Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 1
Teaching of the One-Principle
Ekatattva) Initiation (एकतत्त्वदीक्षाकथनम्
इत्य् आदिमहापुराणे आग्नेये निर्वाणदीक्षासमापनं नाम अष्टाशीतितमो ऽध्यायः अथोननवतितमो ऽध्यायः एकतत्त्वदीक्षाकथनं ईश्वर उवाच अथैकतात्त्विकी दीक्षा लघुत्वादुपदिश्यते सूत्रबन्धादि कुर्वीत यथायोगं निजात्मना
ity ādimahāpurāṇe āgneye nirvāṇadīkṣāsamāpanaṃ nāma aṣṭāśītitamo 'dhyāyaḥ athonanavatitamo 'dhyāyaḥ ekatattvadīkṣākathanaṃ īśvara uvāca athaikatāttvikī dīkṣā laghutvādupadiśyate sūtrabandhādi kurvīta yathāyogaṃ nijātmanā
Ainsi, dans l’Agni Purāṇa—le Mahāpurāṇa primordial—s’achève le quatre-vingt-huitième chapitre intitulé « Achèvement de l’initiation au Nirvāṇa ». Commence maintenant le quatre-vingt-neuvième chapitre : « Exposé de l’initiation au Principe unique (Ekatattva) ». Le Seigneur dit : « Ensuite, l’initiation “à un seul tattva” est enseignée, car elle est concise. Que l’on accomplisse, selon ce qui convient, la ligature du cordon rituel (sūtra-bandha) et les autres rites préliminaires, par soi-même (en personne). »
Īśvara (the Lord, as the teaching voice within the dīkṣā discourse)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Chapter transition and concise instruction for ekatattva-dīkṣā: perform sutra-bandha (ritual cord binding) and preliminaries personally and appropriately to the rite.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Ekatattva-Dīkṣā: Sutra-bandha and Preliminary Rites","lookup_keywords":["ekatattva dīkṣā","sūtra-bandha","pūrvāṅga","nija-ātmanā","tantra initiation"],"quick_summary":"The text introduces a concise initiation focused on a single principle and directs the officiant to complete cord-binding and other preliminaries in proper order, personally executing what is required."}
Concept: Ekatattva orientation: simplifying initiation by centering on one governing reality/principle while retaining necessary ritual preliminaries.
Application: Use a streamlined initiation when appropriate (laghutva), but do not omit foundational pūrvāṅgas like sutra-bandha; ensure the officiant’s direct responsibility and correctness of sequence.
Khanda Section: Tantra–Dīkṣā-vidhi (Initiation rites and ritual procedure)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A formal chapter-opening teaching scene: Īśvara instructs about the concise ekatattva initiation; the officiant prepares by binding the ritual cord and arranging preliminary items.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: seated divine teacher (Īśvara) addressing a sage/guru, foreground shows sutra-bandha with a sacred cord, ritual implements neatly arranged, warm mural palette and stylized figures.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: Īśvara enthroned with gold halo, below a small vignette of cord-binding (sutra-bandha) and pūrvāṅga items, ornate frame and gold work emphasizing the chapter’s authority.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: clear instructional depiction of sutra-bandha—hands tying the cord, placement of vessels and kuśa, calm teacher figure above, fine detailing and soft gradients.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: scholarly assembly with a divine figure or revered teacher dictating, scribe-like precision, a practitioner tying a cord, detailed textiles and objects."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: इत्य् = इति (यण्-सन्धि); अष्टाशीतितमोऽध्यायः = अष्टाशीतितमः + अध्यायः; अथोननवतितमो = अथ + (ऊह्य) न नवतितमः (पाठे ‘अथ + नवतितमः’ ग्रहणम्); लघुत्वादुपदिश्यते = लघुत्वात् + उपदिश्यते.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 88 (Nirvāṇa-dīkṣā completion); Agni Purana 89 (Ekatattva-dīkṣā section)
FAQs
It introduces the Ekatattva-dīkṣā (a concise initiation) and instructs performing preliminaries such as sūtra-bandha (ritual cord-binding) and related preparatory rites in the proper manner.
It shows the Agni Purāṇa cataloging specialized ritual-technical domains (dīkṣā procedures, preliminaries, and chapter-wise manuals), alongside its many other subjects—functioning like a compendium of applied religious sciences.
By prescribing correct preparatory rites for initiation, it emphasizes disciplined, rule-governed practice that purifies the practitioner and makes the dīkṣā effective for spiritual progress.