Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 38
Chapter 83 — निर्वाणदीक्षाकथनम्
Description of the Nirvāṇa Initiation
विस्तृताघप्रमोषाय शतं मूलेन होमयेत् शरावसम्पुटे पुंसः स्त्रियाश् च प्रणितोदरे
vistṛtāghapramoṣāya śataṃ mūlena homayet śarāvasampuṭe puṃsaḥ striyāś ca praṇitodare
Pour l’effacement des fautes largement répandues, on doit offrir cent oblations (homa) avec la racine (mūla) prescrite ; ce rite s’accomplit dans un récipient couvert (śarāva-sampuṭa), posé sur l’abdomen d’un homme ou d’une femme.
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vrata","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Prāyaścitta-homa for expiation: perform 100 oblations with a specified root (mūla) using a covered vessel placed on the abdomen of the subject (male or female) as a targeted purification rite.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Prāyaścitta Homa: Hundred Oblations with Root in Covered Vessel on Abdomen","lookup_keywords":["prāyaścitta","homa","śata-homa","mūla","śarāva-sampuṭa"],"quick_summary":"A remedial fire-offering is prescribed for extensive sin: 100 oblations using a designated root, performed with a covered dish-container positioned on the person’s abdomen to localize the rite’s purificatory effect."}
Concept: Prāyaścitta as karmic rectification through regulated ritual action (saṅkhyā—fixed count) and consecrated substances.
Application: When a tradition prescribes expiation, follow exact counts, materials, and placements; the ‘how’ (vidhi) is treated as essential to efficacy.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Prayashchitta & Homa-vidhi)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A fire-offering is performed with a covered dish-container (śarāva-sampuṭa) placed on the abdomen of a man or woman, while the priest completes a counted series of 100 oblations using a root substance.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, ritual fire at center, priest offering with ladle, subject reclining with a covered vessel on abdomen, attendants holding herbs/roots, stylized flames and sacred geometry border.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, bright altar scene with gold accents on vessels, covered dish on abdomen of the devotee, priest mid-offering, rich reds and gold, auspicious symmetry.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, didactic clarity: show the śarāva-sampuṭa placement on abdomen, the homa-kunda, ladle, and a bundle of roots; clean composition for procedural understanding.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, indoor ritual with detailed utensils, subject lying on a carpet, priest performing oblations, fine depiction of covered dish and herb bundle, delicate flames."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"penitential-ritual","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: vistṛtāgha- = vistṛta + āgha; striyāś ca = striyāḥ + ca; praṇitodare = praṇita + udare.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 83 (prāyaścitta and homa-vidhi subsections)
FAQs
It prescribes a specific prāyaścitta-homa: 100 oblations using a designated root (mūla), performed with a covered earthen vessel (śarāva-sampuṭa) positioned on the abdomen of the intended person.
It exemplifies the text’s practical ritual handbook dimension—detailing procedural minutiae (materials, count of oblations, apparatus placement) alongside broader theology, showing how the Purana functions as a compendium of applied religious techniques.
The rite is framed as an expiatory practice aimed at erasing extensive demerit (vistṛtāgha), using disciplined homa-count and prescribed substances as a means of karmic purification and restoration of ritual-spiritual purity.