Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 49
अधिवासनं नाम निर्वाणदीक्षायाम्
Adhivāsana in the Nirvāṇa-dīkṣā
निष्कृत्यैव हृदा पश्चाद् यजेत शतमाहुतीः मलशक्तिनिरोधेन पाशानाञ्च वियोजनं
niṣkṛtyaiva hṛdā paścād yajeta śatamāhutīḥ malaśaktinirodhena pāśānāñca viyojanaṃ
ആദ്യം ഹൃദയത്തിൽ (അന്തരംഗനിശ്ചയത്തോടെ) പ്രായശ്ചിത്തം നിർവഹിച്ചു, തുടർന്ന് നൂറ് ആഹുതികളാൽ യജിക്കണം; മലശക്തി നിയന്ത്രിക്കപ്പെടുമ്പോൾ പാശങ്ങളുടെ വിച്ഛേദം സംഭവിക്കുന്നു।
Lord Agni (in discourse to sage Vasiṣṭha, the standard Agni Purāṇa narration frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Prāyaścitta-oriented homa: internal expiation (hṛdā) followed by a fixed count (100) of oblations to restrain mala-śakti and loosen pāśa.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Hṛdaya-niṣkṛti with śatāhuti homa for mala-śakti-nirodha and pāśa-viyoga","lookup_keywords":["niṣkṛti","hṛdaya","śatāhuti","mala-śakti","pāśa-viyoga"],"quick_summary":"Begin with inward expiation centered in intention/heart, then offer one hundred oblations; the rite is framed as suppressing impurity’s force and effecting release from bonds."}
Concept: Outer ritual efficacy is grounded in inner niṣkṛti (hṛdaya-śuddhi); mala is treated as a power (śakti) that can be checked by disciplined rite.
Application: Pair confession/resolve (inner expiation) with measurable ritual completion (100 āhutis) for expiatory ceremonies.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Homa-prayoga (Ritual expiation and fire-offering procedure)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A practitioner seated before a fire altar, eyes closed in inward expiation, then performing a long sequence of oblations counted to one hundred; a dark haze of impurity is shown being restrained and dispersed.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, meditative priest with hand on heart, homa flames steady, stylized dark cloud (mala) held at bay by circular aura, minimal depth, strong outlines","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, gold-embossed flames and vessels, the heart area of the figure subtly highlighted, a broken noose motif in the background, ornate borders","mysore_prompt":"Mysore, instructional depiction with a mala (rosary) or tally marks indicating 100 offerings, neat altar layout, soft pastel palette","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, intimate interior with detailed brassware, attendant keeping count, smoke rendered as fine wash dispersing a shadowy veil"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"penitential","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: niṣkṛtyaiva = niṣkṛtya + eva; śatamāhutīḥ = śatam + āhutīḥ (dvigu); pāśānāñca = pāśānām + ca.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 84.48 (counted āhuti pattern); Agni Purana 84.50 (weapon-mantra homa as protective extension)
FAQs
It prescribes a prāyaścitta-oriented homa: first an inner act of expiation/resolve (hṛdā), then a fixed count of offerings—one hundred āhutis—as a structured remedial rite.
It exemplifies the text’s practical ritual manual dimension: alongside theology and dharma, the Agni Purāṇa gives operational details (sequence, intent, and count of oblations) for expiatory rites.
By restraining impurity’s force (mala-śakti-nirodha) through disciplined intention and homa, the verse frames ritual as a means to loosen and sever karmic fetters (pāśa), supporting purification and spiritual release.