Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 45
अधिवासनं नाम निर्वाणदीक्षायाम्
Adhivāsana in the Nirvāṇa-dīkṣā
सीमन्तोन्नयनं वापि दैवान्यङ्गानि देहवत् शिरसा जन्म कुर्वीत जुगुप्सन् सर्वदेहिनां
sīmantonnayanaṃ vāpi daivānyaṅgāni dehavat śirasā janma kurvīta jugupsan sarvadehināṃ
On doit accomplir aussi le rite de sīmantonnayana, ainsi que les autres rites divins, comme s’ils étaient pourvus d’un corps. Avec révérence, il doit « produire une naissance » (c’est-à-dire établir le rite), en évitant tout acte qui lèse ou déshonore tous les êtres incarnés.
Lord Agni (in discourse to sage Vashistha, typical Agni Purana narration frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Instruction to perform sīmantonnayana and other saṃskāras with reverence, grounding ritual action in non-harm toward all embodied beings.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Sīmantonnayana and Allied Saṃskāras Performed with Reverence and Ahiṃsā","lookup_keywords":["sīmantonnayana","saṃskāra","daiva-aṅga","śirasā","sarvadehin"],"quick_summary":"Perform sīmantonnayana and related rites as sacred ‘divine limbs,’ establishing them with reverence while avoiding any act that dishonors or harms embodied beings."}
Concept: Saṃskāra is not mere formality; it is to be ‘installed’ with śraddhā and governed by ahiṃsā toward all beings.
Application: When conducting domestic rites, ensure purity and dignity of conduct (speech, offerings, treatment of animals/people), making non-harm an explicit constraint on ritual logistics.
Khanda Section: Samskara-vidhi (Garbhadhana to Antyeshti: domestic rites and life-cycle rituals)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A household rite scene: pregnant woman seated, priest performs sīmantonnayana (parting of hair) with sanctified implements; the household maintains gentle, non-harming conduct toward all beings.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, domestic ritual pavilion, priest with ritual tray, pregnant woman with stylized ornaments, attendants holding lamps, calm animals unharmed at the periphery symbolizing ahiṃsā, bold flat colors","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, richly adorned couple and priest, gold-work on jewelry and ritual vessels, sīmantonnayana gesture highlighted, symmetrical altar with lamps and kalasha, auspicious motifs","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clear depiction of the hair-parting rite, labeled implements (kunkuma, darbha, lamp), gentle expressions, instructional composition emphasizing reverence","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, refined interior courtyard, detailed textiles and vessels, priest performing sīmantonnayana, family members observing respectfully, marginal vignette of feeding animals to indicate non-harm"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सीमन्तोन्नयनं = सीमन्त-उन्नयनम्; वापि = वा + अपि; दैवान्यङ्गानि = दैव-अन्य-अङ्गानि
Related Themes: Agni Purana 84 (saṃskāra-vidhi sequence)
FAQs
It instructs the performance of the sīmantonnayana prenatal samskara and emphasizes treating all sacred rites as living, embodied presences—performed with bowing reverence and careful avoidance of impurity or harm.
By prescribing a specific household samskara (pregnancy rite) and framing ritual etiquette (reverence, purity, and non-harming), it shows the Agni Purana’s practical coverage of domestic dharma alongside broader theological and technical subjects.
Performing samskaras with reverence and non-harming intent is presented as purifying conduct that supports auspicious progeny, ritual efficacy, and reduced negative karma through respect for all embodied beings.