Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 16
Vidyā-viśodhana-vidhāna
Procedure for Purifying Mantra-Vidyā
निःशेषमलकर्मादिपाशबन्धनिवृत्तये निष्कृत्यैव विधानेन यजेत शतमाहुतीः
niḥśeṣamalakarmādipāśabandhanivṛttaye niṣkṛtyaiva vidhānena yajeta śatamāhutīḥ
Pour la cessation complète de l’asservissement sous forme de liens — tels les entraves des actes impurs et autres — on doit accomplir le rite expiatoire (niṣkṛti) selon la règle prescrite et offrir cent oblations (āhuti) dans le feu.
Lord Agni (in instruction to sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purana dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Prāyaścitta by homa: performing a prescribed expiation with a fixed count (100 āhutis) to remove pāśa-like bondage arising from impure actions.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Prāyaścitta-Homa: Hundred Oblations for Mala-karma Bondage","lookup_keywords":["prāyaścitta","homa","śatam āhutīḥ","mala-karma","pāśa-bandha"],"quick_summary":"To end bondage caused by impure deeds, perform the expiatory rite as prescribed and offer one hundred oblations into the fire."}
Concept: Karma-mala creates bondage (pāśa); prāyaścitta, when done per vidhi and with saṅkalpa, functions as a dhārmic means of purification and restoration.
Application: Use fixed-count homa as a structured corrective after ritual/ethical lapses; pair with restraint and renewed observances to prevent recurrence.
Khanda Section: Prāyaścitta & Homa-Vidhi (Ritual Expiation and Fire-Offerings)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: veera
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A homa-kunda blazing; the officiant offers ghee and samidhs in a counted sequence of one hundred āhutis, with a mala/marker for counting and a sense of ‘fetters’ dissolving in fire.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, square homa-kunda with stylized flames, priest in white, counting beads, dark chain-like motifs (pāśa) melting into the fire, temple setting with traditional lamps.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, bright fire altar with gold highlights, priest offering ladle of ghee, ornate border, symbolic broken chains rendered in gold near the flames, rich saturated colors.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clear instructional depiction of homa setup: kunda, ladle, ghee pot, samidh bundles, counting method for 100 āhutis shown in side panel, neat composition.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed courtyard yajña scene, attendants with offerings, precise flame rendering, subtle allegory of bonds as faint lines dissipating above the fire, intricate textiles."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: कर्मादि → कर्म-आदि; निवृत्तये is dative singular of निवृत्ति; निष्कृत्यैव → निष्कृत्य एव; शतमाहुतीः → शतम् आहुतीः.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 86 (prāyaścitta & homa-vidhi section)
FAQs
It prescribes a niṣkṛti (expiatory) homa performed strictly by vidhāna (ritual rule), specifying the count as one hundred āhutis (fire oblations) for purification.
By giving actionable prāyaścitta protocol—purpose (removal of pāśa-bandha), method (vidhāna), and measurable rite (śata-āhuti)—it exemplifies the text’s practical manual-like coverage of ritual law and expiation alongside many other disciplines.
The verse frames homa as a means to end bondage caused by impure karma, presenting expiation as a structured path to karmic cleansing and spiritual release from binding consequences.