Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 4
Chapter 83 — निर्वाणदीक्षाकथनम्
Description of the Nirvāṇa Initiation
प्रत्येकं दीपनं कुर्यात् सर्वस्मिन् क्रूरकर्मणि शान्तिके पौष्टिके चास्य वषडन्तादिनाणुना
pratyekaṃ dīpanaṃ kuryāt sarvasmin krūrakarmaṇi śāntike pauṣṭike cāsya vaṣaḍantādināṇunā
Dans toute opération farouche (de type abhicāra), et de même dans les rites d’apaisement (śāntika) et d’accroissement (pauṣṭika), on accomplira le dīpana séparément pour chacun, en employant la syllabe-mantra appropriée marquée par la terminaison « vaṣaṭ » et autres du même genre.
Lord Agni (in Agni Purana’s instructional dialogue, traditionally to Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Operational rule: perform dīpana distinctly for each targeted rite—fierce (krūra/abhicāra), pacificatory (śānti), and prosperity (pauṣṭika)—using the appropriate concluding syllables such as vaṣaṭ, etc., matched to the rite.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Dīpana per rite-type: krūra, śānti, pauṣṭika with vaṣaṭ-ādi endings","lookup_keywords":["krūra karma","śānti","pauṣṭika","dīpana","vaṣaṭ"],"quick_summary":"For each class of operation—fierce, pacificatory, or prosperity-promoting—enkindle the mantra separately and employ the rite-appropriate concluding syllables (vaṣaṭ and related markers) to align mantra-force with intent."}
Concept: Ritual technology is intention-sensitive: mantra activation and phonetic closures are selected according to karmic aim (krūra/śānti/pauṣṭika).
Application: When switching rite-goals, do not reuse a generic activation; re-perform dīpana and adjust vaṣaṭ-ādi endings to prevent mismatch of ritual ‘polarity’.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Mantra-kalpa / Homa and Shanti-Paushtika rites)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A triptych-like depiction: three ritual modes—krūra (dark, intense fire), śānti (calm offerings), pauṣṭika (abundant grains/flowers)—each with the priest performing separate dīpana and uttering vaṣaṭ-ādi endings.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, three panels with distinct color moods (deep reds for krūra, soft whites for śānti, lush greens/golds for pauṣṭika), priest at homa, decorative ‘vaṣaṭ’ cartouches.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, ornate triptych composition, gold flames and halos, symbols of prosperity (rice, lotus) in pauṣṭika panel, subdued palette for śānti, intense contrast for krūra.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, schematic instructional triptych with labels krūra/śānti/pauṣṭika, consistent altar geometry, clear depiction of different offerings and mantra-endings.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, three adjacent scenes in a manuscript folio, fine details of offerings and attendants, calligraphy notes indicating vaṣaṭ-ādi endings per rite."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: चास्य→ca asya; वषडन्तादिनाणुना→vaṣaḍ-anta-ādinā aṇunā
Related Themes: Agni Purāṇa 83 (classification of rites and mantra endings)
FAQs
It instructs that the ‘dīpana’ (enkindling/energizing step in the rite, typically connected with fire-offering procedure) should be done distinctly for each intended rite—fierce, pacificatory, or prosperity-promoting—using the correct mantra-ending/marker such as “vaṣaṭ” (and related endings) as the operative syllabic cue.
It exemplifies the Agni Purana’s manual-like coverage of applied ritual technology—mapping specific ritual goals (krūra, śānti, pauṣṭika) to precise mantra mechanics (vaṣaṭ-type endings)—showing how the text functions as a compendium of practical liturgical procedures alongside theology and narrative.
By matching the rite’s intention with the proper mantra-ending and performing the energizing step correctly, the practitioner is taught to align action (karma) with sanctioned ritual form (vidhi), aiming to secure the intended result while maintaining ritual purity and controlled karmic consequence.