Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 22
Worship of Gaurī and Others (Gauryādi-pūjā) — Mantra, Maṇḍala, Mudrā, Homa, and Mṛtyuñjaya Kalaśa-Rite
अष्टम्याञ्च चतुर्दश्यां तृतीयायां विशेषतः मृत्युञ्चयार्चनं वक्ष्ये पूजयेत् कलसोदरे
aṣṭamyāñca caturdaśyāṃ tṛtīyāyāṃ viśeṣataḥ mṛtyuñcayārcanaṃ vakṣye pūjayet kalasodare
アシュタミー（第八月日）、チャトゥルダシー（第十四）、とりわけトリティーヤー（第三）において、ムリティユンジャヤ（Mṛtyuñjaya）の礼拝を説こう。加持されたカラシャ（kalaśa：聖なる壺）の内において供養を行うべきである。
Lord Agni (in instruction to the sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purana dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vrata","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Timing and method for Mṛtyuñjaya worship: perform on tithis (8th, 14th, especially 3rd) and conduct archana within/at the interior space of a consecrated kalaśa (kalasha-pūjā as locus).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Mṛtyuñjaya-archana on Aṣṭamī, Caturdaśī, and (especially) Tṛtīyā; kalaśa-antar-pūjā","lookup_keywords":["mṛtyuñjaya-arcana","aṣṭamī","caturdaśī","tṛtīyā","kalaśa-pūjā"],"quick_summary":"Schedule Mṛtyuñjaya worship on the 8th and 14th lunar days, with special emphasis on the 3rd; perform the veneration centered in a sanctified ritual pot, treating the kalaśa as the deity’s seat."}
Concept: Sacred time (tithi) and sacred support (kalaśa as ādhāra) structure protective worship aimed at overcoming fear of death.
Application: Choose the specified tithis, establish a properly consecrated kalaśa, and perform archana with the deity invoked into the vessel as the ritual center.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Mrityunjaya-archana and Kalasha-puja)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A consecrated kalaśa with mango leaves and coconut is placed on a mandala; the practitioner performs Mṛtyuñjaya archana directed to the deity invoked within the pot, on auspicious lunar days (8th/14th/3rd) indicated by a lunar calendar scroll.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, prominent decorated kalaśa on lotus mandala, Śaiva symbols (tripuṇḍra, bilva leaves), priest offering flowers and water toward the pot, soft lamp-lit sanctum ambiance, lunar tithi symbols in border motifs","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting with gold leaf on the kalaśa and ornaments, bilva garlands, Śiva’s Mṛtyuñjaya presence suggested as a subtle aura behind the pot, rich reds and greens, ceremonial symmetry","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional clarity: kalaśa components labeled (jala, pañcapallava, nārikela), archana sequence shown, small calendar panel marking aṣṭamī/caturdaśī/tṛtīyā, fine linework","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, elegant ritual chamber with a central kalaśa on a patterned carpet, priest performing archana, a delicate lunar calendar folio beside, meticulous rendering of leaves, water, and vessels"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: अष्टम्याञ्च → अष्टम्याम् च; मृत्युञ्चयार्चनं → मृत्युञ्जय-अर्चनम् (ज→ञ् sandhi in compound/orthography); कलसोदरे = कलस-उदरे (तत्पुरुष)
Related Themes: Agni Purana 325 (Śaiva pūjā-vidhi; kalasha-centered rites); Agni Purana sections on Śiva-mantras and protective worship
FAQs
It specifies auspicious tithis (Aṣṭamī, Caturdaśī, and especially Tṛtīyā) for performing Mṛtyuñjaya-arcana and indicates a kalasha-centered worship method (pūjā performed in/through the consecrated pot).
It exemplifies the Agni Purana’s practical ritual cataloging—linking calendrical timing (tithi discipline) with a concrete liturgical technology (kalaśa as a ritual locus), typical of its wide-ranging procedural manuals across many domains.
Mṛtyuñjaya worship is traditionally associated with protection, longevity, and overcoming fear of death; performing it on prescribed tithis and with proper kalasha-vidhi is presented as a way to enhance efficacy and merit through correct observance.