Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 3
Chapter 81 — समयदीक्षाविधानम्
Procedure for Samaya Initiation
तृतीयः सकलः शास्त्रे ऽनुग्राह्यस्त्रिविधो मतः तत्राद्यो मलमात्रेण मुक्तो ऽन्यो मलकर्मभिः
tṛtīyaḥ sakalaḥ śāstre 'nugrāhyastrividho mataḥ tatrādyo malamātreṇa mukto 'nyo malakarmabhiḥ
Dans l’enseignement du śāstra, le troisième type est appelé « sakala » (le complet) et est tenu pour apte à recevoir la grâce ; on le dit triple. Parmi ceux-ci, le premier est délivré par le seul résidu d’impureté (mala), tandis qu’un autre est délivré par la purification des impuretés et des actes (karma).
Lord Agni (instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s didactic dialogue framework)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Philosophy","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Diagnosing the aspirant’s liberation-readiness by distinguishing whether bondage remains as mere mala (impurity) or as mala plus karma, guiding the appropriate intensity of sadhana and initiation.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Trividha Mukti-yogyata (Liberation fitness by mala/karma)","lookup_keywords":["mala","karma","mukti","trividha","anugraha"],"quick_summary":"Liberation-eligibility is classified as threefold; some are freed when only residual impurity remains, while others require purification of both impurity and action (karma). Use this typology to choose the right discipline and grace-oriented approach."}
Concept: Bondage persists as mala and/or karma; liberation occurs by removal of these, sometimes requiring only the last trace of impurity to be dissolved by grace.
Application: Self-assess whether one’s obstacles are primarily habitual action-patterns (karma) or subtle impurity (mala), then emphasize ethical purification and karma-kshaya or subtle contemplative purification accordingly.
Khanda Section: Moksha-dharma / Jnana-yoga (Purification and liberation typology)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A guru instructs three classes of seekers, indicating different layers of impurity (mala) and action (karma) being purified before liberation.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, seated Shaiva guru under a stylized tree, three disciples in distinct postures, symbolic dark veil for mala and action-knots for karma, flat warm palette, temple-wall composition.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central guru with halo and gold leaf, three devotees with labeled scrolls ‘mala’ and ‘karma’, ornate arch, rich reds and greens, devotional yet didactic.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, fine linework, guru pointing to a diagram of threefold liberation fitness, subtle shading, calm interior ashram setting, manuscript and rosary details.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly scholarly scene with a Shaiva teacher, three students, marginal notes showing ‘mala’ and ‘karma’, delicate textiles, architectural niche background."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: शास्त्रे ऽनुग्राह्यः = शास्त्रे + अनुग्राह्यः; अनुग्राह्यस्त्रिविधः = अनुग्राह्यः + त्रिविधः; तत्राद्यः = तत्र + आद्यः; मुक्तो ऽन्यः = मुक्तः + अन्यः.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 81 (Moksha-dharma/Jnana-yoga typology); Agni Purana sections on diksha and mantra-shuddhi (nearby in ch. 81)
FAQs
It gives a technical classification of a ‘complete’ (sakala) aspirant eligible for grace (anugrāhya) into three subtypes, distinguished by whether liberation depends on residual impurity (mala) alone or on both impurity and karmic action (karma) that must be purified.
By systematizing liberation as a taxonomy (threefold division) using precise doctrinal terms like mala, karma, anugraha, and mukti—showing the text’s compendium-style approach to philosophy alongside its many other sciences.
It frames liberation as dependent on the exhaustion of impurities and karmic residues, and highlights ‘eligibility for grace’ as a decisive factor—implying that purification (of mala/karma) and divine favor together determine the final release.