Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 14
Chapter 76 — चण्डपूजाकथनम्
Narration of the Worship of Caṇḍa/Caṇḍeśa
पूरकान्वितमूलेन मन्त्रानात्मनि योजयेत् निर्माल्यापनयस्थानं लिम्पेद्गोमयवारिणा प्रोक्ष्यार्घ्यादि विसृज्याथ आचान्तो ऽन्यत्समाचरेत्
pūrakānvitamūlena mantrānātmani yojayet nirmālyāpanayasthānaṃ limpedgomayavāriṇā prokṣyārghyādi visṛjyātha ācānto 'nyatsamācaret
Avec le mantra-racine (root-mantra) accompagné de l’inspiration (pūraka), on doit intérioriser et appliquer les mantras en soi-même. Le lieu où l’on enlève les nirmālya (restes d’offrandes) doit être enduit d’eau mêlée de bouse de vache ; après l’avoir aspergé puis avoir rejeté l’arghya et les autres résidus d’offrande, ayant accompli l’ācamana, on doit poursuivre les rites restants.
Lord Agni (in instruction to Sage Vasiṣṭha, Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Puja-vidhi","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Guides post-puja purification: internal mantra-nyasa with breath control, hygienic disposal of nirmalya, and resetting ritual purity before continuing remaining rites.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Nirmalya-apanayana, prokshana, and acamana after mantra-nyasa","lookup_keywords":["pūraka","mantra-yoga/nyāsa","nirmālya-apanayana","gomaya-udaka-lepana","prokṣaṇa-ācāmana"],"quick_summary":"After internalizing mantras with pūraka, remove nirmālya properly; cleanse the disposal spot with gomaya-water, sprinkle, discard arghya remnants, perform ācamana, and proceed with the remaining ritual steps."}
Concept: Outer purity (śauca) supports inner purity; mantra becomes effective when internalized (ātmani yojana) and followed by disciplined purification acts.
Application: Use breath-linked japa/nyāsa for focus; maintain strict cleanliness protocols for offerings and remnants; reset purity via ācamana before continuing.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Ritual Procedures and Purification Rites)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A worshipper completes mantra-nyāsa with controlled inhalation, then removes wilted garlands and remnants; the disposal spot is smeared with gomaya-water, sprinkled, arghya remnants are poured away, and the worshipper performs ācamana before resuming rites.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style: priest in white dhoti near a small shrine, holding a water vessel and darbha; nirmālya basket nearby; he smears a designated corner with gomaya-water and sprinkles; warm earthy palette, stylized architecture, sacred cleanliness theme.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting: richly ornamented shrine backdrop with gold leaf accents; devotee/priest with kamandalu and arghya-patra; nirmālya placed aside; depiction of prokṣaṇa droplets and ācamana gesture; luminous, devotional yet procedural composition.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting: instructional clarity—stepwise tableau showing (1) pūraka-japa, (2) nirmālya removal, (3) gomaya-water smear, (4) prokṣaṇa, (5) arghya disposal, (6) ācamana; fine lines, soft colors, labeled ritual implements.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: detailed interior of a puja chamber; attendant holds a tray of remnants; main figure sprinkles water and performs ācamana; precise rendering of vessels, textures of gomaya smear, and architectural niche; subdued elegance."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पूरकान्वितमूलेन = pūraka-anvita-mūlena; मन्त्रानात्मनि = mantrān ātmani; लिम्पेद्गोमयवारिणा = limpet gomaya-vāriṇā; प्रोक्ष्यार्घ्यादि = prokṣya arghya-ādi; विसृज्याथ = visṛjya atha; आचान्तो ऽन्यत्समाचरेत् = ācāntaḥ anyat samācaret.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Puja-vidhi sections on prokṣaṇa, ācamana, and nirmālya rules; Agni Purana chapters on mantra-nyāsa and prāṇāyāma in ritual context
FAQs
It teaches a post-pūjā purification sequence: internalizing mantras with pūraka (breath-in), cleansing the nirmālya-removal area with gomaya-water and prokṣaṇa (sprinkling), disposing arghya remnants properly, and completing ācamana before continuing other rites.
Beyond theology, it preserves precise operational ritual protocol—breath-linked mantra application, hygienic purification agents (gomaya-water), and standardized disposal/cleansing steps—showing the Agni Purāṇa as a practical manual for temple and domestic worship procedure.
It frames purity as both internal (mantra integrated with disciplined breath) and external (clean disposal and sanctification of remnants), helping prevent ritual fault (doṣa) and supporting the merit (puṇya) and sanctity of continued worship actions.