Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 28
Chapter 34 — होमादिविधिः
The Procedure for Homa and Related Rites
प्रणीता प्रोक्षणीपात्रमाज्यस्थाली घृतादिकम् प्रस्थद्वयं तण्डुलानां युग्मं युग्ममधोमुखम्
praṇītā prokṣaṇīpātramājyasthālī ghṛtādikam prasthadvayaṃ taṇḍulānāṃ yugmaṃ yugmamadhomukham
प्रणीता-पात्र, प्रोक्षणी-पात्र, आज्यस्थाली तथा घृत आदि द्रव्य यथोचित रूप से रखे जाएँ। तण्डुल (चावल) का प्रमाण दो प्रस्थ हो; और पात्रों को जोड़े-जोड़े में, प्रत्येक जोड़ा मुख नीचे करके रखा जाए।
Lord Agni (instructing sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vrata","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Specifies key homa vessels (praṇītā, prokṣaṇī, ājya-sthālī), offerings (ghee), measurement for rice (two prasthas), and storage rule (paired vessels kept mouth-down) to maintain purity and readiness.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Praṇītā–Prokṣaṇī–Ājya-sthālī: vessels and measures (taṇḍula-prastha)","lookup_keywords":["praṇītā","prokṣaṇī","ājya-sthālī","prastha","taṇḍula"],"quick_summary":"Keep the principal water and ghee vessels ready; measure rice as two prasthas, and keep vessels in pairs placed mouth-down to preserve cleanliness and ritual order."}
Concept: Ritual correctness includes dravya-pramāṇa (right measure) and pātra-śuddhi (vessel purity/handling).
Application: Adopt fixed measures for offerings and keep vessels covered/mouth-down to avoid contamination before use.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Vedic fire ritual procedure / Agni-karya)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritual platform with three prominent vessels labeled by function—praṇītā and prokṣaṇī for water, ājya-sthālī for ghee—alongside a measured heap of rice (two prasthas); paired vessels are inverted mouth-down in orderly rows.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, stylized copper vessels in pairs placed mouth-down, priest arranging praṇītā and prokṣaṇī near the agni, ghee-pan gleaming, rice measure shown in a neat mound, decorative floral borders.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style with gold accents on vessels and ghee, symmetrical arrangement of paired inverted pots, priest holding a measure (prastha) near rice, luminous agni in background.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, didactic composition: vessels grouped and paired, mouth-down placement clearly shown, rice measured with a standard scoop, fine detailing of metalwork.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, close-up still-life of yajña implements: inverted paired vessels, ghee-pan, water pots, rice measured in a small tray, intricate patterns on cloth and floor."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shuddha Sarang","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: प्रोक्षणीपात्रम् + आज्यस्थाली → प्रोक्षणीपात्रमाज्यस्थाली; युग्मम् + अधोमुखम् → युग्ममधोमुखम्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 34 (homa-dravya and pātra-vidhi sequence)
FAQs
It specifies key homa/pujā implements (praṇītā, prokṣaṇī, ājya-sthālī), the standard quantity of rice for offering (two prasthas), and the correct storage/placement protocol (vessels kept paired and inverted mouth-down).
Beyond theology, it preserves practical ritual engineering—inventory of vessels, handling rules, and precise measures—showing the Agni Purana functions as a procedural handbook alongside its mythic and philosophical content.
Correct vessels, quantities, and purity-handling (sprinkling and keeping vessels inverted) support śuddhi (ritual cleanliness) and accuracy of offerings, which is traditionally held to safeguard the efficacy (phala) of the homa and prevent ritual faults (doṣa).