Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 14
Chapter 34 — होमादिविधिः
The Procedure for Homa and Related Rites
ऐशान्यां दिशि तत्रस्थं स्थाप्यं कुम्भञ्च वर्धनीं कुम्भे साङ्गं हरिं प्रार्च्य वर्धन्यामस्त्रमर्चयेत्
aiśānyāṃ diśi tatrasthaṃ sthāpyaṃ kumbhañca vardhanīṃ kumbhe sāṅgaṃ hariṃ prārcya vardhanyāmastramarcayet
ഈശാന (വടക്കുകിഴക്ക്) ദിശയിൽ അവിടെ കുംഭവും വർധനീ പാത്രവും സ്ഥാപിക്കണം. കുംഭത്തിൽ ഹരിയെ സാംഗമായി വിധിപൂർവ്വം പൂജിച്ച്, വർധനിയിൽ അസ്ത്ര-മന്ത്രത്തെ അർച്ചിക്കണം.
Lord Agni (instructing sage Vasiṣṭha in ritual procedure)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Directional placement (Īśāna) of kumbha and vardhanī; perform aṅga-sahita Hari-arcana in the kumbha and astra-mantra worship in the vardhanī for protective sealing of the rite.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Īśāna-sthāna Kumbha–Vardhanī Sthāpana; Hari-aṅga Pūjā and Astra-arcana","lookup_keywords":["īśāna-dik","kumbha-sthāpana","vardhanī","hari-sāṅga-arcana","astra-pūjā"],"quick_summary":"Place kumbha and vardhanī in the north-east; worship Hari with His aṅgas in the kumbha, and worship the protective astra-mantra in the vardhanī to secure the ritual field."}
Weapon Type: Astra (mantric protective weapon principle)
Concept: Ritual space is energized through ordered placement (dik-krama) and layered worship (deity + aṅgas + protective astra).
Application: When performing Vaiṣṇava/Tantric pūjā, separate the main deity-seat (kumbha) from the protective implement (vardhanī with astra) to maintain clarity of functions: grace vs. guarding.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Tantric/Vaishnava ritual installation and worship directions)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: Sacred-direction
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"In the north-east corner of a ritual hall, a kumbha and a vardhanī are set; the priest offers gandha and flowers to Hari invoked in the kumbha, then turns to the vardhanī to worship the astra-mantra as a protective force.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, NE corner emphasized with auspicious motifs, two vessels (kumbha and vardhanī) on a lotus diagram, priest performing aṅga-wise offerings, subtle aura around vardhanī indicating astra protection.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, richly ornamented kumbha with gold bands, vardhanī with gleaming gold interior, Hari’s presence suggested by conch-disc symbols, astra indicated by radiant emblem, heavy gold work and jewel tones.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clear instructional layout: NE direction marker, labeled vessels, sequence of worship gestures, fine lines and restrained gold.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, interior pavilion with directional carpet pattern, two vessels placed at NE, priest offering flowers, luminous depiction of protective astra as calligraphic radiance above vardhanī."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: कुम्भञ्च → kumbham ca; वर्धन्यामस्त्रमर्चयेत् → vardhanyām astram arcayet.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 34 (kumbha, vardhanī, aṅga-pūjā, astra-vidhi sequences)
FAQs
It teaches a precise worship setup: place the kumbha and vardhanī in the north-east (Īśāna) sector; worship Viṣṇu (Hari) with aṅgas in the kumbha, and worship the protective astra-mantra in the vardhanī for ritual safeguarding.
It preserves procedural micro-details of temple/home worship—directional placement, specialized vessels (kumbha, vardhanī), and mantra-functions (deity-installation vs protective astra)—showing the Purana as a practical manual of ritual technology alongside its broader teachings.
Correct directional placement and worship of Hari coupled with the astra-mantra is meant to sanctify the ritual space, invoke divine presence, and establish protection (rakṣā) against obstacles, thereby increasing purity and the efficacy (siddhi) of the rite.