Agni Purana — Veda-vidhana & Vamsha, Shloka 15
Nīrājana-vidhiḥ
Procedure of Nīrājana / Auspicious Lamp-Waving and Royal Propitiation
जाग्रन्निशि बलिन्दद्याद्द्वितीये ऽह्नि पुनर्यजेत् भद्रकालि महाकालि दुर्गे दुर्गार्तिहारिणि
jāgranniśi balindadyāddvitīye 'hni punaryajet bhadrakāli mahākāli durge durgārtihāriṇi
夜は目覚めて守夜し、バリ（供献）を捧げるべきである。第二日には再び礼拝を行い、こう唱えて祈る。「おお、バドラカーリーよ、おお、マハーカーリーよ、おお、ドゥルガーよ—苦難にある者の悩みを除きたまう方よ。」
Lord Agni (teaching ritual procedure to sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Night vigil with bali offering, followed by second-day worship invoking Bhadrakālī/Mahākālī/Durgā for removal of distress; used for protection, victory, and obstacle-clearing rites.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Devī-bali and Two-day Upāsanā: Bhadrakālī–Mahākālī–Durgā Invocation","lookup_keywords":["jāgaran","bali","dvitīya-ahni","Bhadrakālī","Mahākālī","Durgā"],"quick_summary":"Outlines a protective Devī rite: keep night vigil, offer bali, and repeat worship on the second day while invoking the goddess as remover of distress; suitable for śānti and jaya intentions."}
Alamkara Type: Nāma-mālā (epithet string)
Weapon Type: Devī as warrior-protectress (implied)
Concept: Discipline (jāgaraṇa), offering (bali), and repeated worship cultivate protective power and inner steadiness; distress is met with structured devotion and courage.
Application: Adopt a time-bound vow during crises: vigil/fasting as appropriate, repeated prayer, and charitable offerings; keep the rite non-harmful and socially responsible per local dharma norms.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Tantric Devi-upasana / Bali–Homa procedure)
Primary Rasa: Vira
Secondary Rasa: Bhayanaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A night-time Devī rite: devotees keep vigil by lamp-light, offering bali before a fierce yet protective image of Bhadrakālī/Mahākālī/Durgā; the next day, worship continues with renewed offerings for relief from distress.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, nocturnal temple courtyard with oil lamps, devotees in jāgaraṇa, Bhadrakālī/Mahākālī depicted with bold eyes and dynamic posture, offerings arranged, deep reds and blacks balanced with gold ochre highlights.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, Durgā/Bhadrakālī central with gold foil halo and ornaments, devotees offering bali on a tray, night lamps rendered as glowing gold, ornate arch frame, devotional intensity.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, two-panel narrative: left night vigil with bali, right second-day worship, clear ritual implements (lamp, flowers, offering tray), soft shading, instructional sequencing.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, night interior with lamp-lit figures, detailed textiles and ritual vessels, goddess image on a pedestal, second-day scene hinted with dawn light, calligraphic caption for the invocation names."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: जाग्रन्निशि = जाग्रन् + निशि (न् + न → न्न); बलिन्दद्याद् = बलिम् + दद्याद् (म् + द → न्द in transmission); द्वितीयेऽह्नि = द्वितीये + अह्नि (ए + अ → एऽ); पुनर्यजेत् = पुनः + यजेत् (ः + य → र्य).
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Devī-upāsanā and bali/homa procedures; Agni Purana: śānti and rakṣā-kalpas
FAQs
It prescribes a Devi-upāsanā sequence: night-long vigil (jāgaraṇa), a bali (ritual offering) at night, and renewal of worship on the second day with a focused invocation of Bhadrakālī/Mahākālī/Durgā.
Alongside theology, the Agni Purana functions as a practical ritual handbook; this verse records operational details—timing (night/second day), offering type (bali), and deity-specific epithets—typical of its procedural, manual-like sections.
The vigil, bali, and repeated worship are framed as a means to obtain the Goddess’s protection and removal of distress (ārti), emphasizing refuge in Durgā as the remover of dangers and hardships.