Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 73
Chapter 81 — समयदीक्षाविधानम्
Procedure for Samaya Initiation
रुद्रमातृगणादीनां निर्वर्त्यान्तर्बलिं हृदा शिवमध्ये ऽप्यलब्धाज्ञो विधायैकत्वभावनं
rudramātṛgaṇādīnāṃ nirvartyāntarbaliṃ hṛdā śivamadhye 'pyalabdhājño vidhāyaikatvabhāvanaṃ
Après avoir accompli comme il se doit, dans le cœur, l’oblation intérieure (antar-bali) pour Rudra, la troupe des Mères (Mātṛgaṇa) et les autres, même celui qui n’a pas obtenu l’autorisation rituelle complète doit, au sein de Śiva (dans la conscience de Śiva), cultiver la contemplation de l’unité (ekatva-bhāvanā).
Lord Agni (traditionally teaching the sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Philosophy","practical_application":"Internalize outer worship into antar-bali (inner offering) and stabilize non-dual ekatva-bhavana in Shiva-consciousness even when formal ritual entitlement is incomplete.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Antar-bali for Rudra–Matrgana and Ekatva-bhavana","lookup_keywords":["antar-bali","Rudra","Matrgana","ekatva-bhavana","Shiva-consciousness"],"quick_summary":"After mentally offering the inner oblation to Rudra and the Mothers’ host, the practitioner should rest in the oneness-contemplation within Śiva. The verse legitimizes an inner, non-dual completion even when external authorization is lacking."}
Concept: Antaryaga culminates in ekatva-bhavana—identity/oneness in Śiva beyond mere external ritual status.
Application: Use mental offering and non-dual recollection to complete worship when outer rites are constrained; treat the heart as the altar and Śiva as the locus of completion.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Shaiva–Shakta Tantra: Rudra–Matṛkā worship, inner offering, non-dual contemplation)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A yogin seated in meditation offers a subtle inner oblation in the heart-lotus to Rudra and the circle of Mothers, then dissolves the ritual into a luminous non-dual Śiva-awareness.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, deep mineral colors, central serene Śiva as pure light in the heart-lotus of a meditating sādhaka, surrounding Matṛkā-gaṇa as stylized divine mothers in a circular mandala, sacred flames rendered as inner radiance, minimal background, traditional ornamentation","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold leaf halo around Śiva within a heart-lotus motif, meditating practitioner in front, Matrikas arranged symmetrically, rich jewelry and embossed gold work, devotional yet contemplative composition","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, fine linework, soft palette, instructional depiction of inner offering: heart-lotus altar, subtle flame, Rudra and Matrikas as small icon-panels, emphasis on meditative posture and inward gaze","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, intimate interior scene of a yogin in quiet chamber, translucent depiction of heart-lotus with Śiva and Matrikas, delicate detailing, restrained palette, emphasis on psychological inwardness"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Ahir Bhairav","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: शिवमध्ये ऽपि = शिवमध्ये + अपि (ऽ); अलब्धाज्ञो = अलब्ध + आज्ञः; विधायैकत्वभावनं = विधाय + एकत्वभावनम्; अन्तर्बलिं = अन्तः + बलिम्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 81 (Puja-vidhi: antar-yaga, matrka/shaiva-shakta elements)
FAQs
It teaches antarbali—performing bali internally as a heart-offering for Rudra and the Mātṛkās—followed by ekatva-bhāvanā, a disciplined non-dual contemplation performed within Śiva-consciousness.
It bridges external ritual procedure (bali to specific deities like Rudra and the Mātṛkās) with inner yogic/tantric method (mental oblation and non-dual contemplation), showing how the Agni Purana systematizes both liturgy and contemplative sādhanā.
By shifting the offering into the heart and stabilizing oneness in Śiva, the practice emphasizes purification through intention and inner absorption, presenting an inward path that can be undertaken even when full external ritual authorization is not available.