Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 27
Chapter 21 — सामान्यपूजाकथनम्
Teaching on General Worship
होमात्तिलघृताद्यैश् च धर्मकामार्थमोक्षदाः पूजामन्त्रान् पठेद्यस्तु भुक्तभोगो दिवं व्रजेत्
homāttilaghṛtādyaiś ca dharmakāmārthamokṣadāḥ pūjāmantrān paṭhedyastu bhuktabhogo divaṃ vrajet
तिल, घी आदि से होम करके धर्म, काम, अर्थ और मोक्ष देने वाले पूजामन्त्रों का पाठ करना चाहिए; जो उनका पाठ करता है, वह (धर्मसम्मत) भोग भोगकर स्वर्ग को जाता है।
Lord Agni (narrating to sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purāṇa’s instructional dialogue style)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vrata","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Guides homa-linked recitation of pūjā-mantras with specific offerings (tila, ghṛta) to seek the four puruṣārthas; used in household and temple worship sequences.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Homa with Tila-Ghṛta and Recitation of Pūjā-Mantras for Puruṣārthas","lookup_keywords":["homa","tila","ghṛta","pūjā-mantra","dharma-kāma-artha-mokṣa"],"quick_summary":"Perform oblations using sesame, ghee, etc., while reciting worship-mantras regarded as granting the four aims of life; the rite is framed as leading to heavenly attainment after righteous enjoyment."}
Concept: Ritual action (homa + mantra) as a dharmic means to harmonize puruṣārthas and secure post-mortem ascent.
Application: Integrate mantra-recitation with homa offerings (tila/ghṛta) in pūjā to align desires and prosperity with dharma, oriented ultimately toward mokṣa.
Khanda Section: Pūjā-vidhi (Ritual Worship Procedures / Agneya-vidyā)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: shraddha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A homa-kuṇḍa blazing; the officiant offers tila and ghṛta with a ladle while reciting pūjā-mantras; four symbolic emblems (dharma, kāma, artha, mokṣa) appear as subtle motifs around the fire.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, homa scene with square fire-pit, priest offering sesame and ghee, stylized flames, ritual vessels, subdued divine symbols of the four aims in the background, earthy palette","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, bright homa fire with gold highlights, priest and assistants, ornate vessels, gold-leaf accents on flames and ladle, symbolic icons for puruṣārthas in corners","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear procedural depiction: ladle, ghee pot, sesame bowl, mantra-recitation posture, neat composition emphasizing ritual steps","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed yajña setting in a courtyard, fine rendering of utensils and fire, calligraphic mantra scroll near the priest, delicate shading"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: homāt tilaghṛtādyaiḥ = homāt + tila-ghṛta-ādyaiḥ; paṭhedyastu = paṭhet + yaḥ + tu (euphonic combination); bhuktabhogo = bhukta-bhogaḥ (visarga lost in sandhi).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 21 (Pūjā-vidhi: mantra-japa and worship sequences); Agni Purana sections on homa/ācāra (elsewhere in the Purāṇa’s ritual compendium)
FAQs
It prescribes a ritual method: performing homa with specific standard oblations (sesame, ghee, etc.) together with the recitation of pūjā-mantras, emphasizing that mantra-recitation is to be paired with proper offering-materials.
It exemplifies the Agni Purāṇa’s manual-like coverage of practical religion—linking materials (tila, ghṛta), rite (homa), liturgy (pūjā-mantra), and stated results—typical of its broad, instructional compilation across disciplines.
The verse frames pūjā-mantras as granting the four puruṣārthas; ritually supported recitation yields merit leading to svarga, while also situating worship within the broader aim of mokṣa.