Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 53
Chapter 81 — समयदीक्षाविधानम्
Procedure for Samaya Initiation
आहुत्यष्टशतैर् मूलमङ्गानि तु दशांशतः सन्तर्पयेत मूलेन दद्यात् पूर्णां यथा पुरा
āhutyaṣṭaśatair mūlamaṅgāni tu daśāṃśataḥ santarpayeta mūlena dadyāt pūrṇāṃ yathā purā
Après avoir offert huit cents oblations (āhuti), on doit ensuite apaiser et satisfaire (santarpayet) les membres subsidiaires du rite au moyen du dixième de cette quantité ; puis, avec le mantra racine (mūla-mantra) lui-même, on offrira l’oblation complète (pūrṇāhuti), comme on le faisait jadis selon la procédure établie.
Lord Agni (traditionally narrating Agni Purana’s ritual sections to the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Standardizes homa counts: main oblations (āhuti), subsidiary-limb propitiation (aṅga-santarpana) at one-tenth, and the concluding pūrṇāhuti with the mūla-mantra.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Homa-counts: 800 āhuti, daśāṃśa aṅga-santarpana, and pūrṇāhuti with mūla-mantra","lookup_keywords":["āhuti 800","daśāṃśa","aṅga-santarpana","mūla-mantra","pūrṇāhuti"],"quick_summary":"Offer 800 oblations, then satisfy the subsidiary limbs with one-tenth of that count; conclude with pūrṇāhuti using the root-mantra according to established rite."}
Concept: Ritual completeness (pūrṇatā) through correct counts and proper conclusion (pūrṇāhuti).
Application: Use fixed numerical discipline to avoid ritual deficiency (nyūnatā) and ensure closure of the rite.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Homa and ritual offerings)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A homa-kunda with steady flames; the officiant offers repeated āhutis, then performs a smaller set for subsidiary limbs, and finally a grand pūrṇāhuti with the mūla-mantra.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style: a Śaiva priest before a square homa-kunda, ladle and ghee, counting 800 offerings with rosary; final pūrṇāhuti shown as a larger flame surge; muted earth reds, greens, stylized fire tongues.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting: ritual homa scene with ornate vessels, gold-leaf highlights on the fire, ladle, and pūrṇāhuti offering; priest seated on kusa grass, mantra scroll beside; rich maroons and emeralds.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting: instructional homa layout—kunda, sthandila markings, offering bowls; visual annotation-like clarity showing 800 then daśāṃśa then pūrṇāhuti; delicate lines and soft shading.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: courtly ritual pavilion with homa-kunda, attendants preparing offerings; the main priest performing the concluding pūrṇāhuti; fine architectural borders and detailed utensils."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":null,"pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: आहुत्य + अष्टशतैः → आहुत्यष्टशतैः; मूल + अङ्गानि → मूलमङ्गानि; दशांश + तः → दशांशतः.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Puja-vidhi sections on homa, aṅga-nyāsa/aṅga-tarpana, and pūrṇāhuti (same khanda context)
FAQs
It specifies a homa-prayoga sequence: perform a fixed count of oblations (800) with the principal (mūla) mantra, then offer a tenth portion for the subsidiary ‘limbs’ (aṅgas) of the rite, and conclude with the completing full oblation (pūrṇāhuti) using the mūla mantra.
It preserves precise operational details—counts, proportional offerings, and the division between mūla-mantra and aṅga components—showing the Agni Purana’s function as a practical ritual handbook alongside its broader theological and cultural topics.
Following the prescribed counts and the pūrṇāhuti completion is held to perfect the rite, ensuring ritual wholeness (saṃpatti), proper propitiation of all components, and the intended merit (puṇya) and purification associated with correctly concluded homa.