Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 4
Śrāddha-kalpa-kathana
Exposition of the Śrāddha Procedure
आवाहयेदनुज्ञातो विश्वे देवास इत्य् ऋचा यवैरन्ववकीर्याथ भाजने सपवित्रके
āvāhayedanujñāto viśve devāsa ity ṛcā yavairanvavakīryātha bhājane sapavitrake
അനുമതി ലഭിച്ച ശേഷം ‘വിശ്വേ ദേവാസഃ…’ എന്നാരംഭിക്കുന്ന ഋച പാരായണം ചെയ്ത് ദേവന്മാരെ ആവാഹനം ചെയ്യണം. തുടർന്ന് പവിത്രം (കുശവളയം) ഉള്ള പാത്രത്തിൽ യവധാന്യം ചുറ്റും വിതറണം.
Lord Agni (in the Agni Purana’s primary narration to Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vrata","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Deva-āvāhana in pūjā/homa: invoke Viśve Devāḥ with the specified Ṛg-mantra and ritually mark/sanctify the offering-space by paryavakīraṇa (scattering) of yava in a pavitra-equipped vessel.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Deva-āvāhana with “Viśve devāsaḥ” and yava-paryavakīraṇa","lookup_keywords":["āvāhana","Viśve devāsaḥ","yava","pavitra","paryavakīraṇa"],"quick_summary":"After obtaining ritual permission (anujñā), invoke the deities using the Ṛg-vedic “Viśve devāsaḥ…” and scatter barley grains from a pavitra-furnished vessel to consecrate the rite-space."}
Concept: Mantra and dravya (substance) together effect āvāhana and saṃskāra of the ritual field; anujñā signals alignment with devatā and rite.
Application: In daily/occasional pūjā, do not begin āvāhana without anujñā; use prescribed mantra and pure vessel with pavitra for offerings.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Deva-āvāhana and Homa/Upacāra procedures)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritualist seated at a vedi invokes the Viśve Devāḥ, holding a small vessel with a kuśa-pavitra ring; barley grains are being scattered in a consecrating circle around the offering area.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, warm earthy palette, priest in white dhoti near a small vedi, subtle depiction of Viśve Devāḥ as radiant presences, kuśa-pavitra ring on vessel, barley grains scattering in arcs, sacred calm atmosphere","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central priest at vedi with ornate arch, gold leaf highlights on ritual vessels and haloed divine presence, detailed pavitra ring, stylized barley grains, rich reds and greens","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, fine line work showing step-by-step āvāhana, labeled ritual items (pātra, pavitra, yava), soft pastel background, instructional composition","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly precision, priest and assistants around a small fire-altar, delicate rendering of grains scattering, patterned textiles, minimal divine forms as luminous clouds"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: इत्य् ऋचा = इति + ऋचा; यवैरन्ववकीर्याथ = यवैः + अन्ववकीर्य + अथ; सपवित्रके = स + पवित्रके (समास/योग).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 163 (Pūjā-vidhi sequence: anujñā, āvāhana, upacāra, homa); Agni Purana sections on homa-dravya and pavitra usage
FAQs
It teaches the formal method of devatā-āvāhana: obtain ritual permission, invoke using a specific Ṛgvedic ṛc (for the Viśve Devāḥ), and perform sanctifying strewing/sprinkling with barley using a properly prepared vessel with a pavitra.
It preserves precise, procedural liturgy—mantra-selection, authorized sequence, and ritual implements (yava, pavitra, bhājana)—showing the text’s practical coverage of temple/household worship alongside its many other disciplines.
Correct invocation with Vedic mantra and purified implements is held to ensure deity-presence (āvāhana) and ritual purity, supporting merit (puṇya) and removal of obstacles through properly ordered worship.