Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 7
Chapter 22 — स्नानविधिकथनं
Instruction on the Rite of Bathing
जप्त्वान्याञ्छतशस्तस्य योगपीठादितः क्रमात् मन्त्रान् दिक्पालपर्यन्तानृषीन् पितृगणानपि
japtvānyāñchataśastasya yogapīṭhāditaḥ kramāt mantrān dikpālaparyantānṛṣīn pitṛgaṇānapi
ನಂತರ ಆ ವಿಧಿಯ ಇತರ ಮಂತ್ರಗಳನ್ನು ನೂರಾರು ಬಾರಿ ಜಪಿಸಿ, ಯೋಗಪೀಠದಿಂದ ಕ್ರಮವಾಗಿ. ದಿಕ್ಪಾಲರ ತನಕದ ಮಂತ್ರಗಳನ್ನು, ಹಾಗೆಯೇ ಋಷಿಗಳು ಮತ್ತು ಪಿತೃಗಣಗಳನ್ನೂ ಯಥಾವಿಧಿಯಾಗಿ ಆವಾಹನ/ಜಪ ಮಾಡಬೇಕು.
Lord Agni (teaching Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Structured japa/invocation sequence: repeated recitation of subsidiary mantras, beginning from yogapīṭha, extending through dikpālas, ṛṣis, and pitṛ-gaṇas—used to stabilize the ritual field and authorize worship.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Mantra-krama from Yogapīṭha to Dikpālas, Ṛṣis, and Pitṛ-gaṇas","lookup_keywords":["yogapitha","dikpala","rishi tarpana","pitr gana","mantra krama"],"quick_summary":"Recite ancillary mantras in a fixed order—starting with the yogapīṭha—then address direction-guardians, seers, and ancestors, with substantial repetition to complete the preparatory circuit."}
Concept: Ritual efficacy depends on ordered inclusion of cosmic powers (dikpālas), lineage authorities (ṛṣis), and ancestral continuity (pitṛs).
Application: Follow a fixed mantra-krama and sufficient repetition to ‘complete the circle’ of the rite before main worship.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Mantra-japa and Yogapitha/Deity-installation preliminaries)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritual mandala is established: yogapīṭha at center, then eight/ten directions marked with dikpālas; the practitioner recites mantras repeatedly and offers respect to ṛṣis and pitṛ hosts.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, circular mandala with central yogapīṭha lotus, dikpālas at cardinal/intercardinal points, priest chanting with japamālā, subtle ancestral figures in upper register, warm earthy palette.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-embellished mandala diagram with dikpālas in niches, central yogapīṭha, priest with mala; ornate borders and luminous gold detailing.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, didactic mandala layout: labeled directions, dikpāla figures, central pīṭha; practitioner seated with mala, offerings for ṛṣis and pitṛs arranged neatly.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, geometric courtyard mandala drawn on floor, small dikpāla emblems at edges, priest reciting with mala, faint ethereal ṛṣis/pitṛs above; intricate architectural framing."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shree","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: जप्त्वान्यान् = जप्त्वा + अन्यान्. अन्याञ्छतशः = अन्यान् + शतशः (न् + श → ञ्छ). दिक्पालपर्यन्तानृषीन् = दिक्पाल-पर्यन्तान् + ऋषीन् (न् + ऋ → नृ). पितृगणानपि = पितृ-गणान् + अपि.
Related Themes: Agni Purana sections detailing yogapīṭha/nyāsa, dikpāla-pūjana, and pitṛ-tarpaṇa adjuncts within puja-vidhi
FAQs
It prescribes the japa-krama: repeated recitation of the remaining mantras, beginning from the yogapīṭha, proceeding in order through the Dikpālas, and including Ṛṣi and Pitṛ components—i.e., a complete, properly sequenced mantra-cycle for a rite.
It exemplifies the text’s manual-like coverage of ritual technology—mapping a full liturgical sequence (yogapīṭha → directional deities → seers → ancestors), integrating tantric/yantric seating concepts with orthodox deity and ancestor observances.
Performing japa in the prescribed order is taught as a way to perfect the rite: it harmonizes the ritual space (directions), aligns the mantra-lineage (Ṛṣis), and satisfies ancestral obligations (Pitṛs), supporting purification and efficacy (siddhi) of the worship.