Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 4
Chapter 37 — सर्वदेवपवित्रारोहणविधिः
Procedure for Installing the Pavitra for All Deities
शिवदेव नमस्तुभ्यं गृह्णीष्वेदं पवित्रकं मणिविद्रुममालाभिर्मन्दारकुसुमादिभिः
śivadeva namastubhyaṃ gṛhṇīṣvedaṃ pavitrakaṃ maṇividrumamālābhirmandārakusumādibhiḥ
ಹೇ ಶಿವದೇವನೇ, ನಿಮಗೆ ನಮಸ್ಕಾರ. ದಯವಿಟ್ಟು ಈ ಪವಿತ್ರಕವನ್ನು ಸ್ವೀಕರಿಸಿ—ಮಣಿ ಮತ್ತು ವಿದ್ರುಮ (ಹವಳ) ಮಾಲೆಗಳೊಂದಿಗೆ, ಮಂದಾರ ಕುಸುಮಾದಿ ಪುಷ್ಪಗಳೊಂದಿಗೆ ಕೂಡಿಸಿ.
Lord Agni (in instruction on pūjā-vidhi, narrated to a sage-listener in the Agni Purana’s dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Puja-vidhi","secondary_vidya":"Stotra","practical_application":"Śaiva offering formula: present pavitraka along with specified high-value garlands (gems/coral) and flowers (mandāra etc.) as upacāras in worship.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Śiva-pavitraka offering with ratna-mālā and mandāra flowers","lookup_keywords":["Śiva","pavitraka","maṇi-mālā","vidruma","mandāra-kusuma"],"quick_summary":"In Śiva worship, the pavitraka is offered together with distinguished garlands—gems and coral—and auspicious flowers like mandāra, indicating graded excellence of upacāras."}
Alamkara Type: Samuccaya (aggregation/listing)
Concept: Devotion is expressed through purity (pavitraka) and excellence of offerings (ratna, coral, mandāra), matching the deity’s honor.
Application: When resources allow, upgrade offerings in quality (not merely quantity) while keeping the core purificatory act central.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Shaiva worship and offering procedures)
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A Śaiva shrine scene: Śiva (liṅga or anthropomorphic) receives a pavitraka; attendants hold gem-and-coral garlands and mandāra flowers; the altar is richly decorated.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, Śiva in calm majesty, priest offering pavitraka, attendants with red coral garlands and mandāra blossoms, deep reds and browns, stylized floral borders.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, Śiva with gold halo and ornate jewelry, heavy gold work on garlands and offering vessels, vivid mandāra flowers, sanctum setting with lamps.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, precise depiction of offerings: coral beads, gem garland, mandāra flowers, priest placing pavitraka; balanced composition suited to ritual instruction.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed still-life of garlands and flowers in attendants’ hands, shrine niche with Śiva symbol, fine brushwork on beads and petals, subdued elegance."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Shivaranjani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: namastubhyaṃ→namaḥ tubhyam; gṛhṇīṣvedaṃ→gṛhṇīṣva idam; मणिविद्रुममालाभिः→मणि-विद्रुम-मालाभिः; मन्दारकुसुमादिभिः→मन्दार-कुसुम-आदिभिः.
Related Themes: Agni Purāṇa (Śiva-pūjā and liṅga-pūjā procedures in pūjā-vidhi sections)
FAQs
It specifies an upacāra of Śiva-pūjā: presenting a pavitraka (pavitra-thread/amulet used for ritual sanctification) along with specific auspicious offerings such as gem-and-coral garlands and mandāra flowers.
By cataloging concrete worship implements (pavitraka, particular garlands, named flowers) and the exact devotional address, it functions like a ritual manual embedded within the Purana—one of the text’s hallmark encyclopedic features.
Offering a pavitraka and auspicious materials is framed as a purifying, merit-generating act that honors Śiva with ritually “fit” (pavitra) substances, supporting inner and outer sanctity in worship.