Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 19
Chapter 23 — पूजाविधिकथनम्
The Account of the Rules of Worship
हृदये विन्यसेद्ध्यात्वा अहं ब्रह्म हरिस्त्विति आगच्छावाहने योज्यं क्षमस्वेति विसर्जने
hṛdaye vinyaseddhyātvā ahaṃ brahma haristviti āgacchāvāhane yojyaṃ kṣamasveti visarjane
ध्यान करून हृदयात असा न्यास करावा—“अहं ब्रह्म; त्वं हरिः (विष्णुः)।” आवाहनात “आगच्छ” आणि विसर्जनात “क्षमस्व” असा प्रयोग करावा.
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Philosophy","practical_application":"Heart-nyāsa with a non-dual identification formula, plus short functional mantras for invocation (āvāhana) and dismissal (visarjana) in pūjā.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Mantra","entry_title":"Hṛdaya-nyāsa and āvāhana/visarjana formulas (ahaṃ brahma—haristvam; āgaccha; kṣamasva)","lookup_keywords":["hṛdaya-nyāsa","ahaṃ brahma","haristvam","āvāhana āgaccha","visarjana kṣamasva"],"quick_summary":"Install the deity in the heart through meditative identification, invite with ‘āgaccha’, and conclude respectfully with ‘kṣamasva’ to dismiss and seek pardon for ritual lapses."}
Concept: Brahman-identity (ahaṃ brahma) integrated with personal devotion (Hari) through ritual: the worshipper internalizes the deity while maintaining devotional etiquette via invitation and forgiveness.
Application: Before external offerings, perform hṛdaya-nyāsa to steady mind; end worship with kṣamā-prārthanā to resolve anxiety about mistakes and close the rite cleanly.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Mantra-nyasa, Avahana, Visarjana)
Primary Rasa: śānta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A devotee meditates with hand on heart (hṛdaya-nyāsa), then gestures inviting the deity (‘āgaccha’), and finally bows with folded hands seeking forgiveness (‘kṣamasva’) at dismissal.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, three-part narrative: yogic devotee touching heart with mantra, deity presence descending as invited, concluding prostration with kṣamā; warm earthy palette, stylized lotus-heart motif","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central Viṣṇu radiant with gold halo, devotee in foreground with hand to heart, then añjali mudrā, gold-leaf emphasis on lotus-heart and divine aura, temple lamps glowing","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional focus on mudrās: heart-touch for nyāsa, beckoning gesture for āvāhana, añjali/prostration for visarjana with kṣamā; clean composition and soft shading","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, intimate interior with prayer rug and shrine, devotee’s expressive gestures (heart-touch, invitation, bow), subtle depiction of divine presence, fine textile and architectural detail"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: विन्यसेद्ध्यात्वा → विन्यसेत् + ध्यात्वा; हरिस्त्विति → हरिः + त्वम् + इति; आगच्छावाहने → आगच्छ + आवाहने.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 23 (nyāsa, āvāhana, visarjana, kṣamā-prārthanā portions)
FAQs
It teaches practical pūjā-vidhi: heart-nyāsa with an identity/union contemplation (“I am Brahman; you are Hari”), plus the specific mantric cues for āvāhana (“āgaccha”) and visarjana (“kṣamasva”).
It exemplifies the Agni Purana’s manual-like coverage of ritual technology—precise operational details of worship (nyāsa, invocation, dismissal)—alongside theology (Brahman–Hari identification), showing its breadth from doctrine to procedure.
The nyāsa and contemplative formula internalize the deity and purify intention, while “kṣamasva” at dismissal frames the rite with humility and atonement for errors, supporting merit (puṇya) and ritual completeness.