Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 11
Rājābhiṣeka-kathana
Account of the Royal Consecration
अनुलोमः सुगन्धश् च स्वस्तिकाकारसन्निभः प्रसन्नार्चिर्महाज्वालः स्फुलिङ्गरहितो हितः
anulomaḥ sugandhaś ca svastikākārasannibhaḥ prasannārcirmahājvālaḥ sphuliṅgarahito hitaḥ
जिस यज्ञाग्नि की ज्वाला दाहिनी ओर चलती हो, सुगंधित हो, स्वस्तिक-आकृति के समान दिखे, प्रसन्न व निर्मल दीप्ति वाली हो, महान ज्वाला से प्रज्वलित हो, चिंगारियों से रहित हो और कर्म के लिए हितकारी हो—वही शुभ है।
Lord Agni (in the Agni Purana’s primary instruction to Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Homa-agni-pariksha: judging whether the ritual fire is auspicious before/while offering oblations, to ensure rite-siddhi and avoid inauspicious omens.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Auspicious Homa-Fire: Lakṣaṇa (Agni-parīkṣā)","lookup_keywords":["homa-agni","agni-lakshana","anuloma-archis","svastika-jvala","sphulinga-rahita"],"quick_summary":"A ritual fire is considered favorable when its flame trends rightward, is fragrant, svastika-like, bright and steady, large yet sparkless—signs used to proceed confidently with offerings."}
Concept: Śubha-nimitta: external signs (lakṣaṇa) as indicators of ritual fitness and alignment with ṛta.
Application: Use observable qualities of flame (direction, steadiness, sparklessness) as a go/no-go criterion and as feedback to correct fuel, ghee, wind-shelter, and altar setup.
Khanda Section: Agneya-vidya (Lakshana of Auspicious Ritual Fire / Homa-agni-pariksha)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A homa-kunda with a bright, rightward-leaning, svastika-like flame—large, clear, fragrant smoke, and notably without sparks—priests poised to offer ghee.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style: homa-kunda in a sanctified pavilion, priest in white mundu, rightward curling flame forming a subtle svastika pattern, warm ochres and reds, minimal sparks, serene ritual atmosphere.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting: central homa-kunda with embossed gold highlights on the flame and altar edges, priest offering ghee with ladle, flame shown as auspicious rightward swirl, rich reds and greens, ornate border.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting: instructional depiction of auspicious fire signs—labels for anuloma, svastika-form, sparkless flame; clean lines, soft shading, ritual implements neatly arranged.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: courtly yajña scene with detailed textiles and vessels, controlled large flame bending right, no sparks, delicate incense-like fragrance suggested by thin smoke, fine brushwork and architectural pavilion."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सुगन्धश् च = सुगन्धः + च; प्रसन्नार्चिर्महाज्वालः = प्रसन्न + अर्चिः + महा + ज्वालः (समास/सन्धि); स्फुलिङ्गरहितो = स्फुलिङ्गरहितः (ओ/ः विसर्ग-सन्धि).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 218 (Agneya-vidya: homa/śānti-lakṣaṇa context)
FAQs
It lists diagnostic marks of an auspicious homa-fire—rightward flame movement, pleasant fragrance, svastika-like appearance, steady bright blaze, and absence of sparks—indicating the rite is proceeding favorably.
By codifying practical ritual diagnostics (observable fire-omens) for yajña and pūjā, it functions like a technical manual within the Purana’s wide-ranging coverage of applied religious sciences.
Recognizing and cultivating an auspicious ritual fire is taught as a means to ensure purity, remove obstacles, and secure the intended merit (puṇya) and efficacy of offerings.