Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 36
Pratiṣṭhā-sāmagrī-vidhāna — Prescription of Materials and Conditions for Consecration
स्नानायापाहरेत् पञ्च पञ्चगव्यामृतं तथा पिष्टनिर्मितवस्त्रादिद्रव्यं निर्मञ्जनाय च
snānāyāpāharet pañca pañcagavyāmṛtaṃ tathā piṣṭanirmitavastrādidravyaṃ nirmañjanāya ca
Pour le bain, on doit se procurer les cinq produits de la vache, à savoir le pañcagavya, ainsi que le mélange appelé pañcagavyāmṛta; et, pour la purification par friction/ablution (nirmañjana), des substances telles que du tissu et autres, préparées à partir d’une pâte ou farine (piṣṭa).
Lord Agni (teaching the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Ritual bathing requisites: pañcagavya/pañcagavyāmṛta procurement and cleansing agents for nirmañjana (rubbing/ablution).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Snāna-dravya: pañcagavya, pañcagavyāmṛta, piṣṭa-nirmita nirmañjana-dravya","lookup_keywords":["pañcagavya","pañcagavyāmṛta","snāna-vidhi","nirmañjana","piṣṭa-nirmita"],"quick_summary":"For purification-bathing, procure pañcagavya and pañcagavyāmṛta, and use paste/starch-prepared cleansing materials (cloth etc.) for rubbing and removal of impurities."}
Concept: Śauca as a prerequisite for worship—purity is operationalized through specified substances and steps.
Application: Standardize pre-puja bathing by preparing the required purifiers and cleansing implements in advance.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Snana-vidhi (Ritual Purification and Bathing Procedures)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A preparatory bathing scene: vessels containing pañcagavya and pañcagavyāmṛta are set beside paste-prepared cloth/rubbing materials for nirmañjana.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, bathing pavilion, brass pots labeled pañcagavya and pañcagavyāmṛta, attendant holding paste-coated cloth for nirmañjana, stylized water ripples and lotus motifs, temple setting","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, still-life puja-bath arrangement with gold-highlighted kalashas, white paste bowl, folded cloth, conch and lamp, rich ornamental frame","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style instructional tableau: stepwise layout—(1) pañcagavya pot (2) pañcagavyāmṛta pot (3) paste-prepared cloth for rubbing—fine lines and soft shading","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature hammam-like bathing chamber, servants presenting two ewers, a bowl of paste, folded cloths, intricate tile patterns and delicate realism"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":null,"pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: स्नानायापाहरेत् = स्नानाय + अपाहरेत्; पञ्चगव्यामृतं = पञ्च + गव्य + अमृतम्; पिष्टनिर्मितवस्त्रादिद्रव्यं = पिष्ट + निर्मित + वस्त्र + आदि + द्रव्यम्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 95 (snāna-vidhi and dravya-saṅgraha sequence)
FAQs
It specifies practical requisites for ritual bathing: procuring pañcagavya/pañcagavyāmṛta and using paste-prepared cleansing materials (e.g., starch/flour-based rubbing agents and cloth) for removing impurities.
Beyond theology, it preserves procedural details of daily/occasional purification rites—listing specific materials and their ritual function—showing the Agni Purana’s manual-like coverage of applied dharma and temple/household practice.
By prescribing sanctifying substances like pañcagavya and proper cleansing methods, it frames bathing as a karmically purifying act that prepares the practitioner for worship, mantra, and other sacred duties with bodily and ritual cleanliness.