Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 12
Chapter 41 — शिलाविन्यासविधानं
The Procedure for Laying the Stones / Foundation Setting
प्रायश्चित्तं ततः पूर्णां मूर्तिमांसघृतांस्तिलान् वेदाद्यैर् द्वादशान्तेन कुम्भेषु च पृथक् पृथक्
prāyaścittaṃ tataḥ pūrṇāṃ mūrtimāṃsaghṛtāṃstilān vedādyair dvādaśāntena kumbheṣu ca pṛthak pṛthak
Sesudah itu, untuk prāyaścitta (penebusan), siapkan periuk-periuk (kumbha) terpisah, masing-masing diisi penuh: wujud pengganti (mūrti), daging, ghee, dan wijen. Laksanakan dengan resitasi Weda, dimulai dari bacaan Weda dan diakhiri dengan penutup dua belas-suku kata, dengan tiap bahan tetap terpisah dalam wadahnya.
Lord Agni (in dialogue with the sage Vasiṣṭha, as the usual frame of the Agni Purana)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Prāyaścitta setup: prepare distinct kumbhas (pots) with specified substitute/effigy and offerings (meat, ghee, sesame), accompanied by Vedic recitation with a defined beginning and a twelve-syllabled/formulaic conclusion, to rectify ritual faults and restore purity.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Prāyaścitta-kumbha: Separate Vessels for Offerings (Mūrti–Māṃsa–Ghṛta–Tila)","lookup_keywords":["prāyaścitta","kumbha","tila","ghṛta","māṃsa"],"quick_summary":"For expiation, arrange separate pots each fully filled with the prescribed items (including a substitute effigy), keeping substances distinct; perform the rite with Vedic recitation from the opening formula through a twelve-syllabled/ending formula as specified by the tradition."}
Concept: Prāyaścitta as dhārmic repair: when procedure is flawed or impurity arises, structured expiation restores adhikāra (fitness) and social-ritual order.
Application: When a homa/pujā is interrupted or performed with error, employ a standardized expiatory protocol with distinct vessels and mantra-bound recitation to ‘close’ the fault.
Khanda Section: Prāyaścitta & Śānti-karma (Expiations and Purificatory Rites)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritual expiation arrangement: multiple separate kumbhas in a row, each filled with a distinct offering (effigy/substitute, meat, ghee, sesame), while the officiant recites Vedic formulas concluding with a twelve-syllabled ending.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, orderly row of decorated pots with distinct contents symbolized by icons (sesame seeds, ghee drop, meat offering, small effigy), priest chanting with palm-leaf manuscript nearby, warm temple interior palette","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, expiation altar with four ornate kalashas, gold-leaf on pot bands and sacred thread motifs, central priest figure, emphasis on auspicious completion and purification symbolism","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional diagram-like painting: labeled kumbhas and their contents, clear separation lines, priest reciting with rosary, soft shading and precise detailing of vessels and offerings","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, meticulous still-life of ritual vessels on a carpeted platform, attendants presenting separate pots, scribe-like figure indicating Vedic recitation sequence, fine botanical borders"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: मूर्तिमांसघृतांस्तिलान् = मूर्ति + मांस + घृतान् + तिलान् (समाहार/सूची-समासाभाव, पदसन्धि); वेदाद्यैर् = वेदाद्यैः;
Related Themes: Agni Purana 41 (Prāyaścitta & Śānti-karma section); Agni Purana śuddhi/prāyaścitta prakaraṇas (general)
FAQs
It prescribes a prāyaścitta procedure: preparing separate kumbhas (pots) filled with specific expiatory offerings (effigy/substitute form, meat, ghee, sesame) and conducting the act with structured Vedic recitation.
It documents a concrete, implementable ritual protocol—materials, containers, and mantra-structure—showing how the Agni Purana functions as a compendium of dharma-practice alongside theology and other sciences.
By specifying correct substances, separation of offerings, and Vedic mantra-closure, it frames expiation as a regulated act that removes ritual impurity and mitigates karmic fault through properly performed śānti/prāyaścitta.