Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 70
Dīkṣāvidhi-kathana
Explanation of the Rite of Initiation
क्रमात्तत्त्वानि सर्वाणि शोधयेत् स्थण्डिले हरौ ताडनेन वियोज्याथ गृहीत्वात्मनि तत्परः
kramāttattvāni sarvāṇi śodhayet sthaṇḍile harau tāḍanena viyojyātha gṛhītvātmani tatparaḥ
次に、順次に、儀礼の地（スタṇḍィラ）においてハリを礼拝しつつ、あらゆるタットヴァを浄化すべきである。ついでターダナ（儀礼的打触）によってそれらを分離し、己の内に摂取して、アートマン（自己）に専心して住せよ。
Lord Agni (in instruction to Sage Vasiṣṭha, the standard Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Philosophy","practical_application":"Bhūta-śuddhi/tattva-śuddhi method: sequentially purify tattvas on the ritual ground in Hari-worship, separate them via tāḍana, then internalize (draw into oneself) and abide in ātma-niṣṭhā.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Tattva-śodhana on Sthaṇḍila in Hari-pūjā; separation by Tāḍana and internalization into Ātman","lookup_keywords":["tattva-śodhana","bhūta-śuddhi","tāḍana","sthaṇḍila","ātma-niṣṭhā"],"quick_summary":"Purify the tattvas in sequence, ritually separate them by tāḍana, then absorb them into oneself and remain established in the Self—turning external rite into inner realization."}
Concept: From tattva-analysis to ātma-niṣṭhā: purification and dissolution of categories culminate in abiding as the Self.
Application: Use stepwise purification and internalization to shift from external worship to meditative self-establishment.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Tantric purification and internalization of tattvas)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"On a ritual ground before Hari, layered subtle principles (tattvas) are visualized as concentric strata; the practitioner purifies them in order, performs tāḍana to separate, then draws the layers inward into the heart and sits absorbed.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, Hari shrine at center, concentric elemental rings on the sthāṇḍila, priest performing tāḍana gesture, final pose of meditation with inward-flowing lines into the chest, bold traditional palette","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, Hari with gold halo, ritual ground with concentric tattva bands rendered ornamentally, priest drawing luminous strands into himself, gold leaf accents emphasizing inner absorption","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, diagrammatic yet elegant depiction of tattva sequence on the ground, step-by-step purification and then inward absorption into the practitioner, fine detailing and soft colors","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, subtle cosmological rings on the floor, practitioner performing a precise gesture, then seated in meditation with translucent layers flowing inward, intricate architectural setting"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: kramāt tattvāni: kramāt + tattvāni (final -t + t-). viyojyātha: viyojya + atha → viyojyātha. gṛhītvātmani: gṛhītvā + ātmani → gṛhītvātmani. tatpara = tasmin paraḥ (Tatpuruṣa).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 27 (tattva-nyāsa/bhūta-śuddhi related passages; tāḍana procedure)
FAQs
It teaches tattva-śuddhi as a stepwise rite performed on the sthaṇḍila during Hari-pūjā, followed by tāḍana (a ritual gesture/mantric act) to separate the tattvas and then re-absorb them into oneself (internal nyāsa).
It exemplifies the Purāṇa’s practical manual-style coverage of worship technology—detailing ritual space (sthaṇḍila), purification theory (tattvas), and gesture/mantra operations (tāḍana, viyojana, grahaṇa)—alongside its broader teachings on devotion and metaphysics.
By purifying and re-integrating the tattvas into the Self while focused on Hari, the practitioner ritually transcends impurity and fragmentation, cultivating inner purity, concentration, and merit through disciplined worship and self-identification with the sacred.