Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 37
Chapter 83 — निर्वाणदीक्षाकथनम्
Description of the Nirvāṇa Initiation
पुरुषं प्रति निःशेषव्यापारप्रतिपत्तये उपवेश्याथ तत् सूत्रं शिष्यस्कन्धे निवेशयेत्
puruṣaṃ prati niḥśeṣavyāpārapratipattaye upaveśyātha tat sūtraṃ śiṣyaskandhe niveśayet
Afin que la personne saisisse pleinement l’ensemble de la procédure dans tous ses détails, après l’avoir d’abord fait asseoir, on doit ensuite placer ce cordon sacré (sūtra) sur l’épaule du disciple.
Lord Agni (teaching to Sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s instructional dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Dīkṣā pedagogy and procedure: seating the initiate and placing the ritual cord/thread on the disciple’s shoulder to transmit and stabilize the full sequence of rites.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Dīkṣā Step: Seating the Disciple and Investing the Cord (Sūtra)","lookup_keywords":["dīkṣā","śiṣya","sūtra","skandha","upaveśya"],"quick_summary":"The verse prescribes a practical initiation step: seat the disciple and place the consecrated cord on the shoulder so the disciple comprehends and is integrated into the complete ritual workflow."}
Concept: Adhikāra through saṃskāra: ritual eligibility and comprehension arise from proper initiation and correct external markers (cord) aligned with inner understanding.
Application: In structured training (ritual, mantra, or any vidyā), ensure the student is properly seated, oriented, and invested with the required ritual token before teaching the full procedure.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Diksha-vidhi (Ritual initiation and practical procedure)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A guru seats the disciple and places a sacred cord across the disciple’s shoulder, indicating formal initiation and readiness to learn the complete rite.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, guru and disciple in a temple interior, disciple seated cross-legged, guru placing a cord on the shoulder, minimal objects, warm tones, serene faces, lotus border motifs.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style with gold work, central figures of guru investing the cord, ornate halo-like arch behind, rich textiles, ritual purity emphasized.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear instructional composition: disciple seated, cord placement shown precisely on shoulder, small caption-like space for ‘sūtra’, soft colors and fine outlines.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, intimate initiation scene in a pavilion, detailed textiles, guru gently placing cord, attendants and manuscripts in background, refined linework."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"calm-instructional","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: upaveśyātha = upaveśya + atha.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 83 (dīkṣā-vidhi and rakṣā-sūtra context)
FAQs
It gives a procedural rule of initiation/ritual training: seat the recipient first, then place the ritual cord (sūtra) on the disciple’s shoulder so the disciple can correctly apprehend and perform the complete set of actions.
Alongside theology, the Agni Purana preserves manual-style, stepwise ritual protocols (how to seat, how to invest with a cord), showing its compilation of practical liturgical and initiatory techniques in addition to narratives and doctrines.
Correct sequencing and proper investiture (placing the sūtra) are treated as prerequisites for purity, eligibility, and faultless performance; doing the rite in the prescribed way supports the intended merit (puṇya) and avoids ritual lapses (doṣa).