Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 66
Chapter 81 — समयदीक्षाविधानम्
Procedure for Samaya Initiation
स्वाहान्तैः संहितामन्त्रैर् दत्वा तप्ताभिघारणं संस्थाप्य मण्डले स्थालीं सद्दर्भे ऽस्त्राणुना कृते
svāhāntaiḥ saṃhitāmantrair datvā taptābhighāraṇaṃ saṃsthāpya maṇḍale sthālīṃ saddarbhe 'strāṇunā kṛte
Après avoir accompli l’abhighāraṇa (aspersion chaude) avec les mantras de la Saṃhitā se terminant par « svāhā », on met le rite en ordre : dans le maṇḍala, établir la sthālī (pot d’offrande) sur du darbha pur, après avoir exécuté le rite de l’astra (mantra-arme protecteur) en forme subtile (anu).
Lord Agni (narrating to sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Executing abhighāraṇa (hot aspersion) with svāhā-ending saṃhitā mantras, then establishing the sthālī in a maṇḍala on darbha after an astra-protection rite.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Abhighāraṇa, maṇḍala-sthāpana, and astra-rakṣā in homa setup","lookup_keywords":["abhighāraṇa","svāhā","saṃhitā-mantra","maṇḍala","astra-anu"],"quick_summary":"Perform the hot sprinkling with svāhā-terminated saṃhitā mantras, then arrange the rite by placing the offering-pot in the maṇḍala on pure darbha, preceded by an astra-based protective act."}
Weapon Type: Astra (mantric ‘weapon’ for protection)
Concept: Saṃskāra (consecratory conditioning) and rakṣā (protective boundary) before main offering.
Application: Before any central operation, purify (abhighāraṇa), define the working field (maṇḍala), and secure it (astra-rakṣā) to stabilize outcomes.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Agni-karya / Homa-prayoga)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A maṇḍala is drawn; the priest performs hot aspersion while chanting svāhā mantras, then places a sthālī pot on darbha after an astra-protection gesture.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, geometric maṇḍala on floor, priest sprinkling consecrated liquid over fire implements, darbha mat with pot centered, stylized astra aura lines, flat sacred composition.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, ornate maṇḍala with gold accents, priest holding sprinkling spoon, pot on darbha highlighted with gold leaf, radiant protective astra motif encircling the setup.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, diagrammatic clarity: maṇḍala grid, darbha placement, sthālī pot, sequence arrows; priest shown performing abhighāraṇa and astra rite in two-step vignette.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, finely detailed floor maṇḍala, realistic darbha texture, priest mid-sprinkle, attendants holding vessels, subtle luminous ring indicating astra protection."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shree","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: स्वाहान्तैः = स्वाहा + अन्तैः; संहितामन्त्रैर् = संहिता-मन्त्रैः (final visarga/र् sandhi); तप्ताभिघारणम् = तप्त + अभिघारणम्; सद्दर्भे = सत् + दर्भे; 'स्त्राणुना = अस्त्र-अणुना
Related Themes: Agni Purana 81 (maṇḍala, abhighāraṇa, astra-rakṣā sequence)
FAQs
It gives a precise homa-prayoga sequence: perform abhighāraṇa using svāhā-ending Saṃhitā mantras, then set the sthālī inside the maṇḍala on purified darbha, after completing the astra-mantra protection.
Beyond theology, it preserves operational ritual engineering—mantra-classification (Saṃhitā-mantras), spatial setup (maṇḍala), implements (sthālī, darbha), and protective procedures (astra-rite)—showing the Purāṇa as a manual of applied sacred practice.
The hot abhighāraṇa and astra-protection function as purification and safeguarding steps, ensuring the offering space and vessels are ritually fit so the oblations yield intended merit (puṇya) without obstruction or impurity.