Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 31
Chapter 83 — निर्वाणदीक्षाकथनम्
Description of the Nirvāṇa Initiation
इत्यादाय कलासूत्रे योजयेच्छिष्यविग्रहात् सवीजायान्तु दीक्षायां समयाचारयागतः
ityādāya kalāsūtre yojayecchiṣyavigrahāt savījāyāntu dīkṣāyāṃ samayācārayāgataḥ
Ainsi, après avoir pris le signe ou l’instrument rituel requis, on doit l’appliquer sur le kalā-sūtra (cordon/ligne des divisions rituelles), en le traçant à partir de la forme corporelle du disciple. Mais, dans une initiation « avec bīja » (syllabes-semences mantriques), il faut agir selon le samaya et l’ācāra établis, c’est-à-dire les vœux et la conduite rituelle prescrits.
Lord Agni (instructor-narrator) speaking to the sage Vasiṣṭha (typical Agni Purana frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Diksha-vidhi: marking/placing the ritual ‘kalā-sūtra’ line derived from the disciple’s body and enforcing samaya-ācāra discipline specifically for bīja-yukta initiations.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Kalā-sūtra application and samaya-ācāra in bīja-dīkṣā","lookup_keywords":["kalā-sūtra","bīja-dīkṣā","samaya","ācāra","śiṣya-vigraha"],"quick_summary":"In initiation, the ritual cord/line of kalā-divisions is applied with reference to the disciple’s body-form. If the dīkṣā uses bīja-syllables, the officiant must strictly follow the prescribed samaya vows and ritual conduct."}
Concept: Mantra-bīja efficacy is inseparable from samaya (vowed restraint) and ācāra (orthopraxy).
Application: Treat initiation as a regulated discipline: maintain purity rules, secrecy, daily observances, and guru-instructions as part of mantra-empowerment.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Diksha-vidhi (Tantric initiation and ritual procedure)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A guru marks or aligns a ritual cord/line (kalā-sūtra) on or around the disciple’s body, indicating divisions of kalā, while attendants hold ritual implements; emphasis on disciplined samaya observance.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, guru and disciple in dīkṣā, sacred cord/kalā-sūtra drawn as luminous lines over the disciple’s body, minimal background, traditional pigments, serene faces, ritual implements (kuśa, kamaṇḍalu), sacred geometry motifs","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-leaf highlights on the kalā-sūtra and ritual marks, guru seated on a pedestal, disciple kneeling, ornate arch frame, rich reds and greens, embossed ornaments, emphasis on sanctity and vow-taking","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, fine linework showing the kalā divisions and cord placement, instructional composition with labeled segments implied, soft shading, calm indoor maṇḍapa setting, ritual tray with bīja-inscribed palm-leaf","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly atelier-like ritual chamber, detailed textiles, guru applying a thin cord/line across the disciple’s torso, attendants with incense and manuscript, delicate brushwork, subdued palette with precise geometry"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: yojayet + śiṣya- → yojayecchiṣya- (च्-आदेश); savījāyām + tu → savījāyāntu (आ + त् संधि); samayācārayāgataḥ treated as compound phrase samaya-ācāra + āgataḥ.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 83 (Dīkṣā/Pūjā-vidhi sequence)
FAQs
It instructs how to perform a step in dīkṣā (initiation): arranging/applying the kalā-sūtra based on the disciple’s body, and—when the initiation includes bīja-mantras—strictly following the samaya (vowed constraints) and ācāra (authorized ritual conduct).
Beyond mythology, it records procedural ritual technology—initiation mechanics, mantric classifications (savīja), and rule-systems (samaya/ācāra)—showing the text’s coverage of practical liturgy and tantric-style discipline alongside other sciences.
By adhering to samaya and ācāra in a savīja dīkṣā, the rite is protected from ritual faults (doṣa) and becomes spiritually efficacious—supporting purification, eligibility for mantra-practice, and the intended initiatory merit.