Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 51
Chapter 33 — पवित्रारोहणविधानं
The Procedure for Pavitrārohaṇa / Installing the Sacred Thread or Consecratory Amulet
उपवासादिनियमं कुर्याद्वै देवसन्निधौ उपवासादिनियतो देवं सन्तोषयाम्यहम्
upavāsādiniyamaṃ kuryādvai devasannidhau upavāsādiniyato devaṃ santoṣayāmyaham
នៅចំពោះមុខព្រះទេវតាផ្ទាល់ គួរធ្វើវិន័យនៃការអត់អាហារ និងការអនុវត្តផ្សេងៗ។ ដោយបានគ្រប់គ្រងខ្លួនដោយអត់អាហារ និងវ្រតទាំងនោះ ខ្ញុំធ្វើឲ្យព្រះទេវតាពេញព្រះហឫទ័យ។
Lord Agni (narrating the ritual procedure, traditionally to sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vrata","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Undertake upavāsa and allied niyamas in the deity’s presence as a formal vow to cultivate restraint and please the deity.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Upavāsa-ādi Niyama in Deva-sannidhi (Fasting Discipline Before the Deity)","lookup_keywords":["upavāsa","niyama","deva-sannidhi","vrata","santoṣa"],"quick_summary":"Fasting and related restraints are to be formally adopted before the deity; the practitioner explicitly frames the restraint as an act meant to satisfy/please the god."}
Concept: External restraint (upavāsa-niyama) is meaningful when consciously offered as devotion in the deity’s presence.
Application: State the sankalpa clearly before worship; keep observances consistent and intention-focused to convert austerity into devotional merit.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Vrata & Upavasa Niyama)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
Type: Tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A devotee stands or kneels before the deity’s shrine, hands folded, declaring a fasting vow; simple offerings and a lamp burn steadily.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: temple interior with deep lamp glow; devotee in añjali-mudrā before the deity; minimal offerings (flowers, water vessel); calm, symmetrical composition.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: deity panel with gold work; devotee at the base with folded hands; ornate arch, bright kumkum reds; inscription-like band suggesting the vow statement.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: gentle instructional scene showing sankalpa posture, clean altar layout; soft colors, fine ornamentation; emphasis on serenity and restraint.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: shrine courtyard; devotee making vow before a small sanctum; attendants with trays; delicate architectural detailing and floral borders."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: kuryādvai = kuryāt vai; santoṣayāmyaham = santoṣayāmi aham.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 33 (Vrata/upavāsa context around pavitrārohaṇa and nitya-pūjā)
FAQs
It prescribes upavāsa (fasting) and allied niyamas to be performed specifically in the deity’s presence as a practical component of pūjā and vrata-discipline.
Beyond mythology, it codifies actionable ritual procedure—how observances like fasting function within temple/shrine worship—showing the text’s handbook-style coverage of religious practice.
Self-restraint through fasting and observances is presented as a direct means to gratify the deity, implying purification of conduct and the accrual of religious merit through disciplined worship.