Agni Purana — Veda-vidhana & Vamsha, Shloka 22
Nīrājana-vidhiḥ
Procedure of Nīrājana / Auspicious Lamp-Waving and Royal Propitiation
अश्वाः स्नाप्या ददेत् पिण्डान् ततो हि प्रथमं गजान् निष्क्रामयेत्तोरणैस्तु गोपुरादि न लङ्घयेत्
aśvāḥ snāpyā dadet piṇḍān tato hi prathamaṃ gajān niṣkrāmayettoraṇaistu gopurādi na laṅghayet
Sesudah memandikan kuda-kuda, berikan kepada mereka piṇḍa (bola-bola makanan). Lalu, pertama-tama, tuntunlah gajah-gajah keluar. Jangan melangkahi atau melintasi gerbang-arch (toraṇa), gopura, dan bangunan sejenis.
Lord Agni (in dialogue instruction to the sage Vasiṣṭha, as typical for Agni Purana ritual sections)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Vastu","practical_application":"Protocol for auspicious handling of royal animals and movement through palace/temple gateways: feed offerings after bathing; order of procession; avoid crossing/stepping over sacred/architectural thresholds improperly.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Aśva-snāna, piṇḍa-dāna, gaja-prathama-niṣkramaṇa, toraṇa-maryādā","lookup_keywords":["aśva-snāna","piṇḍa","gaja-niṣkramaṇa","toraṇa","gopura"],"quick_summary":"After bathing horses, give them food-balls; lead elephants out first; maintain threshold etiquette by not transgressing/overstepping toraṇas and gopuras."}
Concept: Maryādā (ritual-architectural boundary discipline) preserves auspiciousness; sequencing (krama) matters in śānti-kriyā.
Application: In departures/processions, keep correct order, feed and calm animals, and respect threshold rules to avoid doṣa (inauspicious fault).
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Shanti-kriya (Ritual procedure and auspicious protocol for processions and departures)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A procession scene: freshly bathed horses being offered piṇḍas; elephants led out first; a grand gopura and toraṇa stand ahead while attendants carefully guide animals without violating the threshold etiquette.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, palace-temple gateway with tall gopura, elephants exiting first, horses being fed round piṇḍas, attendants in traditional dress, emphasis on threshold sanctity","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, gold on gopura ornaments and animal caparisons, attendants offering piṇḍas to horses, elephants moving forward, auspicious doorway motifs","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear architectural depiction of toraṇa and gopura, orderly procession with elephants first, horses at side receiving food-balls, didactic composition","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, court departure: detailed gateway arch, mahouts guiding elephants, grooms feeding horses, courtiers observing rules, intricate textiles and stonework"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shree","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: निष्क्रामयेत्तोरणैस्तु = निष्क्रामयेत् + तोरणैः + तु; गोपुरादि = गोपुर + आदि (तत्पुरुष).
Related Themes: Agni Purana: śānti-kriyā and niryāṇa (departure) protocols; vastu-related threshold rules
FAQs
It gives yātrā/niṣkramaṇa protocol: ritually purify horses by bathing, feed them piṇḍas, send elephants out first, and observe an auspicious restriction regarding not crossing over gateway structures like toraṇas and gopuras.
Beyond theology, it preserves practical ceremonial rules—animal-handling, procession order, and architectural boundaries (toraṇa/gopura)—showing the text’s coverage of ritual logistics and auspicious conduct alongside many other disciplines.
The bathing, feeding, and orderly exit function as śuddhi and maṅgala measures meant to avert inauspiciousness (doṣa/ariṣṭa) during departures, thereby supporting success and ritual merit through careful observance of omens and boundaries.