Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 28
Chapter 93 — वास्तुपूजादिविधानम्
Procedure for Vāstu-worship and Related Rites
अस्थीनि पापराक्षस्यै रक्तपित्तपलानि च ततो माषौदनं प्राच्यां स्कन्दाय विनिवेदयेत्
asthīni pāparākṣasyai raktapittapalāni ca tato māṣaudanaṃ prācyāṃ skandāya vinivedayet
On doit offrir des os, ainsi que des morceaux de chair mêlés de sang et de bile, à la rākṣasī pécheresse; puis, dans la direction de l’est, on doit présenter à Skanda, en offrande, le māṣa-odana (riz cuit avec du haricot noir/urad).
Lord Agni (in dialogue with Vasiṣṭha, Agni Purana’s standard narration frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Puja-vidhi","secondary_vidya":"Ayurveda","practical_application":"Bali/naivedya allocation to specific beings: offering impure/liminal substances to a rākṣasī (to avert harm) and then a directional (east) food offering (māṣa-odana) to Skanda for protection and auspiciousness.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Bali to pāpa-rākṣasī and eastern māṣa-odana offering to Skanda","lookup_keywords":["bali","pāpa-rākṣasī","asthi","rakta-pitta","skanda","māṣa-odana"],"quick_summary":"Offer bones and blood-bile mixed flesh portions to the rākṣasī; then in the eastern direction offer black-gram rice (māṣa-odana) to Skanda."}
Dosha: Pitta
Concept: Channeling impurity to liminal recipients and reaffirming auspicious order through a protective deity—ritual ecology of purity/impurity.
Application: In protective rites, segregate offerings by recipient and direction; keep impure bali contained and disposed per local ritual law, while auspicious naivedya is offered in sanctified zones.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Bali/Naivedya offerings and deity propitiation)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Type: Direction
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Two-stage offering: at a liminal spot, bones and blood-bile mixed flesh portions are placed for a rākṣasī; then facing east, a clean bowl of māṣa-odana is offered to Skanda at an eastern station with lamps.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, split scene: dark outer edge with rākṣasī bali (bones, red-brown offerings) kept outside; bright eastern shrine with Skanda symbol, priest offering māṣa-odana, strong contrast of liminal vs auspicious.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, Skanda in the east with gold halo and ornaments, offering bowl of māṣa-odana highlighted with gold work; rākṣasī bali shown discretely at border area, ornate frame.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear directional diagram: east marked, Skanda altar on prācī side, separate containment area for rākṣasī bali, sequential arrows indicating order of offerings.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtyard with east-facing altar, detailed food bowl of black-gram rice, attendants with lamps; peripheral shadowed corner shows the apotropaic bali placement, refined architectural details."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: pāparākṣasyai → pāpa-rākṣasyai; māṣaudanaṃ → māṣa-odanam.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 93 (bali/naivedya sequencing; Skanda propitiation in directional worship context)
FAQs
It prescribes a specific bali/naivedya sequence: an appeasement offering to a rākṣasī (using impure/terrifying substances), followed by an eastern-direction offering of māṣa-odana to Skanda.
It exemplifies the Purana’s practical ritual manual aspect—detailing deity-specific offerings, directional rules, and protective/appeasement rites alongside its broader teachings.
The sequence reflects ritual pacification and protection: unsettling forces are propitiated with suitable bali, while Skanda—associated with protection and victory—is honored properly to secure auspiciousness and ward off harm.