Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 12
Chapter 303: Mantras for Worship Beginning with the Five-syllable (Pañcākṣara) — पञ्चाक्षरादिपूजामन्त्राः
स्नात्वाचम्य मृदा देहं मन्त्रैर् आलिप्य कल्प्यते शिवतीर्थे नरः स्नायादघमर्षणपूर्वकम्
snātvācamya mṛdā dehaṃ mantrair ālipya kalpyate śivatīrthe naraḥ snāyādaghamarṣaṇapūrvakam
स्नान करके और आचमन कर, मंत्रों का जप करते हुए शुद्धि-मृदा (मिट्टी) से शरीर का लेपन करके स्वयं को संस्कृत करे। शिव-तीर्थ में मनुष्य अघमर्षण-पूर्वक स्नान करे।
Lord Agni (instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purāṇa’s ritual sections)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vrata","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Purificatory protocol: snāna + ācamana + mṛd-lepana (smearing cleansing clay) with mantras; then bathing at a Śiva-tīrtha preceded by Aghamarṣaṇa for expiation and ritual fitness.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Śiva-tīrtha snāna with Aghamarṣaṇa and mṛd-lepana","lookup_keywords":["snāna","ācamana","mṛd-lepana","Aghamarṣaṇa","Śiva-tīrtha"],"quick_summary":"For purification, bathe and perform ācamana, apply cleansing earth with mantra-recitation, and at a Śiva-tīrtha bathe after Aghamarṣaṇa to dispel sin and restore ritual eligibility."}
Concept: External cleanliness (bahya-śauca) supports internal purification (pāpa-kṣaya) through mantra and rite.
Application: Before worship or vows, follow a consistent purification sequence; treat tīrtha-snāna as a disciplined act, not mere bathing.
Khanda Section: Tirtha-Snana & Prayashchitta (Purification rites and sacred bathing)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
Type: Tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A pilgrim at a Śiva-tīrtha: first applying cleansing clay while murmuring mantras, then performing ācamana, then entering sacred waters after Aghamarṣaṇa recitation; a Śiva shrine or liṅga nearby.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, river/pond ghāṭa with stylized waves, devotee smearing clay, priest reciting, small Śiva-liṅga shrine with lamps, serene dawn palette, sacred purity theme.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gilded Śiva shrine in background, devotee at ghāṭa with brass vessels, white sacred ash accents, gold highlights on lamps and temple ornaments, devotional bathing scene.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clear step-by-step depiction: ācamana with spoon, clay application, then immersion; fine lines, soft colors, instructional composition.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed ghāṭa architecture, pilgrims with water pots, a small Śiva temple, text panel hinting Aghamarṣaṇa, delicate landscape and reflections."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: स्नात्वाचम्य = स्नात्वा + आचम्य; मन्त्रैर् = मन्त्रैः; स्नायादघमर्षणपूर्वकम् = स्नायात् + अघ-मर्षण-पूर्वकम्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 303 (prayāścitta and snāna context)
FAQs
It teaches a precise purification sequence for sacred bathing: snāna → ācamana → mantra-recited cleansing with earth (mṛdā) → bathing at a Śiva-tīrtha, explicitly preceded by the Aghamarṣaṇa sin-dispelling recitation.
By recording practical, step-by-step tīrtha and śauca (purity) procedure—linking mantra, bodily purification media (clay/earth), and a named Vedic-style expiatory rite (Aghamarṣaṇa)—it exemplifies the Agni Purāṇa’s manual-like coverage of ritual disciplines alongside its many other subjects.
The verse frames tīrtha-bathing as effective purification only when preceded by Aghamarṣaṇa and done with proper śauca; the intended result is removal of agha (sin/impurity) and ritual fitness for worship at a Śiva sacred site.