Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 5
Chapter 33 — पवित्रारोहणविधानं
The Procedure for Pavitrārohaṇa / Installing the Sacred Thread or Consecratory Amulet
ब्राह्मण्या कर्तितं सूत्रं तदलाभे तु संस्कृतं त्रिगुणं त्रिगुणीकृत्य तेन कुर्यात् पवित्रकं
brāhmaṇyā kartitaṃ sūtraṃ tadalābhe tu saṃskṛtaṃ triguṇaṃ triguṇīkṛtya tena kuryāt pavitrakaṃ
ຄວນໃຊ້ເສັ້ນດ້າຍທີ່ປັ່ນໂດຍນາງພຣາຫມະນີ; ຖ້າບໍ່ມີ ໃຫ້ໃຊ້ເສັ້ນດ້າຍທີ່ຊໍາລະແລະປະພິທີສຸດທິ. ພັບເປັນສາມສາຍ ແລ້ວທໍາໃຫ້ເປັນສາມເທົ່າອີກຄັ້ງໃຫ້ເປັນເກົ້າສາຍ; ດ້ວຍນັ້ນໃຫ້ເຮັດ pavitraka (ວົງແຫວນຊໍາລະ).
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purana narration frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Preparation of a pavitraka (purificatory ring/loop) for pūjā using properly sourced and ritually purified thread with prescribed folding/strand-count.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Pavitraka-nirmāṇa (thread source and ninefold folding)","lookup_keywords":["pavitraka","pavitra-sūtra","triguṇa","śuddha-sūtra","pūjā-śauca"],"quick_summary":"Use thread ideally spun by a Brahmin woman; if unavailable, use a consecrated/purified thread. Fold into three and triple again to make a ninefold pavitraka for ritual purity."}
Concept: Ritual efficacy depends on proper material purity (dravya-śuddhi) and correct procedure (vidhi).
Application: When ideal materials are unavailable, employ sanctioned substitutes after purification to preserve ritual validity.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Ritual Purification and Sacred Implements)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritual practitioner preparing a sacred thread, folding it into three strands and then into a ninefold loop to form a pavitraka ring, with a clean pūjā setup nearby.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, flat earthy colors, a priest seated on a wooden plank beside a brass lamp and kalasha, carefully folding white thread into a ninefold pavitraka ring, stylized ritual implements, traditional mural linework.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, rich reds and greens, gold-leaf highlights on pūjā vessels, close-up of hands forming a pavitraka ring from consecrated thread, ornate borders, devotional ambience.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, delicate shading and fine lines, instructional composition showing step-by-step folding of thread into three and nine, labeled ritual items (kalasha, flowers, incense) subtly indicated.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed textile textures, a pandit in a small pavilion preparing a pavitraka ring, precise depiction of thread coils and ritual tray, soft palette and fine brushwork."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तदलाभे = तत् + अलाभे; त्रिगुणीकृत्य = त्रिगुणी + कृत्य (क्त्वान्त: √कृ) (orthographic formation).
Related Themes: Agni Purana Pūjā-vidhi sections on dravya-śuddhi, pavitraka/pāvitrya, and upacāra-vidhi (same khanda)
FAQs
It teaches the correct material and method for preparing a pavitraka (purificatory ring) using a specified thread, made threefold and then tripled again (ninefold), with an alternative if the preferred thread is unavailable.
Beyond theology, it preserves precise procedural details of ritual technology—how to fabricate a small but essential worship implement—showing the Agni Purana’s coverage of practical pūjā-vidhi alongside broader dharma and sacred practice.
Using a properly prepared pavitraka supports ritual purity (śauca) and correctness in worship, which is traditionally held to enhance the efficacy (phala) of offerings and reduce faults (doṣa) in ritual performance.