Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 46
Pratiṣṭhā-sāmagrī-vidhāna — Prescription of Materials and Conditions for Consecration
विकिरार्थन्तथा लाजान् ज्ञानखड्गञ्च पूर्ववत् सापिधानां चरुस्थालीं दर्वीं च ताम्रनिर्मितां
vikirārthantathā lājān jñānakhaḍgañca pūrvavat sāpidhānāṃ carusthālīṃ darvīṃ ca tāmranirmitāṃ
De même, pour l’acte de disperser (les offrandes), qu’on prenne le lāja, riz grillé; et, comme il a été dit auparavant, «l’épée de la connaissance»; ainsi qu’un récipient de cuisson du caru muni d’un couvercle et une louche, tous deux en cuivre.
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vrata","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Collecting specific homa/pūjā implements: laja for vikiraṇa, symbolic jñāna-khaḍga, and copper cooking/serving vessels for caru preparation and offering.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Vikiraṇa-dravya and caru-upakaraṇa: lāja, jñāna-khaḍga, copper sthālī and darvī","lookup_keywords":["laja","vikirana","jnana-khadga","caru-sthali","tamra-darvi"],"quick_summary":"For scattering offerings use parched rice; include the previously mentioned ‘sword of knowledge’; and procure a lidded caru-cooking pot and ladle made of copper for ritual cooking and offering."}
Alamkara Type: Rupaka
Concept: Jñāna as an inner instrument (antaḥkaraṇa-śuddhi) mirrored by outer ritual instruments; symbolism integrated into karma.
Application: Use ritual objects not only functionally (cooking/offering) but contemplatively—treat ‘jñāna-khaḍga’ as a reminder to sever ignorance during worship.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Homa-dravya & Upakarana-vidhi / ritual materials and implements)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritual workspace: a tray of parched rice for scattering, a symbolic sword labeled ‘jñāna’, and a copper caru pot with lid beside a copper ladle, arranged neatly near the altar.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, priest seated near homa-kuṇḍa, copper vessels gleaming in flat color blocks, parched rice in a leaf-bowl, a stylized sword representing jñāna placed reverently, warm lamp-lit ambience","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, heavy gold work on copper pot and ladle, ornate tray of lāja, symbolic sword with jeweled hilt, ritual altar with decorative borders and embossed patterns","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clean instructional depiction of each implement: lāja bowl, jñāna-khaḍga, tamra sthālī with lid, tamra darvī; fine lines and soft shading for clarity","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, attendants presenting copper cookware and a sword to the officiant, detailed textiles and utensils, naturalistic metallic reflections, intimate indoor ritual scene"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shree","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: vikirārtham = vikira + artham; jñānakhaḍgañca = jñānakhaḍgam + ca (ṃ + c → ñc).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 95 (earlier mention of jñāna-khaḍga: pūjā-upacāra context)
FAQs
It specifies homa-upakaraṇas (fire-ritual implements): parched rice (lāja) for scattering offerings, a symbolic jñāna-khaḍga, and copper utensils—caru-cooking vessel with lid and a darvī (ladle).
By cataloging precise ritual materials and metal-specific utensils, it functions like a practical manual for yajña/homa procedure—one of the many technical domains (vidhis, tools, materials) covered across the Purana.
Using prescribed, pure implements and correct offerings is taught as ensuring ritual efficacy (yajña-siddhi) and generating merit through orderly, rule-based worship aligned with śāstric injunction.