Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 52
Pratiṣṭhā-sāmagrī-vidhāna — Prescription of Materials and Conditions for Consecration
समिधो ऽर्कपलाशोत्थाः खादिरामार्गपिप्पलाः उदुम्वरशमीदूर्वाकुशोत्थाः शतमष्ट च
samidho 'rkapalāśotthāḥ khādirāmārgapippalāḥ udumvaraśamīdūrvākuśotthāḥ śatamaṣṭa ca
Les bûchettes rituelles (samidh) proviennent de l’arka et du palāśa; du khādira, de l’apāmārga et du pippala; et de l’udumbara, du śamī, du dūrvā et du kuśa—au nombre, là encore, de cent huit (108).
Lord Agni (in discourse to the sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purāṇa narration framework)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Specifies acceptable woods/plants for samidh and the canonical count (108) for homa, enabling correct procurement and ritual counting.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Samidh-vidhi: Arka–Palāśa–Khādira–Apāmārga–Pippala–Udumbara–Śamī–Dūrvā–Kuśa; 108 count","lookup_keywords":["samidh","arka","palāśa","khādira","108"],"quick_summary":"Lists the prescribed fuel-stick sources and indicates the standard ritual number (108) for offerings/fuel in homa contexts."}
Concept: Ritual efficacy is supported by dravya-niyama (right substances) and saṅkhyā-niyama (right number, 108).
Application: Collect samidh from the stated species when possible; count offerings to 108 to maintain vrata-like discipline and focus.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Agnihotra & Homa-dravya (Fire-ritual materials and procedures)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Bundles of different samidh sticks labeled by plant source, arranged beside a homa fire; a count-string or pile indicating 108 sticks.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, stylized botanical bundles (arka, palāśa, khādira, apāmārga, pippala, udumbara, śamī, dūrvā, kuśa) around a glowing homa-kuṇḍa, earthy greens and reds, ritual calm","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-highlighted fire altar, ornate vessels, neatly stacked 108 samidh sticks with distinct textures, devotional symmetry","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, diagrammatic instructional plate: nine samidh types with fine linework, each bundle distinct, a clear ‘108’ count shown as arranged sticks, clean background","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, naturalistic rendering of wood bundles and grass, scribe-like labels, homa scene in a garden pavilion, meticulous detail"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: समिधो ऽर्क- → समिधः + अर्क- (विसर्ग + अ → ऽ); पलाशोत्थाः → पलाश + उत्थाः (ओ-गुण sandhi). शतमष्ट → शतम् + अष्ट (म् + अ → म).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 95 (homa-dravya and samidh lists)
FAQs
It specifies accepted botanical sources for samidh (fuel-sticks) used in homa/agnihotra and indicates the ritual count of 108, guiding correct preparation of fire-offering materials.
By cataloging precise ritual materia (specific trees and sacred grasses) and standardized counts (108), it functions like a practical manual—integrating botany, ritual procedure, and liturgical norms within a Purāṇic compendium.
Using prescribed samidh and the auspicious count of 108 is treated as a correctness condition for homa, supporting purification (śuddhi) and merit (puṇya) through properly executed offerings to Agni.