Agni Purana — Sahitya-shastra, Shloka 22
Chapter 347: One-syllable Appellations (एकाक्षराभिधानम्)
समोदको ऽथ गन्धादिगन्धोल्कायेति च क्रमात् गजो महागणपतिर्महोल्कः पूज्य एव च
samodako 'tha gandhādigandholkāyeti ca kramāt gajo mahāgaṇapatirmaholkaḥ pūjya eva ca
फिर क्रम से उन्हें “समोदक”, “गन्धादि-गन्धोल्का” तथा “गज”, “महागणपति” और “महोल्क” नामों से आवाहन कर पूजना चाहिए; निश्चय ही वे इन नामों से पूज्य हैं।
Lord Agni (in the Agni Purana’s instructional narration to Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Puja-vidhi (Mantra-tantra and Deva-upasana)","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Nāma-japa and upacāra-krama: invoking Gaṇeśa through specific epithets in sequence during worship offerings.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Gaṇeśa Nāma-krama for Pūjā (Samodaka etc.)","lookup_keywords":["Samodaka","Gandhādi-Gandholkāya","Gaja","Mahāgaṇapati","Maholka"],"quick_summary":"Provides a short ordered list of Gaṇeśa-names to be used sequentially as invocations during pūjā."}
Concept: Name-invocation (nāma) functions as a structured approach to presence (āvāhana) and reverence in ritual sequence.
Application: During offerings (gandha, puṣpa, dhūpa, dīpa, naivedya), recite these epithets in order to maintain ritual focus and completeness.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Ganesha-nama & upachara-krama in worship)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A pūjā scene where the priest offers fragrance and other upacāras while chanting successive Gaṇeśa names; a nāmāvalī palm-leaf/manuscript beside the altar.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, shrine with Gaṇeśa, priest offering gandha and flowers, visual rhythm showing five name-banners (Samodaka, Gandhādi-Gandholkāya, Gaja, Mahāgaṇapati, Maholka) in traditional script, warm lamp glow","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, Gaṇeśa richly ornamented with gold halo, priest presenting gandha tray, decorative cartouches containing the five epithets, temple pillars and deepam, saturated reds and greens","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clean instructional layout: altar with sequential offering items (gandha, puṣpa, dhūpa, dīpa, naivedya) and the five names written near each step, soft pastel palette","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly priest in detailed textiles performing pūjā, small calligraphic panels listing the epithets, incense curls, patterned floor, intimate indoor shrine"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: samodako 'tha = sa-modakaḥ atha; mahāgaṇapatirmaholkaḥ = mahā-gaṇapatiḥ mahā-ulkaḥ.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 347.21 (mūla-mantra and dhyāna); Agni Purana 347.23 (svāhā-mantras for homa)
FAQs
It gives the nāma-krama (ordered list of epithets) for invoking and worshipping Gaṇapati during pūjā—i.e., the practitioner recites specific names in sequence as part of formal worship.
Alongside topics like polity, medicine, and poetics, the Agni Purana also preserves practical ritual handbooks; this verse exemplifies its liturgical detail by documenting exact deity-epithets used in standardized worship.
Correct sequential invocation (nāma-japa within pūjā) is held to remove obstacles and secure auspiciousness through Gaṇapati’s grace, aligning the rite with order (krama) and devotional precision.