Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 85
Chapter 81 — समयदीक्षाविधानम्
Procedure for Samaya Initiation
निरुध्य शोधिते काये न्यासं कृत्वा तमर्चयेत् पूर्वाननस्य शिष्यस्य मूलमन्त्रेण मस्तके
nirudhya śodhite kāye nyāsaṃ kṛtvā tamarcayet pūrvānanasya śiṣyasya mūlamantreṇa mastake
Après avoir maîtrisé (les sens/le souffle) et purifié le corps, on doit accomplir le nyāsa puis l’adorer ; pour le disciple tourné vers l’est, le mantra racine (mūla-mantra) doit être posé/récité sur la tête.
Lord Agni (instructing Sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purana dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Initiatory worship protocol: bodily purification and restraint (prāṇa/indriya-nirodha), perform nyāsa, then apply/recite the mūla-mantra at the disciple’s head (śiras) while the disciple faces east.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Śodhana, nirodha, nyāsa, and śiras-mūla-mantra for east-facing disciple","lookup_keywords":["nyāsa","mūla-mantra","śiras","śodhana","pūrvābhimukha"],"quick_summary":"Purify and restrain the body-mind, perform nyāsa, then place the root-mantra on the disciple’s head with the disciple oriented east—standardizing mantra-installation in dīkṣā/pūjā."}
Concept: Mantra becomes effective when installed through disciplined preparation—purification, restraint, and nyāsa—linking bodily loci (especially the head) with sacred sound.
Application: Before mantra-japa or dīkṣā acts, adopt a brief regimen of cleansing and breath/sense restraint; maintain consistent ritual orientation and locus-specific nyāsa.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Mantra-nyasa and Guru–Shishya Diksha procedures)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A guru and disciple in a ritual space: the disciple sits facing east, body purified; the guru performs nyāsa gestures and touches/marks the disciple’s head while reciting the root-mantra.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, guru in saffron/white, disciple seated facing a rising sun motif (east), nyāsa hand-gestures emphasized, sacred vessels nearby, subdued devotional palette","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-accented guru bestowing mantra at disciple’s head, ornate ritual platform, east direction indicated by sun emblem, rich textiles and temple lamps","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clear instructional depiction: arrows showing east orientation, labeled śiras point, guru’s hand placement for mūla-mantra, neat arrangement of ritual items","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, intimate initiation scene in a pavilion, disciple facing east window with dawn light, guru touching crown of head, fine detailing of mats, vessels, and script scroll"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: tam + arcayet → tamarcayet; pūrva + ānanasya → pūrvānanasya; mūla + mantreṇa → mūlamantreṇa.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 81 (nyāsa and dīkṣā-related steps); Agni Purana mantra-vidhi sections (mūla-mantra usage)
FAQs
It teaches a precise worship sequence: bodily purification and restraint (niruddha), followed by mantra-nyāsa, and then applying the mūlamantra at the disciple’s head—especially specified for an east-facing disciple.
It preserves manual-like procedural details of pūjā and initiation practice (nyāsa, directional orientation, mantra application), showing the Agni Purana’s coverage beyond mythology into technical ritual instruction.
Purification and nyāsa sacralize the practitioner’s body as a vessel of mantra; placing the root-mantra on the head signifies consecration of consciousness and is treated as a key step for spiritual eligibility and merit in the rite.