Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 42
Chapter 81 — समयदीक्षाविधानम्
Procedure for Samaya Initiation
कुण्डवह्निस्रुगाज्यादि प्राग्वत् संस्कृत्य भावयेत् मुख्यतामूर्ध्ववक्त्रस्य हृदि वह्नौ शिवं यजेत्
kuṇḍavahnisrugājyādi prāgvat saṃskṛtya bhāvayet mukhyatāmūrdhvavaktrasya hṛdi vahnau śivaṃ yajet
Après avoir préparé et consacré, comme précédemment, la fosse (kuṇḍa), le feu rituel, la louche (srug), le ghee et les autres objets requis, on doit accomplir la visualisation prescrite. Tenant pour principal l’aspect au visage tourné vers le haut (ūrdhva‑vaktra), on doit adorer Śiva dans le feu, en ce centre du cœur.
Lord Agni (in the Agni Purana’s primary narration)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Agni-vidya / Homa and Shiva-upasana procedures)","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Consecration of homa implements and guided visualization to worship Śiva in the fire, emphasizing the upward-facing aspect and heart-centered contemplation.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Homa-saṃskāra and Śiva-arcana in Agni with Ūrdhva-vaktra Prādhānya","lookup_keywords":["kunda-samskara","vahni","sruk","ajya","urdhva-vaktra"],"quick_summary":"Consecrate the kuṇḍa, fire, ladle, ghee and requisites; then visualize and worship Śiva within the fire, taking the upward-facing aspect as primary and locating worship in the heart of the fire."}
Concept: Deity is invoked as immanent in Agni; visualization (bhāvanā) and saṃskāra transform materials into a locus of worship, integrating outer rite with inner focus (heart-center).
Application: During homa, maintain a stable visualization of Śiva in the fire’s ‘heart’ while performing offerings with consecrated implements.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Agni-vidya / Homa and Shiva-upasana procedures)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: Ritual locus (kuṇḍa/Agni)
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A consecrated fire-pit with bright flames; the ladle and ghee are purified; the worshipper visualizes Śiva within the fire’s heart, emphasizing an upward-facing aspect, and performs worship/offerings.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, blazing kuṇḍa with stylized flames, priest holding sruk over ājya, within the flames a subtle Śiva form indicated by icon-like silhouette and halo, strong reds/oranges, temple aesthetic","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, radiant homa fire with gold leaf highlights, priest offering ghee with ornate ladle, Śiva appearing within flames as luminous presence, rich jewel tones and heavy gold work","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear depiction of kuṇḍa, sruk, ājya vessel, and the visualization cue (Śiva in the fire’s center), refined linework and soft gradients suitable for instructional depiction","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed homa scene with attendants and implements, realistic flame rendering, subtle divine figure of Śiva within fire, intricate textiles and architectural backdrop"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: kuṇḍavahnisrugājyādi → kuṇḍa-vahni-sruk-ājya-ādi; mukhyatāmūrdhvavaktrasya → mukhyatām + ūrdhva-vaktrasya.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 81 (homa-vidhi: kuṇḍa, vahni, sruk, ājya saṃskāra; bhāvanā)
FAQs
It teaches the homa protocol: first consecrate the altar-fire and implements (kunda, vahni, sruk, ghee, etc.) according to prior rules, then perform bhāvana (ritual visualization) and worship Śiva as present within the fire, treating the upward-facing ‘mouth’ of Agni as the primary offering-interface.
It exemplifies the Agni Purana’s manual-like coverage of practical ritual technology—detailing implements, consecration, visualization, and deity-installation within a sacrificial medium—alongside its broader catalog of disciplines (vidyās) across worship, governance, medicine, and arts.
By consecrating the rite and worshipping Śiva through Agni with focused visualization, the practitioner aligns offering, mind, and deity—seeking purification and merit (puṇya) through correctly performed fire-worship and inner concentration at the heart-center.