Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 44
Chapter 83 — निर्वाणदीक्षाकथनम्
Description of the Nirvāṇa Initiation
अष्टग्रासप्रमाणं वा दशनस्पर्शवर्जितं पालाशपुटके मुक्तौ भुक्तौ पिप्पलपत्रके
aṣṭagrāsapramāṇaṃ vā daśanasparśavarjitaṃ pālāśapuṭake muktau bhuktau pippalapatrake
On doit prendre la nourriture à la mesure de huit bouchées, en évitant le contact des dents. L’ayant placée dans une enveloppe de feuilles de palāśa, on l’offre, puis on la mange sur une feuille de pippala (aśvattha).
Lord Agni (in discourse to Vasiṣṭha, as per the common Agni Purāṇa narration frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vrata","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Vratin’s regulated eating/offerings: mouthful-count discipline, avoiding tooth-contact, using palāśa packet for offering, and eating on a pippala leaf as a purity observance.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Vratin’s regulated meal: eight mouthfuls, tooth-avoidance, palāśa packet, pippala leaf","lookup_keywords":["aṣṭa-grāsa","danta-sparśa-varjita","palāśa-puṭaka","pippala-patra","vrata-bhojana"],"quick_summary":"During vrata-related rites, food is measured by mouthfuls, taken without tooth-contact, offered from a palāśa-leaf packet, and eaten upon a pippala leaf to maintain ritual purity and restraint."}
Concept: Austerity is enacted through measurable restraint and purity of medium (leaf-vessels), turning eating into a regulated rite.
Application: Adopt measured intake and simple serving media during vows; treat consumption as part of sādhana rather than indulgence.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Vrata–Dāna–Śrāddha ritual procedure)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A votary prepares a palāśa-leaf packet of food for offering, then eats a measured eight mouthfuls placed on a pippala leaf, carefully avoiding tooth-contact.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, ascetic votary seated on a mat, palāśa leaves folded into a packet, pippala leaf as a plate, minimalistic sacred setting, muted greens and reds","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold detailing on leaf edges and ritual tray, votary offering the palāśa packet before eating, pippala leaf plate prominent, temple lamp glow","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clear stepwise depiction: eight mouthful markers, tooth-avoidance gesture, palāśa packet and pippala leaf labeled, instructional composition","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, refined domestic-ritual scene in a courtyard, leaf packet and leaf plate rendered with botanical detail, votary taking small measured bites, attendants in background"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Shree","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: aṣṭagrāsapramāṇaṃ = aṣṭa-grāsa-pramāṇam; daśanasparśavarjitaṃ = daśana-sparśa-varjitam; pippalapatrake = pippala-patrake.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 83 (vrata-dāna-śrāddha procedural run)
FAQs
It prescribes a vrata-style method of taking food: a fixed quantity (eight morsels), a purity constraint (avoiding teeth-contact), and the sanctioned use of specific sacred leaves (palāśa wrapper and pippala leaf-plate) for offering and eating.
Beyond theology, it records practical ritual micro-procedures—dietary discipline, purity rules, and sanctioned materials—showing the Agni Purāṇa’s coverage of lived religious practice alongside broader subjects.
Measured eating and material purity (sacred leaves, restrained consumption) function as tapas-like discipline, supporting ritual cleanliness and merit (puṇya) through controlled, consecrated intake.