Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 73
Dīkṣāvidhi-kathana
Explanation of the Rite of Initiation
दग्ध्वा निर्वापयेच्छिष्यान् पदे चैशे नियोजयेत् निनयेत् सिद्धिमार्गे वा साधकं देशिकोत्तमः
dagdhvā nirvāpayecchiṣyān pade caiśe niyojayet ninayet siddhimārge vā sādhakaṃ deśikottamaḥ
（儀礼として）その穢れを「焼き尽くし」たのち、師は弟子たちを「冷まし／鎮め」、イーシャの位階に安置すべきである。あるいは、最勝の導師がサーダカをシッディ（霊的成就）の道へ導くべきである。
Lord Agni (instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Guru-led initiation discipline: ritual ‘burning’ of impurities (dahana) followed by pacification/cooling (nirvapana), then installation into an Isha-grade or guidance toward siddhi-sadhana.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Dahana–Nirvapana in Diksha and Installation in Isha-pada","lookup_keywords":["diksha","dahana","nirvapana","isha-pada","siddhi-marga"],"quick_summary":"In initiation, the guru first destroys impurities, then pacifies the disciple, and installs them in the Isha-grade; alternatively, he guides the practitioner along the siddhi path."}
Concept: Diksha as transformative purification under a qualified guru: destruction of mala (impurity) followed by stabilization/appeasement, leading to empowerment (pada/adhikara) or siddhi-oriented practice.
Application: Maintain guru-disciple discipline: accept corrective purification (austerity, mantra, vows), then grounding practices (nyasa, japa, dhyana) before undertaking siddhi-sadhana; avoid premature pursuit of powers without installation and restraint.
Khanda Section: Isana-kalpa (Tantric initiation and guru-disciple discipline)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A guru performing initiation: a symbolic fire burning impurities, followed by a cooling rite (sprinkling water/nectar), then placing the disciple in an Isha-grade seat or guiding them toward a siddhi path.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, dignified acharya beside a homa-kunda, flames stylized as purifying tongues, disciple seated with folded hands, guru sprinkling consecrated water for nirvapana, Isha-symbol (trident/linga) behind, bold outlines and temple palette","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, initiation scene with homa fire in foreground, guru with ornate halo, disciple receiving abhisheka-like cooling, gold embossing on ritual vessels and mandala, Isha emblem above, rich reds and gold","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear stepwise ritual depiction: fire rite (dahana), water sprinkling (nirvapana), then guru pointing to a marked seat labeled ‘Isha-pada’, fine lines and instructional clarity","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, intimate courtyard initiation with small fire altar, guru in saffron, disciple in white, attendants holding kalasha, delicate architectural backdrop, subtle light indicating empowerment"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: nirvāpayet + śiṣyān → nirvāpayecchiṣyān; ca + aiśe → caiśe
Related Themes: Agni Purana Isana-kalpa sections on diksha, guru-lakshana, mantra-nyasa; Agni Purana mantra-kalpa passages on purification and empowerment
FAQs
It outlines a diksha-style sequence: ritual purification described as ‘burning’ impurities, followed by pacification (‘cooling’), then formally installing the disciple in an Īśa/Īśāna-associated grade or guiding the practitioner onto the siddhi-mārga.
Alongside its many topics, the Agni Purana preserves specialized initiation vocabulary (deśika, sādhaka, siddhi-mārga) and procedural ritual logic, showing it functions as a compendium of practical religious technologies, not only mythic narrative.
The ‘burning’ and subsequent ‘cooling’ symbolize removing karmic/psychic impurities and stabilizing the disciple, making them fit for higher installation (Īśa-state) or for disciplined progress toward siddhis under proper guidance.