Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 49
Chapter 24 — कुण्डनिर्माणादिविधिः
Procedure for Constructing the Fire-pit and Related Rites
ततोण्डमब्दमेकं तु स्थित्वा द्विशकलीकृतम् समिद्भिर्वा तिलैस् तथा इति घ, चिह्नितपुस्तकपाठः सह लिङ्गेन दर्शितमिति ङ, चिह्नितपुस्तकपाठः संसारञ्चाक्षयं स्मरेदिति ख, चिह्नितपुस्तकपाठः स्थण्डिले पूर्वसंस्कृतमिति ख, चिह्नितपुस्तकपाठः द्यावापृथिव्यौ शकले तयोर्मध्ये प्रजापतिम्
tatoṇḍamabdamekaṃ tu sthitvā dviśakalīkṛtam samidbhirvā tilais tathā iti gha, cihnitapustakapāṭhaḥ saha liṅgena darśitamiti ṅa, cihnitapustakapāṭhaḥ saṃsārañcākṣayaṃ smarediti kha, cihnitapustakapāṭhaḥ sthaṇḍile pūrvasaṃskṛtamiti kha, cihnitapustakapāṭhaḥ dyāvāpṛthivyau śakale tayormadhye prajāpatim
Kemudian, setelah tinggal satu tahun di dalam telur kosmis, ia terbelah menjadi dua bagian. Dengan persembahan samidh atau wijen, renungkan kedua belahan itu sebagai Langit dan Bumi, dan di ruang di antaranya Prajāpati, Sang Penguasa makhluk.
Lord Agni (in the Agni Purana’s typical instruction to a sage interlocutor, often Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Cosmology","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Ritual-cosmological visualization during homa: contemplate dyāvā-pṛthivī as the two halves of the cosmic egg and Prajāpati in the mid-space while offering samidh/tila.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Brahmāṇḍa-bheda: Heaven–Earth halves and Prajāpati in the between-space","lookup_keywords":["brahmāṇḍa","dyāvā-pṛthivī","prajāpati","samidh","tila-homa"],"quick_summary":"The verse maps a cosmogonic image (egg split into two) onto ritual contemplation: the halves are Heaven and Earth, and Prajāpati is visualized in the interspace while making offerings."}
Concept: Bandhu (correspondence) between macrocosm (brahmāṇḍa split into dyauḥ and pṛthivī) and ritual action (homa offerings) through focused smṛti/dhyāna of Prajāpati in the madhya (antarikṣa).
Application: During offerings, stabilize attention on a three-tier cosmos: upper half (heaven), lower half (earth), and the generative lord in the middle—supporting ritual concentration and meaning.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Agni-hotra & Homa Prayoga (Ritual Procedure)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritual fire altar with offerings of samidh and sesame; above it a cosmic egg splitting into two luminous halves labeled as Heaven and Earth, with Prajāpati seated or emerging in the central space between them.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, homa scene with stylized fire altar, priests offering samidh/tila, above them a large golden brahmāṇḍa split into two, Prajāpati in the interspace with lotus and aura, bold outlines and traditional palette.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, ornate homa altar foreground, gold-leaf flames, cosmic egg rendered with embossed gold, two halves as celestial dome and earth disc, Prajāpati central with heavy jewelry and halo.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear didactic layout: altar at bottom, split-egg cosmology diagram above, Prajāpati centered, soft colors and fine linework, minimal clutter.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed yajña pavilion, attendants with offerings, above a symbolic split sphere in the sky, Prajāpati delicately painted in the mid-air space, intricate borders and naturalistic fire."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: tatoṇḍamabdamekaṃ → tataḥ + aṇḍam + abdam + ekam; samidbhirvā → samidbhiḥ + vā; saṃsārañcākṣayaṃ etc. and other marked manuscript variants in the input are treated as editorial notes and not analyzed as verse padas.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 24 (homa/pujā contemplations and sṛṣṭi-kalpa imagery)
FAQs
It prescribes a homa-oriented contemplation: offering with samidh (fuel-sticks) or tila (sesame) while visualizing the cosmic egg splitting into Heaven and Earth, with Prajāpati established between them.
It integrates cosmogony (creation symbolism of the aṇḍa and the dyāvā-pṛthivī division) directly into practical ritual method (homa materials and meditative placement of Prajāpati), showing how the text fuses theology, cosmology, and liturgy.
The act links the sacrificer’s offering and remembrance to the cosmic order—aligning the ritual with creation’s structure—thereby serving as a purification and a harmonizing contemplation supporting merit (puṇya) through correct ritual intent.