Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 1
Chapter 76 — चण्डपूजाकथनम्
Narration of the Worship of Caṇḍa/Caṇḍeśa
हः गणेभ्य उ इति ग, चिह्नितपुस्तकपाठः हां ऋपिभ्य इति ङ, चिह्नितपुस्तकपाठः वायव्यामिति ग, चिह्नितपुस्तकपाठः नैरृत इति ङ, चिह्नितपुस्तकपाठः अथ षट्सप्ततितमो ऽध्यायः चण्दपूजाकथनं ईश्वर उवाच ततः शिवान्तिकङ्गत्वा पूजाहोमादिकं मम गृहाण भगवन् पुण्यफलमित्यभिधाय च
haḥ gaṇebhya u iti ga, cihnitapustakapāṭhaḥ hāṃ ṛpibhya iti ṅa, cihnitapustakapāṭhaḥ vāyavyāmiti ga, cihnitapustakapāṭhaḥ nairṛta iti ṅa, cihnitapustakapāṭhaḥ atha ṣaṭsaptatitamo 'dhyāyaḥ caṇdapūjākathanaṃ īśvara uvāca tataḥ śivāntikaṅgatvā pūjāhomādikaṃ mama gṛhāṇa bhagavan puṇyaphalamityabhidhāya ca
« Haḥ — “aux Gaṇa” », dit une leçon manuscrite marquée ; « Hāṃ — “aux Ṛṣi” », dit une autre leçon marquée ; « dans la direction du nord-ouest (vāyavya) », dit une leçon ; « dans la direction du sud-ouest (nairṛta) », dit une autre. Commence maintenant le soixante-seizième chapitre : l’exposé du culte de Caṇḍa. Le Seigneur dit : « Ensuite, s’étant approché de Śiva et ayant accompli l’adoration, les oblations (homa) et le reste, dis : “Ô Bhagavān, reçois ces actes d’adoration et ces offrandes au feu comme fruit méritoire”, » et ayant ainsi parlé…
Īśvara (the Lord; here in a Śaiva frame, i.e., Śiva as speaker within the chapter heading context)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Puja-vidhi","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Text-critical and ritual guidance: variant readings for mantra/directional assignment, then commencement of Caṇḍa-pūjā narrative and the formal request to Śiva to accept pūjā and homa.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Caṇḍa-pūjā commencement and manuscript variants (Haḥ/Hāṃ; vāyavya/nairṛta)","lookup_keywords":["chanda puja","haḥ gaṇebhyaḥ","hāṃ ṛṣibhyaḥ","vāyavya nairṛta variant","śiva acceptance formula"],"quick_summary":"Notes variant readings for seed/mantra allocation and direction; then introduces the Caṇḍa worship chapter, including the formal speech-act requesting Śiva to accept worship and oblations as meritorious."}
Concept: Ritual efficacy depends on correct mantra transmission; acknowledging variants signals fidelity to paramparā while preserving the intent—devotion and proper offering to Śiva.
Application: When manuscripts differ, maintain consistent ritual logic (directional placement and recipient class—Gaṇas/Ṛṣis) and conclude with a clear acceptance-prayer to the deity.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Shiva/Tantric worship procedures)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: raudra
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A scribe-like marginal note scene showing two manuscripts with different marked readings (Haḥ/Hāṃ; vāyavya/nairṛta), transitioning to a priest approaching Śiva’s shrine and performing pūjā and homa, then speaking a formal acceptance prayer.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: split-panel—left shows palm-leaf manuscripts with red/black markings; right shows Śiva shrine with priest offering into homa fire; bold outlines, sacred ambiance.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: Śiva as central icon with gold halo; priest with homa ladle; side vignette of palm-leaf manuscript; rich gold embossing on shrine ornaments.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: instructional illustration—two variant text boxes and arrows to ritual placement (NW vs SW); then a calm depiction of priest reciting acceptance formula before Śiva; fine linework.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: scholar-priest comparing manuscripts in a library corner, then moving to a pavilion shrine with a small fire altar; intricate textiles, architectural detail, restrained palette."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: Text contains editorial notes ‘चिह्नितपुस्तकपाठः’ and bīja-syllables. शिवान्तिकङ्गत्वा read as शिवान्तिकम् + गत्वा. षट्सप्ततितमोऽध्यायः = षट्सप्ततितमः + अध्यायः. पुण्यफलमित्यभिधाय = पुण्यफलम् + इति + अभिधाय.
Related Themes: Agni Purana: preceding dikpala/bali sections (context); Agni Purana: mantra-bheda/nyāsa and mudrā sections (for seed syllables and placements); Agni Purana: Śaiva pūjā and homa procedures (elsewhere in pūjā-vidhi)
FAQs
It introduces a Caṇḍa-pūjā context and gives a ritual speech-act: after approaching Śiva and performing pūjā and homa, the practitioner formally offers the rite’s merit (puṇya-phala) to the deity for acceptance; it also preserves manuscript variants about mantric syllables and directional placement (vāyavya/nairṛta).
Beyond theology, it records practical liturgical mechanics—seed-syllables, recipients (Gaṇas/Ṛṣis), and dik-orientation—along with critical manuscript notes, showing the Agni Purana’s compendium-style preservation of ritual variants and implementation details.
By explicitly dedicating the performed worship and fire-offerings to Śiva as ‘puṇya-phala,’ the act is framed as merit-bearing and sanctifying, aligning the ritual with devotional surrender and the transfer/confirmation of religious merit.