Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 20
Chapter 23 — पूजाविधिकथनम्
The Account of the Rules of Worship
एवमष्टाक्षराद्यैश् च पूजां कृत्वा विमुक्तिभाक् एकमूर्त्यर्चनं प्रोक्तं नवव्यूहार्चनं शृणु
evamaṣṭākṣarādyaiś ca pūjāṃ kṛtvā vimuktibhāk ekamūrtyarcanaṃ proktaṃ navavyūhārcanaṃ śṛṇu
ഇങ്ങനെ അഷ്ടാക്ഷരാദി മന്ത്രങ്ങളാൽ പൂജ ചെയ്താൽ साधകൻ മോക്ഷത്തിന് അർഹനാകുന്നു. ഏകമൂർത്തി അർച്ചനം പറഞ്ഞുകഴിഞ്ഞു; ഇനി നവവ്യൂഹ അർച്ചനം കേൾക്കുക.
Lord Agni (instructing sage Vashistha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Philosophy","practical_application":"Use the Aṣṭākṣarī and related Vaiṣṇava mantras for liberation-oriented worship; proceed from ekamūrti-arcana to the more elaborate navavyūha-arcana framework.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Aṣṭākṣarī-based Vaiṣṇava worship leading to mokṣa; transition from Ekamūrti to Navavyūha arcana","lookup_keywords":["aṣṭākṣarī","mokṣa","ekamūrti-arcana","navavyūha","vyūha-arcana"],"quick_summary":"Worship with the eight-syllabled Vaiṣṇava mantra and allied mantras is presented as mokṣa-yielding; after teaching single-form worship, the text introduces the nine-vyūha system for expanded ritual theology."}
Concept: Mantra-arcana is framed as a direct means toward vimukti; theological expansion from unity (eka) to ordered emanations (vyūha) provides graded contemplative supports.
Application: Begin with aṣṭākṣarī-centered daily worship; adopt vyūha-arcana when trained, using a structured multi-form visualization to deepen practice.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Vaishnava Mantra and Vyuharcana Worship Procedures)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: śānta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A teacher-sage instructs a disciple: first showing worship of a single Viṣṇu icon with aṣṭākṣarī mantra, then indicating a diagram or arrangement of nine vyūha forms for the next stage.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, guru teaching disciple before a central Viṣṇu shrine, aṣṭākṣarī written on palm-leaf, next panel shows nine emanational forms arranged in a mandala, bold colors and temple motifs","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central Viṣṇu with gold halo, guru holding palm-leaf inscribed mantra, disciple listening, surrounding medallions depicting nine vyūha forms with gold highlights, ornate arch and lamps","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, didactic composition: left side ekamūrti worship scene with mantra-japa, right side navavyūha layout as a neat mandala chart, soft palette, emphasis on clarity and structure","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, scholarly setting with manuscripts, guru-disciple dialogue, central shrine image, nine-form diagram painted like a miniature chart, intricate borders and refined detailing"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: एवमष्टाक्षराद्यैश् → एवम् + अष्टाक्षराद्यैः; एकमूर्त्यर्चनम् → एकमूर्ति + अर्चनम्; नवव्यूहार्चनम् → नवव्यूह + अर्चनम्; विमुक्तिभाक् (भाक्-शब्दः समासान्त).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 23 (Aṣṭākṣarī and Vaiṣṇava mantra sections; forthcoming Navavyūha-arcana section)
FAQs
It frames a Vaishnava worship sequence: after performing pūjā using the Aṣṭākṣara and related mantras, the text transitions from Ekamūrti-arcana (single-form worship) to Nava-vyūha-arcana (worship of nine Vyūha emanations).
By cataloging and systematizing ritual modules—mantra-based pūjā, single-form icon worship, and multi-emanation (vyūha) worship—it exemplifies the Agni Purana’s manual-like coverage of liturgy alongside its many other disciplines.
The verse explicitly links mantra-informed pūjā (centered on the Aṣṭākṣara) with vimukti—liberation—presenting disciplined worship as a direct means to purification and mokṣa-oriented merit.