Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 7
अध्याय 82 — संस्कारदीक्षाकथनम्
Saṃskāra-Dīkṣā: Consecratory Initiation
स्निग्धः प्रदक्षिणावर्तः सुगन्धिः शस्यते ऽनलः विपरीतस्फुलिङ्गी च भूमिस्पर्शः प्रशस्यते
snigdhaḥ pradakṣiṇāvartaḥ sugandhiḥ śasyate 'nalaḥ viparītasphuliṅgī ca bhūmisparśaḥ praśasyate
Le feu est tenu pour favorable lorsqu’il est luisant et stable (bien nourri), lorsque sa flamme s’enroule vers la droite, lorsqu’il est parfumé, lorsque ses étincelles partent en sens inverse (c’est-à-dire non vers l’officiant), et lorsqu’il touche le sol (brûlant bas et régulièrement).
Lord Agni (traditional Agni Purana narrator) instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Agni-nimitta reading: assessing auspiciousness of ritual fire by observable qualities (glossy steadiness, right-curling flame, fragrance, spark-direction, ground-touch) to decide whether to proceed or correct conditions.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Auspicious Fire Marks (Agni-lakṣaṇa) for Homa","lookup_keywords":["snigdha agni","pradakṣiṇāvarta","sugandhi anala","viparīta sphuliṅga","bhūmi-sparśa"],"quick_summary":"A homa-fire is praised when steady and glossy, right-turning, fragrant, with sparks moving away from the sacrificer, and burning low/ground-touching—these are practical omens of ritual fitness."}
Concept: Nimitta-jñāna: reading lawful correspondences between visible phenomena and unseen ritual efficacy.
Application: Use sensory checks (sight/smell/spark-direction) as a pre-flight checklist; if signs are adverse, adjust fuel, ghee, wind-shielding, and cleanliness.
Khanda Section: Agni-nimitta & Homa-lakshana (Ritual Omens and Fire Characteristics in Yajña)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Close study of a ritual fire: glossy steady flame curling right, fragrant smoke-free aura, sparks flying away from the sacrificer, flame licking low and touching the base of the fire-pit—annotated as auspicious marks.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, enlarged stylized flame with rightward curl, decorative spark patterns moving outward, priest observing, aromatic flowers/incense motifs indicating fragrance, bold outlines","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, gold-highlighted flame curl and sparks, ornate homa-kuṇḍa, priest with gesture of approval, rich textile borders, fragrance suggested via flower garlands and sandal motifs","mysore_prompt":"Mysore, instructional diagram-like painting: five labeled lakṣaṇas around the fire (snigdha, pradakṣiṇāvarta, sugandhi, viparīta-sphuliṅga, bhūmi-sparśa), clean composition","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, naturalistic flame behavior, tiny sparks rendered precisely, officiant seated to one side so sparks fly away, subtle aromatic elements (attar bottle/flowers) to imply fragrance"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: śasyate 'nalaḥ = śasyate analaḥ
Related Themes: Agni Purana 82.6 (fire condition for siddhi); Agni Purana 82.8 (prāyaścitta/shuddhi homa)
FAQs
It gives Agni-nimitta (ritual diagnostics): how to recognize an auspicious homa-fire by observable traits—steady glossy burning, right-curling flame, pleasant odor, safe-direction sparks, and a low, ground-touching steadiness.
It preserves practical, priestly field-knowledge—ritual quality control through omens—alongside the Purana’s broader coverage of rites, dharma, and applied sciences, showing the text’s manual-like scope.
Selecting an auspicious, well-behaved sacred fire is presented as supporting the correctness and fruitfulness of the rite, helping ensure purity of offering and favorable outcomes rather than ritual obstruction.