Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 4
Kapilādipūjāvidhāna — Procedure for Worship Beginning with Kapilā
वन्दितासि वसिष्ठेन विश्वामित्रेण धीमता कपिले हर मे पापं यन्मया दुष्कृतं कृतं
vanditāsi vasiṣṭhena viśvāmitreṇa dhīmatā kapile hara me pāpaṃ yanmayā duṣkṛtaṃ kṛtaṃ
Ô Kapilā, tu es vénérée par Vasiṣṭha et par le sage Viśvāmitra. Ôte mon péché — tout acte mauvais que j’ai pu accomplir.
Lord Agni (narrative voice) presenting a supplicatory formula/prayer within the chapter’s ritual context
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Prayashchitta","secondary_vidya":"Stotra","practical_application":"Confessional supplication within worship: invoking Kapilā’s sanctity (praised by Vasiṣṭha and Viśvāmitra) to remove pāpa arising from one’s misdeeds; used as a repentance-prayer during or after pūjā.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Kapilā as pāpa-haraṇī: repentance prayer citing Vasiṣṭha and Viśvāmitra","lookup_keywords":["pāpa-haraṇa","prāyaścitta-stuti","Vasiṣṭha","Viśvāmitra","Kapilā"],"quick_summary":"Acknowledge wrongdoing and seek purification by praying to Kapilā—validated by the reverence of great ṛṣis—asking her to remove sin and restore ritual-moral purity."}
Alamkara Type: Anumāna/Pramāṇa by authority (ṛṣi-prasiddhi) and direct petition
Concept: Moral accountability and purification: confession plus turning toward a sanctifying refuge; recognition that pāpa is removable through sincere repentance and dharmic correction.
Application: Use as a daily repentance prayer; pair with corrective action—non-harm, restitution, charity, and disciplined conduct—rather than relying on words alone.
Khanda Section: Prayashchitta & Stotra (Purification, confession, and supplication within ritual narrative)
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A devotee bows before Kapilā, hands folded, confessing misdeeds; behind or beside the cow stand sages Vasiṣṭha and Viśvāmitra honoring her, signifying authoritative sanctity and purification.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: Kapilā with halo; Vasiṣṭha and Viśvāmitra in ascetic attire with matted hair and kamandalu; devotee prostrating; strong outlines, temple-wall composition emphasizing absolution.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: central cow with gold aura; sages flanking in reverent pose; devotee kneeling; gold leaf on halo and ornaments; rich devotional palette conveying forgiveness.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: serene repentance scene; clear facial expressions of humility; sages rendered with delicate shading; minimal background to focus on prāyaścitta mood.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: refined courtyard with sages and devotee; cow central; subtle gestures of reverence; calligraphic panel with the prayer; detailed textiles and subdued tones."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: वन्दितासि = vanditā asi; यन्मया = yat mayā.
Related Themes: Agni Purana prāyaścitta discussions in ritual chapters; Agni Purana sections on śauca and expiation connected to worship errors
FAQs
It gives a direct prāyaścitta-style supplication: invoking Kapilā as a purifier and explicitly confessing wrongdoing to seek pāpa-nāśana (removal of sin).
Alongside its many technical subjects, the Agni Purana preserves practical religious formulas—short, usable prayers for purification—showing its coverage of ritual life and karmic ethics in addition to encyclopedic lore.
The verse models repentance and surrender: acknowledging personal wrongdoing and requesting cleansing, which is presented as a means to reduce karmic demerit and restore ritual-spiritual purity.