Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 13
Chapter 76 — चण्डपूजाकथनम्
Narration of the Worship of Caṇḍa/Caṇḍeśa
इति विज्ञाप्य देवेशं दत्वार्घ्यं तस्य संस्मरन् संहारमूर्तिमन्त्रेण शनैः संहारमुद्रया
iti vijñāpya deveśaṃ datvārghyaṃ tasya saṃsmaran saṃhāramūrtimantreṇa śanaiḥ saṃhāramudrayā
Ainsi, après avoir fait sa requête au Seigneur des dieux et lui avoir offert l’arghya (offrande rituelle d’eau), en se souvenant de lui, on doit alors—lentement—accomplir le rite de dissolution (saṃhāra) au moyen du mantra de la Forme de Saṃhāra, conjointement avec la saṃhāra-mudrā (geste de dissolution).
Lord Agni (instructing sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Ritual ‘saṃhāra’ (dissolution/withdrawal) phase: after arghya and notification (vijñapti), perform dissolution using Saṃhāra-mūrti mantra with corresponding mudrā, slowly and deliberately.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Saṃhāra (Visarjana/Withdrawal) with Saṃhāra-mudrā and Mantra","lookup_keywords":["arghya","vijñapti","saṃhāra-mūrti","saṃhāra-mudrā","visarjana"],"quick_summary":"After offering arghya and formally informing the deity, conclude by slowly performing the dissolution/withdrawal using the Saṃhāra-form mantra together with the Saṃhāra-mudrā."}
Concept: Ritual energy must be consciously withdrawn and resolved (saṃhāra) to complete the cycle of invocation–presence–release.
Application: Always include a deliberate, slow dissolution step with the correct mantra and mudrā to avoid ‘unfinished’ ritual states and to restore ordinary space.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Tantric/Ritual Procedure and Mudras)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"After offering arghya, the priest performs a slow dissolution gesture (saṃhāra-mudrā) while reciting the saṃhāra-form mantra, as the invoked presence is respectfully withdrawn.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, priest pouring arghya water then raising hands in a stylized saṃhāra-mudrā, subtle aura around the deity fading, lamp-lit sanctum ambience.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, arghya vessel in foreground, priest in precise mudrā, gold haloed deity with a gentle ‘withdrawing’ aura, ornate arch and gold work.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clear depiction of hand positions for saṃhāra-mudrā, step-by-step feel, arghya pot and altar neatly drawn, calm instructional tone.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, delicate depiction of water offering and hand gesture, fading incense smoke, refined interior details, emphasis on slow, ceremonial closure."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: datvārghyam = datvā arghyam; deveśaṃ = deva-īśam; saṃhāramūrtimantreṇa = saṃhāra-mūrti-mantreṇa.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 76 (arghya, vijñapti, saṃhāra/visarjana sequence)
FAQs
It teaches the formal concluding step of worship: after arghya and remembrance, the practitioner performs ritual withdrawal/dissolution using the Saṃhāra-mūrti mantra together with the Saṃhāra-mudrā, done gradually (śanaiḥ).
Beyond theology, it preserves procedural liturgy—specific mantras, gestures (mudrā), and sequence (notification, offering, remembrance, dissolution)—showing the Agni Purana’s practical coverage of ritual technology alongside its many other disciplines.
Performing saṃhāra correctly seals the rite, withdraws invoked presence in an orderly way, and prevents ritual incompleteness (apūrṇatā), supporting purity, steadiness of mind, and the intended merit of the worship.