Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 4
Chapter 22 — स्नानविधिकथनं
Instruction on the Rite of Bathing
वासदेवप्रजप्तेन तीर्थं सङ्कल्प्य चालभेत् गात्रं वेदादिना मन्त्रैः सम्मार्ज्याराध्य मूर्तिना
vāsadevaprajaptena tīrthaṃ saṅkalpya cālabhet gātraṃ vedādinā mantraiḥ sammārjyārādhya mūrtinā
ವಾಸುದೇವ ಜಪದಿಂದ ತೀರ್ಥಜಲವನ್ನು ಸಂಸ್ಕರಿಸಿ, ಅದನ್ನು ತೀರ್ಥವೆಂದು ಸಂಕಲ್ಪಿಸಿ ಗ್ರಹಿಸಬೇಕು. ನಂತರ ವೇದಾದಿ ಮಂತ್ರಗಳಿಂದ ದೇಹವನ್ನು ಮಾರ್ಜನ ಮಾಡಿ, ಮೂರ್ತಿರೂಪ ದೇವತೆಯನ್ನು ಆರಾಧಿಸಬೇಕು.
Lord Agni (in instruction to the sage Vasiṣṭha, per the common Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Puja-vidhi","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Consecration of water (tirtha-sankalpa) and bodily purification prior to icon-worship; establishes ritual purity and correct sequence for Vaishnava puja.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Vasudeva-japa Tirtha-sankalpa and Mantra-sammārjana before Murti-puja","lookup_keywords":["Vasudeva japa","tirtha sankalpa","mantra sammārjana","śauca","murti aradhana"],"quick_summary":"Consecrate water by Vāsudeva-japa, resolve it as tīrtha, purify the body with Vedic mantras, then proceed to worship the deity in icon-form."}
Concept: Mantra and sankalpa transform ordinary substances into ritually potent media; purity precedes deity-contact.
Application: Use japa + sankalpa to sacralize water; perform mantra-based cleansing before approaching the icon.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Vishnu/Vasudeva worship and purification rites)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A devotee consecrates a water vessel by japa of Vāsudeva, performs sankalpa, sprinkles/purifies the body with mantras, then stands before a Vishnu icon for worship.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, Vaishnava priest with water kalasha, palm-leaf mantra text, sanctifying water by japa, then approaching a serene Vishnu mūrti in sanctum, rich reds/ochres, stylized lotus motifs.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central Vishnu mūrti with gold halo and arch, foreground devotee holding tirtha vessel, gesture of sankalpa and sprinkling, heavy gold work, jewel tones.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional puja sequence: water consecration, sankalpa posture, mantra-based purification, then offering at the icon; delicate lines, muted palette, clear ritual implements labeled visually.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly interior turned temple chamber, devotee with small lota and spoon, reciting Vāsudeva, washing/purifying, then facing a Vishnu icon on pedestal; fine detailing of textiles and vessels."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: वासदेवप्रजप्तेन = वासुदेव-प्रजप्तेन (समास). चालभेत् = च + आलभेत्. वेदादिना = वेद-आदिना. सम्मार्ज्याराध्य = सम्मार्ज्य + आराध्य.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Puja-vidhi sections on ācamana, nyāsa, arghya, and snāna (same khanda)
FAQs
It teaches the pūjā-preliminary: sanctify water through Vāsudeva-japa, perform tīrtha-saṅkalpa, purify the body with Vedic/ancillary mantras, and then proceed to mūrti (icon) worship.
It preserves a precise, procedural manual for worship—linking mantra practice (japa), ritual intention (saṅkalpa), purification (śuddhi), and icon worship (mūrti-pūjā)—showing the Purāṇa’s coverage of practical liturgy alongside theology.
By combining consecration (mantra-charged tīrtha), disciplined intention (saṅkalpa), and bodily purification, the act of worship becomes ritually valid and spiritually efficacious, supporting inner and outer purity for merit-bearing devotion.