Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 26
Chapter 24 — कुण्डनिर्माणादिविधिः
Procedure for Constructing the Fire-pit and Related Rites
आज्यस्थालीमथाज्येन सम्पूर्याग्रे निधाय च सम्प्लवोत्पवनाभ्यान्तु कुर्यादाज्यस्य संस्कृतिं
ājyasthālīmathājyena sampūryāgre nidhāya ca samplavotpavanābhyāntu kuryādājyasya saṃskṛtiṃ
नंतर आज्याने आज्यस्थाली भरून ती समोर ठेवावी, आणि ‘सम्प्लव’ व ‘उत्पवन’ या दोन क्रियांद्वारे आज्याचा संस्कार करावा।
Lord Agni (in instruction to the sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Puja-vidhi","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Gives the operational step for preparing ājya (ghee) for homa by placing the filled vessel before the fire and performing the two named saṃskāras (samplava, utpavana) to render it ritually fit.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Ājya-saṃskāra by Samplava and Utpavana","lookup_keywords":["ājya-saṃskāra","samplava","utpavana","ājya-sthālī","homa-ghṛta"],"quick_summary":"Fill the ghee-vessel, place it before the fire, and consecrate the ghee through the paired preparatory acts called samplava and utpavana prior to offering."}
Concept: Saṃskāra transforms a common substance (ghee) into a yajñīya dravya through prescribed acts and intention.
Application: Perform the named preparatory operations consistently before homa to avoid offering unprepared dravya.
Khanda Section: Pūjā-vidhi / Homa-prakaraṇa (Agneya-vidhi: ritual procedure and consecration of offerings)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ghee vessel is filled and set before the fire; the priest performs two distinct consecratory gestures over the ghee (samplava and utpavana) as part of ājya preparation.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, bronze ājya-sthālī brimming with ghee, placed near bright agni, priest’s hands making two successive ritual gestures over the vessel, minimalistic sacred geometry on the floor.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gleaming ghee vessel with gold highlights, agni central, priest performing consecration gestures, rich ornamentation and gold leaf to emphasize sanctified ājya.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clear two-step depiction labeled ‘samplava’ and ‘utpavana’, priest’s hand positions differentiated, vessel placement before agni, instructional clarity.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, close attention to reflective ghee surface, priest leaning forward performing precise gestures, firelight illuminating the scene, fine textile and vessel detailing."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Hamsadhwani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: आज्यस्थालीमथ = आज्य-स्थालीम् + अथ; सम्पूर्याग्रे = सम्पूर्य + अग्रे; सम्प्लवोत्पवनाभ्याम् = सम्प्लव + उत्पवनाभ्याम्; कुर्यादाज्यस्य = कुर्यात् + आज्यस्य.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 24 (homa dravya preparation sequence)
FAQs
It gives a procedural step in homa: fill the ājya-vessel with ghee, place it before the fire/altar, and ritually consecrate the ghee using the two prescribed operations called samplava and utpavana.
Beyond myth and theology, the Agni Purāṇa functions as a practical manual: it preserves specialized liturgical vocabulary and step-by-step ritual technique for preparing oblations, showing its coverage of applied ritual science (pūjā/homa-vidhi).
Consecrating the ghee ensures the offering is ritually fit (saṃskṛta) for Agni; such correctness is traditionally held to support the efficacy (phala) of the rite and the purity/merit (puṇya) gained from oblations.