Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 4
Chapter 21 — सामान्यपूजाकथनम्
Teaching on General Worship
ऋग्वेदाद्यं कृताद्यञ्च सत्वाद्यर्कादिमण्डलम् विमलोत्कर्षिणी ज्ञाना क्रिया योगा च ता यजेत्
ṛgvedādyaṃ kṛtādyañca satvādyarkādimaṇḍalam vimalotkarṣiṇī jñānā kriyā yogā ca tā yajet
ഋഗ്വേദം മുതലായുള്ള മണ്ഡലം, കൃതയുഗം മുതലായുള്ള മണ്ഡലം, സത്ത്വം മുതലായുള്ള സൂര്യമണ്ഡലം—ഇവയെ പൂജിക്കണം; കൂടാതെ ശുദ്ധിയും ഉന്നതിയും നൽകുന്ന ത്രയം—ജ്ഞാനം, ക്രിയ, യോഗം—ഇവയും ആരാധിക്കണം।
Lord Agni (teaching the sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purāṇa’s instructional dialogue)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Puja-vidhi","practical_application":"Directs mandala-based worship integrating Vedic strata (Ṛgveda etc.), cosmic time (yugas beginning with Kṛta), guṇa-based solar/cosmic mandalas, and the triad Jñāna–Kriyā–Yoga as purifying powers.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Mandala-arcana: Veda–Yuga–Guṇa–Sūrya mandalas with Jñāna–Kriyā–Yoga triad","lookup_keywords":["ṛgveda-mandala","kṛtayuga","sattva","sūrya-maṇḍala","jñāna-kriyā-yoga"],"quick_summary":"Prescribes worship of layered mandalas—scriptural (Veda), temporal (Yuga), cosmological (solar/guṇa)—and the purifying triad of knowledge, ritual action, and yoga, integrating Vedic and Tantric ritual logic."}
Concept: Tri-sādhana integration: Jñāna (right understanding), Kriyā (right ritual/ethical action), Yoga (inner discipline) together purify and elevate; cosmology and scripture become objects of contemplative worship.
Application: Design a daily/periodic worship that balances study (jñāna), disciplined rites (kriyā), and meditation/breath-mind training (yoga), using a mandala visualization to keep the practice coherent.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Devata-tattva (Vedic-Tantric worship and cosmological deities)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A multi-layered mandala: outer ring with Veda symbols starting from Ṛgveda, another ring with yugas starting from Kṛta, an inner solar disc associated with sattva; three luminous goddesses/powers labeled Jñāna, Kriyā, Yoga being worshipped by a priest.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: large circular mandala with concentric rings; stylized sun at center; three śakti figures (Jñāna, Kriyā, Yoga) seated on lotuses; priest offering lamps; strong geometry with traditional color blocks.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: radiant central Sūrya with gold foil rays; concentric rings with small Veda and Yuga personifications; Jñāna-Kriyā-Yoga as three crowned goddesses with heavy gilded ornaments; ornate frame.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: precise mandala diagram with clear concentric labeling; central sun disc; three seated figures for Jñāna/Kriyā/Yoga; emphasis on instructional clarity and symmetry.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: a ritual scholar draws a mandala on the floor with colored powders; assistants hold manuscripts labeled Ṛgveda; a sun emblem glows in the center; delicate architectural setting and fine detailing."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ऋग्वेदाद्यं→ऋग्-veda-ādyam; कृताद्यञ्च→कृत-ādyam ca; सत्वाद्यर्कादिमण्डलम्→satva-ādi arka-ādi maṇḍalam; ता यजेत्→ताः यजेत्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana mandala/pūjā-vidhi materials (contextual); Agni Purana cosmology sections on yugas and guṇas (contextual)
FAQs
It prescribes worship (yajet) of a structured “mandala” of principles—Veda (Ṛgveda-first), cosmic time (Kṛta-first yuga cycle), qualities (Sattva-first guṇas), and the solar sphere (Arka)—along with the operational triad of Jñāna, Kriyā, and Yoga as worship-worthy powers.
In one compact instruction it integrates multiple knowledge-domains—Vedic hierarchy, cosmology (yugas), Sāṃkhya-style guṇas, solar theology, and yogic/ritual praxis—showing how the Agni Purāṇa cross-links philosophy, ritual technology, and cosmography.
By venerating the purifying and elevating forces (vimalotkarṣiṇī) of Jñāna–Kriyā–Yoga within a cosmic mandala, the practitioner aims at inner purification, merit through right observance, and spiritual ascent through disciplined integration of knowledge, action, and yoga.