Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 79
Chapter 81 — समयदीक्षाविधानम्
Procedure for Samaya Initiation
भस्मस्नानाय विघ्नानां शान्तये पापभित्तये सृष्टिसंहारयोगेन ताडयेदस्त्रभस्मना
bhasmasnānāya vighnānāṃ śāntaye pāpabhittaye sṛṣṭisaṃhārayogena tāḍayedastrabhasmanā
Pour le rite du bain de cendre sacrée (bhasma)—afin d’apaiser les obstacles et de briser le péché—qu’il frappe ou applique rituellement la cendre consacrée par l’Astra, en recourant au procédé yogique de création et de résorption (sṛṣṭi–saṃhāra).
Lord Agni (in instruction to the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Bhasma-snāna as a Śaiva purification/expiation: applying astra-consecrated ash to pacify obstacles and destroy sin using a creation–dissolution visualization.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Astra-bhasma application for Bhasma-snāna (vighna-śānti, pāpa-bheda)","lookup_keywords":["bhasma-snāna","astra-bhasma","vighna-śānti","pāpa-bheda","sṛṣṭi-saṃhāra-yoga"],"quick_summary":"For ash-bath, ritually ‘strike/apply’ weapon-consecrated bhasma while employing sṛṣṭi–saṃhāra (emanation–reabsorption) yoga to neutralize obstacles and sin."}
Concept: Bhasma signifies impermanence and purification; sṛṣṭi–saṃhāra-bhāvanā turns bodily application into a yogic expiation.
Application: During bhasma-snāna, coordinate mantra + tactile application + visualization of arising impurities being dissolved back into Śiva-consciousness.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Tantra (Bhasma-snāna and Astra-prayoga for śānti)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A practitioner performs bhasma-snāna, applying ash in deliberate strokes as if ‘striking’ away obstacles, while a subtle cosmic visualization shows creation and dissolution around him.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, sādhaka near Śiva shrine, ash application with rhythmic hand gesture, swirling mandala-like sṛṣṭi-saṃhāra motifs behind, muted sacred palette, iconic symmetry.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, gold accents on Śiva symbols (triśūla, liṅga pedestal), sādhaka with ash marks, radiant circular aura depicting creation–dissolution, ornate frame.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style instructional plate: stepwise depiction of applying astra-bhasma to limbs, with small captions-like visual cues, clean lines, soft colors, ritual implements clearly shown.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, intimate interior of a shrine room, detailed ash bowl and gestures, faint cloud-like cosmological swirl indicating sṛṣṭi/saṃhāra, refined textiles and vessels."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"austere","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: भस्मस्नानाय = भस्म + स्नानाय; पापभित्तये = पाप + भित्तये; सृष्टिसंहारयोगेन = सृष्टि + संहार + योगेन; ताडयेद् + अस्त्रभस्मना → ताडयेदस्त्रभस्मना
Related Themes: Agni Purana 81 (bhasma, astra-prayoga, śānti-kriyā context)
FAQs
It teaches a bhasma-snāna (sacred ash bath) application using astra-bhasma—ash energized by a weapon-mantra—performed with a sṛṣṭi–saṃhāra (creation–dissolution) visualization to neutralize obstacles and destroy sin-effects.
Alongside mythology and dharma, the Agni Purana preserves applied ritual technology: mantra-consecration, protective/appeasement rites (śānti), and tantric visualization methods—showing how the text functions as a practical manual across disciplines.
The rite is framed as both protective and purificatory: it pacifies vighnas (hindrances) and ‘breaks’ pāpa (sinic residue), indicating karmic cleansing through mantra-powered ash and disciplined inner visualization.