Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 20
Śāva-āśauca and Sūtikā-śauca: Death/Childbirth Impurity, Preta-śuddhi, and Śrāddha Procedure
Chapter 157
विकर्षूणां समीपे च ज्वालयेज् ज्वलनत्रयं सोमाय वह्नये राम यमाय च समासतः
vikarṣūṇāṃ samīpe ca jvālayej jvalanatrayaṃ somāya vahnaye rāma yamāya ca samāsataḥ
ವಿಕರ್ಷೂಣಾಂ (ಎಳೆದ ರೇಖೆಗಳು) ಸಮೀಪದಲ್ಲಿಯೂ ಅಗ್ನಿ-ತ್ರಯವನ್ನು ಪ್ರಜ್ವಲಿಸಬೇಕು—ಸಂಕ್ಷೇಪವಾಗಿ: ಸೋಮಕ್ಕಾಗಿ, ವಹ್ನಿ (ಅಗ್ನಿ)ಗಾಗಿ ಮತ್ತು ಯಮಕ್ಕಾಗಿ, ಓ ರಾಮ।
Lord Agni (narrating ritual procedure)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vrata","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Setting up and kindling the prescribed triad of ritual fires at the correct locus in a homa/puja layout, assigning each fire to its intended devata (Soma, Agni, Yama) before offerings begin.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Jvalana-traya: Kindling the three fires for Soma–Agni–Yama","lookup_keywords":["jvalanatraya","Soma-vahni-yama","homa-agni","vikarshuna-rekha","puja-vidhi"],"quick_summary":"Kindle three distinct ritual fires near the drawn ritual lines, each dedicated respectively to Soma, Agni (Vahni), and Yama, establishing the devata-wise structure for subsequent offerings."}
Concept: Devata-bheda through agni-bheda (distinct fires as distinct channels of offering).
Application: Maintain separate fires/altars or clearly demarcated fire-places so offerings are not mixed across devatas, preserving ritual intention (sankalpa) and phala.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Homa and fire-offering procedure)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritual ground with three small fire-altars kindled near drawn lines/markings; the officiant prepares to dedicate each fire to Soma, Agni, and Yama.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, ochre-red background, a brahmana officiant in white dhoti kindling three separate homa fires beside clearly drawn ritual lines, subtle devata emblems: Soma as crescent/moon motif, Agni as flame-faced presence, Yama as dark guardian silhouette, sacred vessels and ladles arranged symmetrically","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting with gold leaf highlights on the three flames and ritual vessels, central priest kindling triad of fires labeled Soma–Agni–Yama through iconographic symbols (moon, flame, danda), rich textile borders, frontal composition","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clean linework showing the vedi layout with vikarshuna lines, three fire-pits precisely placed, instructional diagram-like clarity with soft colors and minimal background","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed courtyard yajna scene with three small fire altars near chalked lines, attendants holding ghee ladles, fine architectural framing, delicate flames and labeled devata symbols"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: jvālayej = jvālayet (final -t before j-).
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Puja-vidhi sections on homa-agni, agnyadhana, and devata-wise ahuti-krama (adjacent verses in 157)
FAQs
It gives a practical homa instruction: kindle a set of three ritual fires at the designated marked/outlined area, dedicating them to Soma, Agni (Vahni), and Yama.
Alongside theology, the Agni Purana preserves operational ritual know-how—how to physically set up and ignite fires and assign deity-specific functions—showing it as a manual of applied religious practice.
Correctly kindled and dedicated fires are treated as a disciplined, purificatory act: offerings made through them are believed to reach the intended deities and support protection, order (niyama), and ritual merit.