Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 46

Chapter 78 — पवित्रारोहणकथनं

Pavitrārohaṇa: Installing the Sanctifying Thread/Garland

Devanagari script

पूर्वित्राणि समादाय प्रोक्षितान्यर्घ्यवारिणा संहितामन्त्रपूतानि नीत्वा पावकसन्निधिं

Transliteration

pūrvitrāṇi samādāya prokṣitānyarghyavāriṇā saṃhitāmantrapūtāni nītvā pāvakasannidhiṃ

Translation

Prenant les instruments rituels préparés auparavant, aspergés de l’eau d’arghya et purifiés par les mantras de la Saṃhitā, on doit les porter en présence du feu sacré (Pāvaka).

Word by Word

• पूर्वित्राणि: the sacred threads/amulets (pavitra-threads)
• पूर्वित्राणि: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पूर्वित्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), बहुवचन

• सम्-आदाय: having taken
• सम्-आदाय: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम्-आ-दा (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त अव्ययकृदन्त (gerund), ‘having taken’

• प्रोक्षितानि: sprinkled
• प्रोक्षितानि: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्र-उक्ष् (धातु)
• Form: क्त (past passive participle), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन; ‘sprinkled’ (qualifying पूर्वित्राणि)

• अर्घ्य-वारिणा: with arghya-water (water for offering)
• अर्घ्य-वारिणा: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अर्घ्य (प्रातिपदिक) + वारि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (अर्घ्यस्य वारि), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (करण), एकवचन

• संहिता-मन्त्र-पूतानि: purified by the saṃhitā-mantras
• संहिता-मन्त्र-पूतानि: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: संहिता (प्रातिपदिक) + मन्त्र (प्रातिपदिक) + पूत (प्रातिपदिक; √पू ‘to purify’)
• Form: बहुपद-तत्पुरुष (संहितायाः मन्त्रैः पूतानि / मन्त्रपूतानि), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन; qualifying पूर्वित्राणि

• नीत्वा: having taken (them)
• नीत्वा: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: नी (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त अव्ययकृदन्त (gerund), ‘having led/taken’

• पावक-सन्निधिम्: to the vicinity/presence of the fire
• पावक-सन्निधिम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पावक (प्रातिपदिक) + सन्निधि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (पावकस्य सन्निधिः), पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

Speaker

Lord Agni (narrating ritual procedure)

Vidya Category

Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Homa/Agni-karya preparation: mantra-purified implements are carried to the fire only after arghya-sprinkling and Saṃhitā-recitation, ensuring ritual śuddhi and procedural correctness.","sutra_style":true}

Encyclopedic Reference

Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Homa-upakaraṇa-śuddhi and carrying implements to the fire","lookup_keywords":["homa-vidhi","arghya-prokṣaṇa","saṃhitā-mantra","pāvaka-sannidhi","upakaraṇa-śuddhi"],"quick_summary":"Ritual implements must be sprinkled with arghya-water and purified by Saṃhitā-mantras before being brought near the sacred fire; this establishes eligibility (adhikāra) and prevents doṣa in the rite."}

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: External purity (bāhya-śauca) supported by mantra-saṃskāra as a prerequisite for effective ritual action (kriyā-siddhi).

Application: Before any offering, standardize a purification sequence: prokṣaṇa with arghya-water + mantra-recitation + controlled approach to the fire.

Khanda Section

Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Agni-karya / Homa-vidhi)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Visual Art Cues

Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritualist lifts prepared implements—ladle, spoon, vessels—freshly sprinkled with arghya-water, while a small sacred fire burns; assistants hold a water-pot and mantra-text, indicating Saṃhitā-recitation.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style: homa-kuṇḍa with bright stylized flames, priest in white with sacred thread, implements glistening with water droplets, minimal background, strong outlines, warm ochres and reds, serene śauca mood.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting: central agni with gold-leaf halo, priest carrying mantra-purified implements, ornate kalasha nearby, rich reds/greens, embossed gold detailing on vessels and flame aura.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting: instructional composition showing sequence—sprinkling arghya-water, reciting Saṃhitā-mantras, then carrying implements to fire; delicate lines, soft shading, labeled implements.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: intimate indoor yajña scene, detailed textiles and brass vessels, priest approaching fire with implements, attendant holding arghya-pot, fine architectural framing, naturalistic flames."}

Audio Atmosphere

Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}

Sandhi Resolution Notes

Sandhi Resolution Notes: प्रोक्षितान्यर्घ्यवारिणा = प्रोक्षितानि + अर्घ्यवारिणा; पावकसन्निधिं = पावक + सन्निधिम्

Cross References

Related Themes: Agni Purana Puja-vidhi sections on prokṣaṇa, ācamana, and homa-upacāra; Agni Purana chapters on mantra-śuddhi and nyāsa (contextual)

Characters & Entities

• Agni
• Pāvaka
• Saṃhitā-mantras
• Arghya

FAQs

What technical or ritual knowledge (Vidya) is imparted in this verse?

It prescribes the preparatory step in homa/puja: ritual implements must be consecrated by sprinkling with arghya-water and by Saṃhitā-mantras, then brought near the fire for use.

How does this verse contribute to the 'Encyclopedic' nature of the Agni Purana?

It documents an exact, procedural detail of liturgy—how objects are ritually purified and staged for homa—showing the text’s practical manual-like coverage of worship technology alongside its broader theological and cultural topics.

What is the spiritual or karmic significance of this specific instruction?

Consecration by water and mantra removes ritual impurity and makes the act fit for offering to Agni, aligning the practitioner’s action with śuddhi (purity) and thereby supporting the merit (puṇya) of the rite.