Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 16
Adhyāya 88 — निर्वाणदीक्षाकथनं
Teaching of the Nirvāṇa-Initiation
गर्भाधानादिकं सर्वं पूर्वोक्तविधिना चरेत् मूलेन पाशशैथिल्ये निष्कृत्यैव शतं जपेत्
garbhādhānādikaṃ sarvaṃ pūrvoktavidhinā caret mūlena pāśaśaithilye niṣkṛtyaiva śataṃ japet
On accomplira tous les rites à commencer par le garbhādhāna (rite de la conception) selon la méthode exposée plus haut. Et, pour relâcher l’entrave (pāśa)—délivrance des liens karmiques—après avoir accompli l’acte expiatoire, on récitera cent fois le mantra racine (mūla-mantra).
Lord Agni (instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha, as per the usual Agni Purana dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vrata","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Lifecycle rite performance (garbhādhāna onward) and expiatory japa: 100 repetitions of the root-mantra to loosen karmic bondage (pāśa-śaithilya).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Garbhādhāna-ādi saṃskāra with mūla-mantra-śata-japa for pāśa-śaithilya","lookup_keywords":["garbhādhāna","saṃskāra","mūla-mantra","niṣkṛti","pāśa-śaithilya"],"quick_summary":"Perform the full series of saṃskāras beginning with conception per the earlier method; for release/loosening of bondage, do the prescribed expiation and repeat the root-mantra 100 times."}
Concept: Saṃskāra as dharmic ordering of life-stages; mantra-japa as a means of pāśa-śaithilya (karmic untying) after expiation.
Application: Maintain continuity of rites with corrective expiation; use fixed-count japa (śata) as a measurable discipline for purification and mental steadiness.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Samskara-prayoga (Ritual manuals for life-cycle rites and expiations)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritual manual-like depiction: a householder couple preparing garbhādhāna rites, then a sādhaka performing prāyaścitta and counting 100 japa on a mālā before a small fire altar.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, domestic shrine with lamp and small homa-kuṇḍa, couple seated respectfully, priest/sādhaka with mālā, stylized palm-leaf text indicating 'mūla-mantra śata-japa', warm ochres and greens.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, auspicious household saṃskāra scene with gold accents on ritual vessels, mālā beads highlighted, framed deity image above, emphasis on dharmic prosperity and purity.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, diagrammatic clarity: labeled steps 'garbhādhāna-ādi' and 'niṣkṛti + 100 japa', neat altar layout, calm faces, soft pastel palette.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, interior courtyard ritual with fine textiles, priest counting beads, small fire altar, attendants holding vessels, delicate architectural details and subdued tones."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: garbhādhānādikaṃ = garbhādhāna + ādikam; pūrvoktavidhinā = pūrvokta + vidhinā; niṣkṛtyaiva = niṣkṛtya + eva.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 88 (pūrvokta-vidhi for saṃskāras; mūla-mantra context)
FAQs
It prescribes (1) performing saṃskāras starting from garbhādhāna according to the earlier ritual protocol, and (2) an expiatory practice: after niṣkṛti, repeat the mūla-mantra 100 times to effect pāśa-śaithilya (loosening of karmic bondage).
It exemplifies the Agni Purana’s manual-like coverage of practical religion—codifying life-cycle rites (saṃskāras) alongside prāyaścitta and mantra-technology (japa counts and intended results), typical of its encyclopedic ritual and dharma sections.
The verse frames mantra-japa (100 recitations of the root-mantra) as a means of weakening binding karmic constraints (pāśa), especially after an atonement act, thereby supporting purification and spiritual release.