordre prescrit, prenant le ghee de la triple part avec la louche (sruva), on l’offre au feu en oblations (homa).
Lord Agni (instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha in ritual procedure, as typical of Agni Purana’s dialogic frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Homa sequencing: mentally allocating iḍā-related portions and threefold ājya division, then offering in correct order with sruva.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Iḍā-pakṣa and threefold ājya-bhāga: sequential homa offering","lookup_keywords":["iḍā","pakṣa-dvaya","ājya-bhāga-traya","sruva","krama-homa"],"quick_summary":"Visualize/assign the prescribed portions (two for iḍā etc., three within ghee), then take ghee by ladle from the threefold division and offer in the stated sequence."}
Concept: Saṅkalpa and krama (ordered intention and sequence) govern efficacy in yajña-karman.
Application: Before action, mentally structure the offering portions; execute without confusion to prevent prayoga-doṣa.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Agni-hotra/Homa Prayoga; Havih-samskara and offering procedure)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"The officiant pauses in contemplation, mentally dividing offerings; a ghee vessel is shown with three notional sections, and the sruva lifts ghee in sequence toward the fire.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, priest seated near homa-kunda, thoughtfulness shown by calm eyes; ājya vessel depicted with three symbolic bands; sruva poised; rhythmic flames and sacred geometry.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, gold-accented ājya vessel with three embossed divisions, priest holding sruva mid-offer, fire altar radiant with gold highlights, symmetrical ritual layout.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore instructional painting, diagrammatic clarity: threefold division of ghee indicated by subtle lines, two iḍā portions indicated by paired markers, priest offering with sruva step-by-step.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, close interior scene: attendant holds ājya pot, priest uses sruva; threefold division suggested by careful shading; sequential motion captured in elegant posture."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shri","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पक्षद्वयम् = पक्ष-द्वयम्; त्रयं चाज्ये = त्रयम् च आज्ये; क्रामाद्भागत्रयादाज्यं = क्रमात् भागत्रयात् आज्यम्; स्रुवेणादाय = स्रुवेण आदाय
Related Themes: Agni Purana 75 (ājya-homa krama; iḍā/related offerings; sruva usage)
FAQs
It teaches the precise homa procedure of mentally allocating portions for iḍā-related offerings and a threefold division of ghee, then offering ājya in sequence using the sruva ladle.
It preserves a manual-style, technical ritual instruction (a prayoga) within a Purana, showing how the text functions not only as mythology but also as a practical compendium for liturgy, yajña technique, and temple/household worship protocols.
Correct sequencing and measured offerings in homa are traditionally held to ensure ritual efficacy (siddhi), purification, and the intended merit (puṇya) by aligning the practitioner’s action and intention with prescribed sacred procedure.