Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 52
अधिवासनं नाम निर्वाणदीक्षायाम्
Adhivāsana in the Nirvāṇa-dīkṣā
विसृज्य वर्तुलीकृत्य घृतपूर्णे स्रुवे धरेत् दहेदनुकलास्त्रेण केवलास्त्रेण भस्मसात्
visṛjya vartulīkṛtya ghṛtapūrṇe sruve dharet dahedanukalāstreṇa kevalāstreṇa bhasmasāt
Après l’avoir relâché, on doit former un mouvement/une figure circulaire, puis le placer dans une cuillère rituelle (sruva) remplie de ghee (ghṛta). Ensuite, on doit le brûler jusqu’à le réduire en cendres au moyen de l’Anukalā-astra, ou bien du Kevalā-astra.
Lord Agni (in instruction to the sage Vasiṣṭha, per the common Agni Purana discourse frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Astra-prayoga: circularized action/mandala-like movement, placement into ghee-filled ladle, then ‘burning to ashes’ via Anukalā-astra or Kevalā-astra—used for neutralization/destruction of targeted impurity/obstacle in ritual context.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Anukalā-astra / Kevalā-astra prayoga: vṛttulī-karaṇa, ghṛta-sruva, bhasmasāt-karaṇa","lookup_keywords":["anukalā-astra","kevalā-astra","vṛttulī-kṛtya","ghṛta-sruva","bhasmasāt"],"quick_summary":"After releasing and forming a circular operation, place the act/charge into a ghee-filled ladle and apply the Anukalā-astra (or Kevalā-astra) to reduce the target to ashes—i.e., complete neutralization."}
Weapon Type: Astra (Anukalā-astra, Kevalā-astra)
Concept: Ritual technology treats obstacles as ‘targets’ transformable by controlled fire + mantra-astra; circularization suggests containment and totalization before dissolution into ash.
Application: In protective rites, use a defined sequence and medium (ghṛta) to ‘seal’ and complete the destructive/clearing action without residue.
Khanda Section: Agneya-vidya / Mantra-Astra-Prayoga (Ritualized weapon-incantation procedures)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ghee-filled ladle is held over a blazing altar; a circular motion/mandala is traced in the air, then a luminous ‘astra’ descends, and the target is shown turning into fine ash (bhasma).","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, dynamic circular swirl above homa fire, bright white astra streak labeled Anukalā/Kevalā, ash drifting like grey lotus-pollen, strong outlines and flat color fields","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, gold-leaf flames and ladle rim, circular halo-like motion lines, radiant astra beam, ash rendered with silver-grey highlights, ornate borders","mysore_prompt":"Mysore, stepwise instructional composition: (1) release (2) circularize (3) place in ghṛta-sruva (4) burn to ash, clean linework and soft colors","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, refined depiction of ladle with ghee sheen, circular gesture captured with delicate motion arcs, subtle luminous astra effect, ash pile detailed with fine brushwork"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"commanding","suggested_raga":"Shankara","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: vartulīkṛtya = vartulī + kṛtya (ktvā); dahedanukalāstreṇa = dahet + anukalāstreṇa; kevalāstreṇa = kevala + astreṇa.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 84.50–84.51 (āyudha/astra and pāśa-ccheda context)
FAQs
It gives a procedural instruction for deploying a mantra-astra: form a circular action/mandala-like motion, employ a ghee-filled sacrificial ladle (sruva) as the ritual medium, and effect incineration using specific astras (Anukalā or Kevalā).
It exemplifies the text’s technical cataloging of applied knowledge—here, ritualized martial/occult technology (astra-prayoga) that blends sacrificial implements (sruva, ghṛta) with mantra-weapon doctrine, bridging ritual science and weapon-lore.
By framing destructive power within regulated rite and prescribed instruments, the verse implies that such force becomes dharmically contained—purificatory and controlled—rather than arbitrary violence, aligning action with sanctioned ritual order.