Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 52
Chapter 81 — समयदीक्षाविधानम्
Procedure for Samaya Initiation
मृत्युञ्जयो मृत्युजित् स्याद् वृद्धिः स्यात्तिलहोमतः रुद्रशान्तिः सर्वशान्त्यै अथ प्रस्तुतमुच्यते
mṛtyuñjayo mṛtyujit syād vṛddhiḥ syāttilahomataḥ rudraśāntiḥ sarvaśāntyai atha prastutamucyate
Par (le rite/mantra de) Mṛtyuñjaya, on devient vainqueur de la mort ; par le tila-homa, l’offrande de sésame au feu, naissent accroissement et prospérité. Le rite d’apaisement de Rudra (Rudra-śānti) vise l’obtention de toutes les pacifications ; à présent est énoncée la procédure en cours.
Lord Agni (in dialogue tradition, instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Applies Mṛtyuñjaya for longevity/protection, tila-homa for growth/prosperity, and frames Rudra-śānti as a comprehensive pacification rite before detailing procedure.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Mṛtyuñjaya, Tila-homa, and Rudra-śānti phala (results) and rite-introduction","lookup_keywords":["Mṛtyuñjaya","tila-homa","Rudra-śānti","sarva-śānti","mṛtyu-jaya"],"quick_summary":"Mṛtyuñjaya is stated to grant victory over death; sesame homa yields prosperity; Rudra-śānti is presented as a rite for universal pacification, introducing the forthcoming procedure."}
Concept: Śānti as applied theology: mantra and homa are instruments to mitigate adversity (mṛtyu-bhaya, arishta) and stabilize welfare (vṛddhi, sarva-śānti) through Rudra’s appeasement.
Application: Use Mṛtyuñjaya-japa/homa for protective rites, tila-homa for auspicious increase, and Rudra-śānti as a comprehensive remedial ritual during inauspicious periods.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Shanti-kalpa (Rudra-shanti and Homa rites)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: Tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A Śaiva homa with sesame offerings, the Mṛtyuñjaya focus present (liṅga or Rudra icon), and a priest announcing the all-pacifying Rudra-śānti procedure.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, Rudra/Śiva presence behind a homa-kuṇḍa, priest offering tila into flames, subtle depiction of Mṛtyuñjaya aspect (third eye, crescent moon), calm sacred ambiance, traditional palette and flat iconic forms","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting with gold leaf, Śiva-liṅga adorned, priest performing tila-homa, radiant haloed Rudra, ornate vessels of sesame, rich temple décor and gold embossing","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clear ritual sequence: Mṛtyuñjaya-japa beads, tila offerings into homa fire, Rudra-śānti banner/title panel, precise linework and soft colors for instructional clarity","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, temple courtyard with homa altar, priest offering sesame, devotees seated, Śiva-liṅga shrine in background, delicate architectural detail and patterned textiles"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: मृत्युञ्जयो→मृत्यु-जयः; स्याद्→स्यात्; स्यात्तिलहोमतः→स्यात् + तिल-होमतः; रुद्रशान्तिः→रुद्र-शान्तिः; सर्वशान्त्यै→सर्व-शान्त्यै; प्रस्तुतमुच्यते→प्रस्तुतम् + उच्यते.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 81 (śānti-kalpa continuation: Rudra-śānti procedure); Agni Purana mantra/homa procedural chapters elsewhere
FAQs
It specifies the applied results (phala) of three remedial rites: Mṛtyuñjaya-prayoga for overcoming mortality/danger, tila-homa for prosperity (vṛddhi), and Rudra-śānti as an all-purpose pacification rite, introducing the forthcoming procedure.
It exemplifies the Agni Purana’s practical compendium style by mapping specific ritual technologies (mantra-prayoga, homa materials, śānti rites) to concrete outcomes, functioning like a handbook of remedial religion alongside its many other domains (polity, medicine, poetics, etc.).
The verse frames śānti and homa as purificatory, merit-generating acts that remove obstacles (upadrava), mitigate fear of death, and stabilize well-being—linking devotional appeasement of Rudra/Śiva with protective and auspicious karmic results.