Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 19
Dīkṣāvidhi-kathana
Explanation of the Rite of Initiation
देवदेवानुजानीहि प्राकृतैः पाशबन्धनैः पाशितान्मोचयिष्यामि त्वत्प्रसादात् पशूनिमान्
devadevānujānīhi prākṛtaiḥ pāśabandhanaiḥ pāśitānmocayiṣyāmi tvatprasādāt paśūnimān
ಓ ದೇವದೇವಾ! ಅನುಮತಿ ನೀಡು; ನಿನ್ನ ಪ್ರಸಾದದಿಂದ ಸಾಮಾನ್ಯ ಪಾಶಬಂಧನಗಳಿಂದ ಬಂಧಿತರಾದ ಈ ಪಶುಗಳನ್ನು ನಾನು ಬಿಡುಗಡೆ ಮಾಡುತ್ತೇನೆ.
Ritual officiant/devotee addressing the supreme deity (Devadeva) within a liturgical instruction context narrated in the Agni Purana
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vrata","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Ritual petition (vijñapti) seeking divine consent before untying sacrificial/ritual animals; establishes dharmic accountability and anugraha-based action.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Devānujñā (seeking divine permission) for pāśa-mocana of paśu","lookup_keywords":["devānujñā","pāśa-baddha","paśu-mocana","vijñapti","anugraha"],"quick_summary":"Before releasing bound animals, the officiant formally requests the Lord’s permission and attributes the act’s success to divine grace, aligning the rite with dharma and anugraha."}
Concept: Kartṛtva tempered by īśvara-prasāda: even compassionate acts are performed with humility and divine sanction.
Application: Before consequential ritual acts (especially involving living beings), articulate intention, seek anujñā, and dedicate agency to the deity to avoid doṣa and to align with dharma.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Devata-stuti and Anugraha (Prayer for divine permission and grace)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A priest stands before the deity’s altar with folded hands, requesting permission to untie animals bound with ropes; attendants hold the ropes gently, awaiting the divine assent.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, temple interior with lamp rows, priest in añjali-mudrā before Vishnu shrine, animals calmly tethered with visible ropes, attendants poised to release, subdued sacred palette and solemn dharmic mood.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, deity in ornate frame with gold leaf, priest kneeling in prayer, animals at side with decorative ropes, emphasis on sanctity and compassion, rich reds and gold highlights.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clear ritual narrative: priest’s petition gesture, ropes and knots drawn distinctly, calm animals, minimal background, fine detailing of ritual vessels and altar.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed courtyard of a shrine, priest addressing deity, attendants holding rope knots, animals rendered naturalistically, delicate architectural borders and calligraphic cartouches."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: Resolved: devadevānujānīhi = deva-deva + anujānīhi; pāśitān mocayiṣyāmi (no sandhi); tvatprasādāt = tvat + prasādāt; paśūnimān = paśūn + imān.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 27 (paśu-related pūjā steps and prayers)
FAQs
It gives a liturgical formula of seeking divine consent (anujñā) before performing pasha-mochana—ritually releasing beings bound with ordinary ropes/nooses—framing the act as valid only through divine grace.
Beyond theology, it preserves practical ritual protocol: permission-invocation, ethical handling of living beings (paśu), and the correct framing of an action as a sanctioned rite—showing the Purana’s coverage of applied worship procedures alongside doctrine.
The verse emphasizes that release from bondage is a meritorious act when done with reverence and divine sanction, shifting the agent’s claim from personal power to grace (prasāda), which supports purification and compassionate dharma.