Agni Purana — Veda-vidhana & Vamsha, Shloka 1
Devapūjā, Vaiśvadeva Offering, and Bali (देवपूजावैश्वदेवबलिः)
इत्य् आग्नेये महापुराणे उत्पातशान्तिर्नाम द्विषष्ट्यधिकद्विशततमो ऽध्यायः अथ त्रिषष्ट्यधिकद्विशततमो ऽध्यायः देवपूजावैश्वदेवबलिः पुष्कर उवाच देवपूजादिकं कर्म वक्ष्ये चोत्पातमर्दनम् आपोहिष्टेति तिसृभिः स्नातो ऽर्घ्यं विओष्णवेर्पयेत्
ity āgneye mahāpurāṇe utpātaśāntirnāma dviṣaṣṭyadhikadviśatatamo 'dhyāyaḥ atha triṣaṣṭyadhikadviśatatamo 'dhyāyaḥ devapūjāvaiśvadevabaliḥ puṣkara uvāca devapūjādikaṃ karma vakṣye cotpātamardanam āpohiṣṭeti tisṛbhiḥ snāto 'rghyaṃ vioṣṇaverpayet
अशा प्रकारे अग्नि महापुराणातील ‘उत्पात-शांती’ नावाचा २६२वा अध्याय समाप्त झाला. आता ‘देवपूजा, वैश्वदेव व बलि’ विषयक २६३वा अध्याय सुरू होतो. पुष्कर म्हणाले—“मी देवपूजादी कर्म आणि उत्पात-निवारण सांगतो. ‘आपो हि ष्ठा…’ या तीन ऋचांचा जप करीत स्नान करून, विष्णूस अर्घ्य अर्पण करावे।”
Puṣkara
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"A practical pūjā sequence: purification bath with Vedic mantras, then arghya to Viṣṇu, as a foundational step for devapūjā, vaiśvadeva, bali, and utpāta-śānti.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Devapūjā opening: Āpo hi ṣṭhā bath and arghya to Viṣṇu","lookup_keywords":["devapūjā","vaiśvadeva","bali","āpo hi ṣṭhā","arghya to viṣṇu"],"quick_summary":"Begin the rite by bathing with the three Ṛgvedic verses ‘Āpo hi ṣṭhā…’, then offer arghya to Viṣṇu; this frames subsequent worship and pacification practices."}
Concept: Purification (śauca) and right commencement (ārambha-vidhi) are prerequisites for effective worship and śānti.
Application: Use mantra-guided bathing to steady mind and body, then perform arghya to Viṣṇu as a stabilizing, sattvic opening before further offerings (vaiśvadeva, bali).
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Devapūjā, Vaiśvadeva, Bali, and Utpāta-śānti rites)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: Tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A devotee completes a ritual bath while reciting ‘Āpo hi ṣṭhā…’, then stands before a Viṣṇu shrine offering arghya in a vessel, marking the start of devapūjā and śānti rites.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, riverbank or temple tank bathing scene with mantra-recitation posture, then Viṣṇu shrine with arghya offering, stylized water patterns, traditional ornamented borders, serene palette","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, Viṣṇu as central icon with gold-leaf aura, devotee offering arghya in ornate vessel, attendants with pūjā items, rich textiles, temple backdrop","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, sequential instructional composition: bath with ‘Āpo hi ṣṭhā’ indicated, then arghya to Viṣṇu at altar, clear ritual implements (pātra, kalaśa), soft shading and precision","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed temple tank bathing with priests, then courtyard shrine of Viṣṇu where arghya is offered, fine architectural detail, gentle naturalism, calm devotional narrative"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"purificatory","suggested_raga":"Hamsadhwani","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: इत्य् = इति + (य्-आदेशः); उत्पातशान्तिर्नाम = उत्पात-शान्तिः + नाम; 'अध्यायः' preceded by ’ = अ (avagraha) in IAST; चोत्पातमर्दनम् = च + उत्पात-मर्दनम्; स्नातो ऽर्घ्यं = स्नातः + अर्घ्यम् (visarga elision before vowel); vioṣṇaverpayet is taken as वि + ओष्णवे + अर्पयेत् (text likely intends ‘विष्णवे’/‘विष्णवेऽर्पयेत्’).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 262 (Utpāta-śānti conclusion); Agni Purana 263 (Devapūjā–Vaiśvadeva–Bali procedures)
FAQs
It prescribes a purification sequence: bathe while reciting the three ṛks of the “Āpo hi ṣṭhā” water-hymn, then offer arghya (water oblation) to Viṣṇu as part of devapūjā and as a measure for utpāta-mardana (neutralizing ominous portents).
It shifts from omen-pacification (utpāta-śānti) into a practical ritual handbook section—devapūjā, Vaiśvadeva, and bali—showing the text’s coverage of both apotropaic rites and daily dharma-oriented liturgy.
The water-hymn bath signifies inner and outer purification, while offering arghya to Viṣṇu ritually aligns the practitioner with divine order (ṛta/dharma), aiming to reduce inauspicious influences and secure spiritual merit through correct daily worship.