Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 39
Agnisthāpana-vidhi (Procedure for Establishing the Sacred Fire) and Protective Īśāna-kalpa Homa Sequences
अवगुण्ठ्य तनुत्रेण रक्षेदाज्यं शराणुना हृदाज्यविन्दुविक्षेपात् कुर्यादभ्युक्ष्य शोधनं
avaguṇṭhya tanutreṇa rakṣedājyaṃ śarāṇunā hṛdājyavinduvikṣepāt kuryādabhyukṣya śodhanaṃ
L’ayant recouvert d’une cuirasse protectrice (tanūtra), on doit garder le ghṛta au moyen d’une « flèche » (śara). Si, depuis la région du cœur, des gouttes de ghee se dispersent, on accomplit la purification en aspergeant (abhyukṣya) d’eau consacrée.
Lord Agni (in discourse to sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Weapon-handling protocol and field-ritual purity: protect vital supplies (ājya) with armor/cover and arrow-guard; if spillage occurs from the heart-region, perform purification by sprinkling.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Protection of ājya and śodhana by abhyukṣaṇa in martial-ritual context","lookup_keywords":["tanūtra","śarāṇu","ājya-rakṣaṇa","abhyukṣaṇa","śodhana"],"quick_summary":"Guard the ghee (a critical ritual resource) using protective covering and arrow-based safeguarding; if ghee droplets scatter (notably from the heart area), restore purity through sprinkling consecrated water."}
Weapon Type: Bow/Arrow (śara) and protective cuirass (tanūtra)
Concept: Rakṣā (protection) and śauca (purity) as twin duties—martial vigilance paired with ritual cleanliness.
Application: In high-stakes practice (battlefield or ritual), protect essentials; if impurity/accident occurs, apply immediate corrective purification rather than proceeding carelessly.
Khanda Section: Dhanurveda (Military Science: Archery practice and weapon-handling protocols)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A martial-ritual setting: a ghee vessel is covered by a cuirass-like protector; an arrow is placed as a guard; a few ghee drops scatter near the chest/heart area of the practitioner, who then sprinkles consecrated water to purify.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, warrior-priest figure with bow and arrow near a ritual setup, ājya pot shielded by armor, dynamic yet controlled posture, sprinkling water gesture, earthy reds and greens.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, warrior with ornate cuirass, arrow held protectively beside a gold-accented ghee vessel, small water pot for sprinkling, strong frontal composition with gold highlights.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style instructional scene: clearly drawn cuirass covering the vessel, arrow positioned as guard, depiction of ghee droplets and the act of abhyukṣaṇa (sprinkling) with a small spoon/hand, minimal background.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed camp scene: archer in lamellar armor, ghee vessel protected, accidental droplets shown, attendant offers water for sprinkling; fine linework and realistic textures."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: रक्षेदाज्यं = रक्षेत् आज्यम्; हृदाज्यविन्दुविक्षेपात् = हृदा आज्य-विन्दु-विक्षेपात्; कुर्यादभ्युक्ष्य = कुर्यात् अभ्युक्ष्य; शराणुना = शर-अणुना (समास/पाठपरम्परा)
Related Themes: Agni Purana Dhanurveda sections (weapon protocol, discipline); Agni Purana 75 (śodhana/abhyukṣaṇa in ritual contexts)
FAQs
It gives a Dhanurveda-style handling protocol: protect/cover the setup, keep ritual ghee safeguarded even while working with arrows, and if ghee droplets get scattered, perform śodhana (purification) by sprinkling.
It shows the text blending practical military/archery discipline with ritual cleanliness—typical of the Agni Purana’s encyclopedic scope where weapons-science, procedural rules, and purification rites are taught together.
Maintaining ājya and performing abhyukṣaṇa-śodhana reinforces ritual purity (śauca), minimizing doṣa from negligence and aligning martial practice with dharmic, consecrated conduct.