Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 13
Chapter 35: पवित्राधिवासनादिविधिः
Method of Consecrating the Pavitra and Related Rites
वह्निस्थाय ततो दत्वा देवं सम्प्रार्थयेत्ततः क्षीरोदधिमहानागशय्यावस्थितविग्रहः
vahnisthāya tato datvā devaṃ samprārthayettataḥ kṣīrodadhimahānāgaśayyāvasthitavigrahaḥ
त्यानंतर पवित्र अग्नीजवळ उभे राहून अर्पण/दान करून, मग त्या देवाची प्रार्थना करावी—ज्यांचा विग्रह क्षीरसागरातील महानागशय्येवर स्थित आहे.
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purana dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Stotra","secondary_vidya":"Puja-vidhi","practical_application":"Guides the worshipper to pray after offering near the sacred fire, meditating on Viṣṇu’s cosmic form reclining on Ananta in the Milk Ocean—supporting dhyāna during pūjā.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Dhyāna of Viṣṇu on Ananta in the Kṣīroda (Milk Ocean)","lookup_keywords":["vahni","prārthanā","kṣīroda","ananta-śayyā","viṣṇu-dhyāna"],"quick_summary":"After the offering by the sacred fire, pray while visualizing the Lord reclining on the great serpent couch in the Ocean of Milk—an aid to focused devotion."}
Alamkara Type: Rupaka
Concept: External offering culminates in internalization through dhyāna and prārthanā; the cosmic form stabilizes the mind after ritual action.
Application: After homa/offerings, pause for a short visualization-prayer sequence to deepen concentration and devotion.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Deva-prarthana and Vishnu-upasana)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
Type: Cosmic Ocean
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A sacred fire altar in the foreground; the devotee prays while envisioning Viṣṇu reclining on Ananta in the luminous Milk Ocean.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, expansive Kṣīrasāgara with stylized waves, Viṣṇu reclining on multi-hooded Ananta, Lakṣmī near the feet (optional), foreground homa-kunda with flames, devotee in añjali","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central Anantaśayana Viṣṇu with gold ornamentation, pearl-like ocean, ornate halo, small homa altar at bottom, rich jewel tones","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, balanced composition showing ritualist by fire and the meditated cosmic vision above like a thought-form, delicate shading, instructional devotional mood","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed ocean scene with serpent couch, fine textiles and jewelry, devotee near a small fire altar, layered perspective, intricate border"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Kedar","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: वह्निस्थाय = वह्नि-स्थाय (upapada-ktvā); सम्प्रार्थयेत्ततः = सम्प्रार्थयेत् ततः.
Related Themes: Agni Purana sections describing Viṣṇu-dhyāna, avatāra narratives, and pūjā concluding prayers (within adjacent chapters)
FAQs
It prescribes a ritual sequence: stay at/near the consecrated fire (homa), complete the offering (dāna/āhuti), and then perform focused prayer (samprārthanā) to Viṣṇu as Kṣīrodakaśāyī.
It exemplifies the text’s practical ritual manual aspect—linking fire-rite procedure (homa), gifting/offerings (dāna), and sectarian devotional theology (Viṣṇu on Śeṣa in the Milk Ocean) within a single operational instruction.
By coupling offering with sincere prayer, the act is framed as both external sacrifice and internal devotion, traditionally held to purify intention, complete the rite, and direct its merit toward divine grace (anugraha).