Agni Purana — Veda-vidhana & Vamsha, Shloka 13
Vināyaka-snāna (The Vinayaka Bath) — Obstacle-Removal and Consecratory Bathing Rite
हस्तपुष्याश्वयुक्सौम्यवैष्णवेषु शुभेषु चेति घ , ञ च साज्येनासादितस्य चेति क , छ च इमा आप इति छ , ञ स्नातस्य सार्षपन्तैलं श्रुवेणौडुम्बरेण च जुहुयान्मूर्धनि कुशान् सव्येन परिगृह्य च
hastapuṣyāśvayuksaumyavaiṣṇaveṣu śubheṣu ceti gha , ña ca sājyenāsāditasya ceti ka , cha ca imā āpa iti cha , ña snātasya sārṣapantailaṃ śruveṇauḍumbareṇa ca juhuyānmūrdhani kuśān savyena parigṛhya ca
हस्त, पुष्य, अश्वयुज, सौम्य व वैष्णव इत्यादी शुभ नक्षत्र/अवसरांत, स्नानानंतर ‘इमा आपः…’ इत्यादी निर्दिष्ट मंत्र म्हणत, औदुंबर-लाकडाच्या श्रुवा (हवन-पळी) ने मोहरीचे तेल आहुती द्यावी. तसेच डाव्या हाताने मस्तकावर कुश धारण करून कर्म करावे.
Lord Agni (narrating ritual procedure in the Agni Purana)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vrata","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Snāna-homa prayoga: choose auspicious nakṣatra/day markers, bathe, then offer sarṣapa-taila oblations with an udumbara-śruva while holding kuśa on the head and reciting specified mantras (e.g., 'imā āpaḥ').","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Snāna-Homa with Sarṣapa Taila using Udumbara Śruva on Auspicious Nakṣatras","lookup_keywords":["snāna-homa","sarṣapa-taila","udumbara-śruva","kuśa","imā āpaḥ"],"quick_summary":"On selected auspicious times, perform bath then homa with mustard oil using an udumbara ladle, maintaining kuśa on the head and reciting water-purification mantras for śānti and protection."}
Dosha: Vata
Concept: Kāla (auspicious timing) + śuddhi (snāna) + agni-kriyā (homa) as a combined technology for śānti and siddhi in rites.
Application: Plan rites by auspicious markers; keep implements (udumbara ladle, kuśa) and mantra sequence fixed to preserve prayoga integrity.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Snana-homa-prayoga (Ritual procedures: bath, auspicious timings, oblations)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"After bathing, a practitioner performs a small homa, pouring mustard oil with an udumbara-wood ladle into the fire, holding kuśa on the head with the left hand, reciting 'imā āpaḥ' and related formulas; auspicious nakṣatra symbols appear as a calendar motif.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, homa-kunda with bright stylized flames, priest holding udumbara ladle, kuśa on head, water pot nearby, faint nakshatra symbols (Hasta, Pushya, Ashvayuj) in border, earthy palette and temple ambience","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central homa fire with gold leaf flames, udumbara ladle and mustard oil vessel highlighted, priest with kuśa on head, ornate arch and lotus motifs, calendar-like nakshatra medallions around frame","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional layout: bath scene vignette leading to homa scene, clear depiction of udumbara śruva, kuśa placement, mantra scroll 'imā āpaḥ', soft colors and precise ritual implements","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtyard homa with detailed utensils, attendant holding oil pot, priest with kuśa, small panel showing starry nakshatra chart, fine linework and patterned textiles"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shuddha Dhanyasi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: हस्तपुष्याश्वयुक्सौम्यवैष्णवेषु = (dvandva compound) + -एषु; साज्येनासादितस्य = साज्येन + आसादितस्य; इमा आपः = इमाः + आपः; श्रुवेणौडुम्बरेण = श्रुवेण + औडुम्बरेण; (घ/ञ/क/छ etc. are treated as recitation/phoneme markers as transmitted).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 265 (snāna, homa, mantra lists; rakṣā rites)
FAQs
It teaches a specific purification-and-homa prayoga: after bathing, offer mustard oil into the fire using an udumbara-wood ladle, while holding kuśa on the head with the left hand and reciting the prescribed mantras (including “imā āpaḥ…”), preferably at auspicious times (Hasta, Puṣya, etc.).
It preserves a practical ritual micro-protocol—timing (nakṣatra/auspicious markers), materials (mustard oil, udumbara ladle, kuśa), bodily posture/handling, and mantra-incorporation—showing the Agni Purana’s manual-like coverage of applied religious technology alongside broader theology.
The sequence links bodily purification (snāna), mantra-purification (water mantra), and fire-offering (homa) into a single expiatory/auspicious act intended to remove impurity and secure śubha-phala (beneficial results) through correctly timed and correctly performed rite.