Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 39
Pratiṣṭhā-sāmagrī-vidhāna — Prescription of Materials and Conditions for Consecration
रक्षायै तिलदर्भौघो भस्मस्नानन्तु केवलं यवगोधूमविल्वानां चूर्णानि च विचक्षणः
rakṣāyai tiladarbhaugho bhasmasnānantu kevalaṃ yavagodhūmavilvānāṃ cūrṇāni ca vicakṣaṇaḥ
Pour la protection, on doit employer un amas de sésame et d’herbe darbha; et le bain avec la cendre seule est également prescrit. L’homme avisé doit en outre utiliser les poudres d’orge, de blé et de bilva.
Lord Agni (in instruction to sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purana dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Ayurveda","practical_application":"Protective rite (rakṣā-kalpa) using sesame and darbha, ash-bath, and grain/bilva powders for purification and warding off harm.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Rakṣā-kalpa: tila-darbha, bhasma-snāna, yava-godhūma-bilva-cūrṇa","lookup_keywords":["rakṣā-kalpa","tila","darbha","bhasma-snāna","bilva-cūrṇa"],"quick_summary":"For protection, employ sesame with darbha, perform an ash-only bath, and apply/use powders of barley, wheat, and bilva as purificatory-protective substances."}
Concept: Protection is pursued through disciplined purificatory acts and apotropaic substances (rakṣā-dravya).
Application: Before vulnerable transitions (travel, vows, worship), perform prescribed cleansing and carry/apply rakṣā substances per tradition.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Raksha-kalpa (Protective rites and ritual remedies)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A protective purification: sesame and darbha arranged as a protective bundle, a person performing bhasma-snāna, and bowls of barley, wheat, and bilva powders prepared for use.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, ascetic/priest applying bhasma, darbha and sesame bundle on a ritual tray, bowls of grain and bilva powders, temple courtyard with bold outlines and rhythmic patterns","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, devotional protective scene with gold-highlighted bhasma markings, ornate tray holding tila-darbha, shining bowls of powders, rich textile backdrop and gold frame","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style instructional depiction: three-step rakṣā—(1) tila+darbha bundle (2) bhasma-snāna (3) application of yava/godhūma/bilva powders—clear sequencing and fine detail","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, intimate domestic courtyard purification, figure bathing with ash, attendants holding darbha-sesame bundle and powder bowls, delicate architectural and textile detail"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तिलदर्भौघो = तिल + दर्भ + ओघः (sandhi: a + o → au); भस्मस्नानन्तु = भस्मस्नानम् + तु; यवगोधूमविल्वानां = यव + गोधूम + विल्वानाम् (compound).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 95 (rakṣā-kalpa context)
FAQs
It prescribes simple apotropaic measures: using sesame and darbha as protective materials, performing ash-bath (bhasma-snāna) for purification, and applying/using powders of barley, wheat, and bilva as practical protective adjuncts.
Alongside theology, the text records actionable ritual-technology—specific materials (tila, darbha, bhasma) and plant/grain preparations (yava, godhūma, bilva) used for protection and cleansing—showing the Purana’s coverage of applied religious practice and household-level remedies.
These acts function as purification and warding-off rites: ash-bathing signifies removal of impurity, while darbha and bilva are traditionally sanctifying substances—together aiming to reduce harmful influences and support ritual cleanliness, which is treated as merit-bearing in dharmic practice.