Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 80
Chapter 81 — समयदीक्षाविधानम्
Procedure for Samaya Initiation
पुनरस्त्राम्बुना प्रोक्ष्य सकलीकरणाय तं स्थण्डिलोपान्तिकं नयेदिति ङ, चिह्नितपुस्तकपाठः तेनैवाचमनीयमिति क, ख, ग, चिह्नितपुस्तकत्रयपाठः पाशभित्तये इति ग, चिह्नितपुस्तकपाठः नाभेरूर्ध्वं कुशाग्रेण मार्जनीयास्त्रमुच्चरन्
punarastrāmbunā prokṣya sakalīkaraṇāya taṃ sthaṇḍilopāntikaṃ nayediti ṅa, cihnitapustakapāṭhaḥ tenaivācamanīyamiti ka, kha, ga, cihnitapustakatrayapāṭhaḥ pāśabhittaye iti ga, cihnitapustakapāṭhaḥ nābherūrdhvaṃ kuśāgreṇa mārjanīyāstramuccaran
Ensuite, l’ayant de nouveau aspergé avec l’« eau-astra » consacrée, qu’il le conduise près du bord du terrain rituel (sthaṇḍila) en vue du sakalīkaraṇa (complétude). Avec cette même eau, qu’il accomplisse l’ācamana (gorgée purificatrice). En récitant le mārjanīya-astra, qu’il essuie le corps au-dessus du nombril avec la pointe de l’herbe kuśa.
Lord Agni (in instruction to Sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Detailed purification sequence: repeated prokṣaṇa with astra-water, ācamana with the same, positioning at the sthaṇḍila edge for sakalīkaraṇa, and kuśa-wiping above the navel while reciting mārjanīya-astra.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Prokṣaṇa–Ācamana–Mārjana with Astra-udaka (Sakalīkaraṇa)","lookup_keywords":["prokṣaṇa","ācamana","mārjanīya-astra","kuśāgra","sthaṇḍila","sakalīkaraṇa"],"quick_summary":"Repeat sprinkling with astra-water, perform ācamana with it, move to the ritual ground’s edge for completion (sakalīkaraṇa), and wipe above the navel using kuśa-tip while reciting the cleansing astra-mantra."}
Concept: Purification is layered—sprinkling, sipping, spatial repositioning, and tactile mārjana—so body and ritual-space become ‘complete’ (sakalī-kṛta) for mantra-work.
Application: Use one consecrated medium (astra-udaka) consistently across prokṣaṇa and ācamana; coordinate mantra recitation with precise bodily zones (above navel) and tools (kuśa-tip).
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Ritual Purification and Mantra Procedures)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritual officiant sprinkles astra-water, offers ācamana, guides the practitioner to the sthaṇḍila edge, then wipes above the navel with a kuśa tip while chanting the mārjanīya-astra.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, clear depiction of sthaṇḍila with geometric lines, priest holding kuśa and kalaśa, sprinkling and wiping gestures, restrained palette, iconic ritual symmetry.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, gold detailing on ritual vessels and sthaṇḍila border, priest and initiate near altar, visible kuśa grass, stylized droplets, ornate temple setting.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore instructional composition: labeled implements (kalaśa, kuśa), step-by-step panels for prokṣaṇa, ācamana, movement to sthaṇḍila edge, then mārjana above navel; fine linework and clarity.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed ritual courtyard with drawn sthaṇḍila, attendant holding water vessel, priest wiping with kuśa, delicate calligraphic sense of mantra recitation, naturalistic shading."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"focused","suggested_raga":"Shuddha Saveri","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पुनरस्त्राम्बुना = पुनः + अस्त्र + अम्बुना; स्थण्डिलोपान्तिकम् = स्थण्डिल + उपान्तिकम्; नाभेरूर्ध्वं = नाभेः + ऊर्ध्वम्; कुशाग्रेण = कुश + अग्रेण; मार्जनीयास्त्रमुच्चरन् = मार्जनीय + अस्त्रम् + उच्चरन्. मध्यभागे पाठान्तर-सूचनाः (ङ/क/ख/ग इत्यादि) सम्पादकीयाः, श्लोक-पदानां न गणिताः।
Related Themes: Agni Purana 81 (prokṣaṇa/ācamana/mārjana sequence)
FAQs
It teaches a precise purification sequence: re-sprinkling with astra-empowered water, moving the practitioner to the ritual ground’s edge for completion (sakalīkaraṇa), performing ācamana with the same water, and wiping above the navel using kuśa while reciting the mārjanīya-astra.
It preserves procedural minutiae of pūjā and śuddhi—how to use mantra-charged water, where to position the practitioner (sthaṇḍila-upānta), and how to apply kuśa for mārjana—showing the text’s practical ritual-technology alongside its broader theological and instructional scope.
The actions (prokṣaṇa, ācamana, and mārjana with mantra) are meant to remove ritual impurity and stabilize the rite’s efficacy, ensuring the performer becomes fit (adhikārī) for the remaining worship and gains merit through correct observance.