Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 31
Adhyāya 88 — निर्वाणदीक्षाकथनं
Teaching of the Nirvāṇa-Initiation
पूरितं श्रुवमाज्येन विहिताधोमुखश्रुचा नित्योक्तविधिनाअदाय शङ्खसन्निभमुद्रया
pūritaṃ śruvamājyena vihitādhomukhaśrucā nityoktavidhināadāya śaṅkhasannibhamudrayā
Après avoir rempli la louche (śruva) de ghee, et, avec la cuillère (śruc) prescrite tournée vers le bas, l’ayant prise selon la règle énoncée pour le rite quotidien, on doit (l’offrir/le manier) avec la mudrā semblable à une conque (śaṅkha).
Lord Agni (teaching ritual procedure to Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s instructional frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Homa handling protocol: correct filling and lifting of śruva/śruc with ghee and performing the specified mudrā to ensure ritual correctness and mantra-siddhi.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Śruva–Śruc Handling with Ājya and Śaṅkha-mudrā (Daily Homa Step)","lookup_keywords":["śruva","śruc","ājya","homa","śaṅkha-mudrā"],"quick_summary":"Fill the ladle with ghee, use the prescribed downward-turned spoon, and perform the conch-like mudrā while lifting/handling it according to the nitya-vidhi."}
Concept: Ritual efficacy depends on correct implements, gestures, and prescribed sequence (vidhi) aligned with mantra and intention.
Application: In daily agnihotra/homa-style worship, maintain exact tool orientation (adhomukha śruc) and mudrā while offering ājya to avoid procedural faults (doṣa) in rite.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Agneya-vidhi) — Homa and ritual hand-implements
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritualist at a homa-kunda holding a ghee-filled śruva, using a downward-turned śruc, fingers arranged in a conch-like mudrā while preparing to pour into the fire.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, priest beside square homa-kunda with stylized flames, clearly drawn ladle and spoon, hand in śaṅkha-mudrā, ritual vessels arranged neatly, bold outlines.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, ornate homa altar with gold highlights on vessels, priest with halo, gleaming ghee in ladle, emphasized hand-gesture, rich temple setting.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional clarity: close-up of hands showing śaṅkha-mudrā, labeled śruva and adhomukha śruc, homa fire in background, fine lines.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly ritual scene with detailed utensils, shimmering fire, careful depiction of ladle/spoon orientation and precise hand gesture, delicate palette."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: śruvam+ājyena → śruvamājyena; nityoktavidhinā+ādāya → nityoktavidhinādāya (written as nityoktavidhināadāya); śaṅkhasannibhamudrayā = śaṅkha-sannibha-mudrayā.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 88 (Agneya-vidhi; homa upakaraṇa and mudrā steps)
FAQs
It gives a precise homa-handling instruction: fill the śruva with ājya (ghee), use the prescribed adho-mukha (downward-oriented) śruc, and perform the handling/offering with a specific mudrā described as “conch-like.”
Beyond theology, it preserves operational ritual technology—named implements (śruva/śruc), orientation rules (adho-mukha), nitya-rite protocol, and mudrā-usage—showing the text’s manual-like coverage of liturgy and ceremonial technique.
Correct performance of nitya-homa with proper implements and mudrā is taught as a means of maintaining ritual purity and ensuring the efficacy (siddhi) of offerings, supporting daily merit (puṇya) and orderly worship.