Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 29
Chapter 34 — होमादिविधिः
The Procedure for Homa and Related Rites
प्रणीताप्रोक्षणीपात्रे न्यसेत् प्रागग्रगं कुशम् अद्भिः पूर्यप्रणीतान्तु ध्यात्वा देवं प्रपूज्य च
praṇītāprokṣaṇīpātre nyaset prāgagragaṃ kuśam adbhiḥ pūryapraṇītāntu dhyātvā devaṃ prapūjya ca
प्रणीता और प्रोक्षणी पात्रों में पूर्वाभिमुख अग्रभाग वाला कुश रखे। फिर प्रणीता को जल से भरकर, देव का ध्यान करके विधिपूर्वक पूजन करे।
Lord Agni (instructional narration to Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vrata","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Directs how to prepare the praṇītā and prokṣaṇī: place east-pointing kuśa, fill praṇītā with water, then perform deity-dhyāna and pūjā before proceeding—linking physical purity with mental consecration.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Praṇītā–Prokṣaṇī saṃskāra: kuśa-prāgagra and jalapūraṇa with dhyāna-pūjā","lookup_keywords":["kuśa prāgagra","praṇītā jalapūraṇa","prokṣaṇī","dhyāna","pūjā"],"quick_summary":"Insert a kuśa blade with its tip to the east into the water vessels, fill the praṇītā with water, and only then proceed after meditating on and worshipping the deity."}
Concept: Outer ritual purification (water/kuśa) is completed by inner purification (dhyāna) and devotion (pūjā).
Application: Before any sacred act, align directionality and purity of tools, then stabilize mind through brief dhyāna and īśvara-smaraṇa.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Agni-vidhi / Homa and Abhisheka Procedures)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"The priest places a single kuśa blade into two water vessels with its tip facing east, pours water into the praṇītā, then sits briefly in meditation before the fire altar.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, priest inserting prāgagra kuśa into twin vessels, blue water rendered stylized, priest then shown in dhyāna posture facing east, agni-kuṇḍa glowing, ornate borders.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold highlights on vessels and halo-like aura during dhyāna, kuśa blade clearly visible, calm devotional atmosphere with rich reds and greens.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, step-by-step visual: kuśa placement, water filling, then seated meditation; delicate lines, soft pastel background, instructional clarity.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, intimate pavilion scene: priest carefully placing kuśa into water pots, then meditating; fine detailing of grass texture, reflective metal vessels, patterned carpet."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: प्रणीताप्रोक्षणीपात्रे = प्रणीता-पात्रे + प्रोक्षणी-पात्रे (द्वन्द्व, सप्तमी द्विवचन); पूर्य + प्रणीताम् + तु → पूर्यप्रणीतान्तु.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 34 (dhyāna and pūjā steps around homa)
FAQs
It gives a procedural rule for setting kuśa in the praṇītā/prokṣaṇī vessels (with the tip facing east), filling the praṇītā with water, and completing the step with deity-meditation and formal worship before sprinkling/purificatory use.
Alongside theology, the Agni Purāṇa preserves highly specific liturgical micro-instructions—orientation (east-pointing), named implements (praṇītā, prokṣaṇī), and sequence (placement → filling → dhyāna → pūjā)—showing its coverage of practical ritual technology, not only narratives.
Correct orientation and preparation of consecrated water and kuśa are treated as purification-enablers; performing the step with dhyāna and pūjā sacralizes the implements, supporting ritual purity (śuddhi) and the intended merit (puṇya) of the rite.