Agni Purana — Veda-vidhana & Vamsha, Shloka 29
Nīrājana-vidhiḥ
Procedure of Nīrājana / Auspicious Lamp-Waving and Royal Propitiation
उन्मूकानान्तु निचयमादीपितदिगन्तरं राजा प्रदक्षिणं कुर्यात्त्रीन् वारान् सुसमाहितः
unmūkānāntu nicayamādīpitadigantaraṃ rājā pradakṣiṇaṃ kuryāttrīn vārān susamāhitaḥ
Mais le roi—parfaitement recueilli—doit accomplir la pradakṣiṇā trois fois, en gardant à sa droite l’ensemble des (personnes ou objets) muets et sans parole, tandis que les directions sont illuminées jusqu’à leurs limites les plus lointaines.
Lord Agni (instructional narration to Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purana dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Śānti-karma procession: the king performs three circumambulations with focused mind, arranging a specified group (uṇmūka—mute/dumb persons/objects) to the right, while the quarters are lit—an apotropaic rite to avert inauspiciousness.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Trivāra Pradakṣiṇā with Dīpta-Dik and Uṇmūka-Nicaya (Śānti Rite)","lookup_keywords":["pradakshina","shanti-karma","unmuka","dipa","dik"],"quick_summary":"For pacification, the king circumambulates three times in composure, keeping the prescribed group to his right and illuminating all directions to dispel inauspicious influences."}
Concept: External order (directional lighting, right-side placement, circumambulation count) supports internal steadiness (susamāhita) for effective śānti.
Application: Use structured, repeatable ritual movement (three pradakṣiṇās) with attention and spatial symbolism to calm collective anxiety and mark a protected perimeter.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Shanti-karma (Ritual Procedures and Pacification Rites)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"At night or twilight, the king calmly circumambulates three times; lamps blaze in all directions, and a designated group stands to his right as part of a pacification rite.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: circular pradakṣiṇā path, king in composed stance, rows of oil lamps radiating to the four quarters, stylized attendants to the right, deep reds/ochres with temple-border patterns.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: luminous lamp flames with gold highlights, king mid-circumambulation, ornate ritual vessels, rich gold work emphasizing ‘illuminated directions’, symmetrical composition.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: clear sequential depiction of three circumambulations (suggested as three arcs), detailed lampstands, calm facial expressions, instructional clarity with delicate linework.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: evening courtyard with many lamps, king walking in a circular route, attendants grouped on the right, soft night sky wash, intricate architectural backdrop."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: उन्मूकानान्तु = उन्मूकानाम् तु; निचयमादीपितदिगन्तरं = निचयम् आदीपित-दिगन्तरम्; कुर्यात्त्रीन् = कुर्यात् त्रीन्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 267 (śānti and procession sequence)
FAQs
It prescribes a royal ritual act: performing three pradakṣiṇās (circumambulations) in a state of mental composure, with the surrounding directions ritually illuminated—an element typical of śānti/pūjā procedure.
Alongside theology, the Agni Purana preserves precise procedural details for public/royal rites—how a king should physically enact a ritual (number of rounds, mental posture, environmental arrangement like lighting the quarters), reflecting its manual-like coverage of applied dharma and ritual technology.
Pradakṣiṇā performed with concentration is treated as an act of reverence and purification; illuminating the quarters signifies auspiciousness and removal of inauspicious influences, supporting śānti (pacification) and merit for the performer.