Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 69
Chapter 81 — समयदीक्षाविधानम्
Procedure for Samaya Initiation
सम्पातञ्च स्रुचा हुत्वा शुद्धिं संहितया चरेत् चरुकं सकृदालभ्य तयैव वषडन्तया
sampātañca srucā hutvā śuddhiṃ saṃhitayā caret carukaṃ sakṛdālabhya tayaiva vaṣaḍantayā
Après avoir offert l’oblation finale (sampāta) avec la louche rituelle (sruc), on accomplit le rite de purification au moyen du saṃhitā-mantra prescrit. Puis, après avoir touché une seule fois l’offrande de caru, on fait l’oblation avec ce même mantra, se terminant par l’exclamation « vaṣaṭ ».
Lord Agni (traditionally narrating ritual procedure to the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Agnihotra/homa prayoga: perform sampāta (concluding oblation), mantra-based śuddhi, then caru-handling and offering with a vaṣaṭ-ending mantra.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Sampāta, mantra-śuddhi, and caru-homa with vaṣaṭ","lookup_keywords":["sampāta","sruc","śuddhi","caru","vaṣaṭ"],"quick_summary":"Complete the homa with a sampāta oblation using the ladle, perform purification with the Saṃhitā-mantra, then offer the caru with the same mantra ending in ‘vaṣaṭ’."}
Concept: Śuddhi and samāpti: ritual efficacy depends on correct sequencing—concluding oblation, purification, then properly voiced offering-call (vaṣaṭ).
Application: In homa, keep the order of acts fixed; treat vaṣaṭ as the formal ‘delivery’ of the offering to the deity.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Agnihotra-Homa Prayoga (Vedic fire-ritual procedures)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A homa sequence: the priest offers a final sampāta with the sruc, performs mantra-purification, touches the caru once, and offers it into the fire with a vaṣaṭ call.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, close-up of sruc pouring ghee into bright flames, priest chanting, caru bowl nearby, visual cue of ‘vaṣaṭ’ as stylized script near fire, earthy reds and blacks","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, gold-highlighted flames and ladle, priest in profile, caru vessel ornamented, inscription-like ‘vaṣaṭ’ motif, rich maroons and greens","mysore_prompt":"Mysore, step-by-step instructional panel: (1) sampāta with sruc, (2) śuddhi mantra gesture, (3) caru touch, (4) vaṣaṭ oblation; clean lines and labels","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed utensils and textiles, priest offering with ladle, assistant holding caru, calligraphic ‘vaṣaṭ’ in margin, delicate fire rendering"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":null,"pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: sampātam+ca → sampātañca; sakṛt+ālabhya → sakṛdālabhya; tayā+eva → tayaiva.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 81 (Agnihotra-homa prayoga; śuddhi and pūrṇāhuti context)
FAQs
It gives a precise homa-protocol: offer the concluding sampāta with the sruc, perform śuddhi using the prescribed saṃhitā-mantra, then ritually take up (touch) the caru once and offer it with that same mantra ending in the vaṣaṭ-call.
Beyond theology, it preserves a practical ritual-technology—step-by-step fire-sacrifice mechanics (implements, mantras, and offering sequence)—showing the Agni Purana functioning as a handbook of applied religious procedure.
By pairing the concluding oblation with śuddhi and a correctly voiced vaṣaṭ-offering, the rite is made ritually complete and purifying, safeguarding the efficacy (phala) of the sacrifice and the performer’s ceremonial purity.