Agni Purana — Veda-vidhana & Vamsha, Shloka 16
Devapūjā, Vaiśvadeva Offering, and Bali (देवपूजावैश्वदेवबलिः)
स चतुर्थीकनाम्नेति पाठः साधुः अश्वपर्णीति ज मेघपर्णीति ज भद्रकाल्यै ततो दत्वा स्थूणायाञ्च तथा श्रिये हिरण्यकेश्यै च तथा वनस्पतय एव च
sa caturthīkanāmneti pāṭhaḥ sādhuḥ aśvaparṇīti ja meghaparṇīti ja bhadrakālyai tato datvā sthūṇāyāñca tathā śriye hiraṇyakeśyai ca tathā vanaspataya eva ca
‘स चतुर्थीकनाम्नेति’—यही शुद्ध पाठ है। ‘अश्वपर्णी को’ और ‘मेघपर्णी को’—ऐसा भी पाठ करे। फिर भद्रकाली को आहुति देकर, स्थूणा को, श्री को, हिरण्यकेशी को, और वनस्पतियों (वृक्ष-देवताओं) को भी अर्पण करे।
Lord Agni (narrating Agni Purana instructions to the sage Vasiṣṭha, in the standard dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Text-critical and procedural guidance for devatā-nāma homa: confirm the dative-case formula (caturthīka-nāma) and extend offerings to specific śaktis/deities (Aśvaparṇī, Meghaparṇī, Bhadrakālī, Sthūṇā, Śrī, Hiraṇyakeśī, Vanaspatis) in a consecration sequence.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Caturthīka-nāma reading and extended devatā-homa list (Aśvaparṇī to Vanaspatis)","lookup_keywords":["caturthīka-nāma","Aśvaparṇī","Meghaparṇī","Bhadrakālī","Vanaspati"],"quick_summary":"Affirms the correct recitational rule—use dative-form deity names—and supplies an expanded list of recipients for offerings, including protective and prosperity deities and vegetation powers."}
Concept: Mantra-śuddhi includes both correct pāṭha (reading) and correct vibhakti (case-ending); ritual success depends on linguistic exactness and complete devatā-santarpana (satiation).
Application: Verify pāṭha variants in one’s paddhati; recite ‘-āya/-yai’ dative endings while offering; include prosperity (Śrī) and ecological powers (Vanaspatis) to harmonize built space with environment.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Devata-nama-homa (Mantra-nyasa and deity-name offerings)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritual manual scene: the officiant corrects a manuscript reading (‘caturthīka-nāma’) and then performs successive oblations to named deities—Bhadrakālī, Sthūṇā, Śrī, Hiraṇyakeśī—and finally gestures toward surrounding trees as Vanaspatis.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, priest with palm-leaf manuscript showing corrected line, fire altar, Bhadrakālī’s protective aura in background, Śrī as lotus motif, trees personified as Vanaspatis, bold colors and temple aesthetic","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-leaf emphasis on Śrī’s lotus and the fire flames, Bhadrakālī as guardian presence, offerings lined in sequence, ornate inscriptions of Aśvaparṇī/Meghaparṇī, rich jewel tones","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional sequence panel: corrected pāṭha note, then stepwise homa recipients (Bhadrakālī, Sthūṇā, Śrī, Hiraṇyakeśī, Vanaspatis), clear labels and refined linework","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, scholar-priest annotating a manuscript beside a homa-kunda, attendants presenting offerings, garden trees depicted with fine botanical detail to represent Vanaspatis, delicate palette"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: चतुर्थीकनाम्नेति = चतुर्थीकनाम्ना + इति; स्थूणायाञ्च = स्थूणायाम् + च; (ज) पदं पाठभेद-चिह्नरूपेण गृहीतम्
Related Themes: Agni Purāṇa sections on pāṭha-bheda/śuddha-pāṭha in mantra contexts; Agni Purāṇa pratiṣṭhā/vāstu lists of subsidiary deities (upadevatā) and bali recipients
FAQs
It specifies a technical rule for mantra-recitation: deity-names are to be uttered in the dative (caturthī) when making offerings/oblations, and it lists the sequence of deities to whom offerings are directed.
It blends ritual procedure with grammatical precision (case-governance in mantras), illustrating how the Agni Purana functions as a practical manual that integrates liturgy, deity-lists, and linguistic rules.
Correct case-usage and proper sequencing in offerings are presented as essential for ritual efficacy—ensuring the intended deity-recipients are properly invoked and the offering yields purification and merit (puṇya).