Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 63
Dīkṣāvidhi-kathana
Explanation of the Rite of Initiation
होमेन शोधयेत् पश्चात्संहारक्रमयोगतः योनिसूत्राणि बद्धानि मुक्त्वा कर्माणि देशिकः
homena śodhayet paścātsaṃhārakramayogataḥ yonisūtrāṇi baddhāni muktvā karmāṇi deśikaḥ
Sesudah itu, guru pemimpin upacara (deśika) hendaklah menyucikan ritus dan peralatannya melalui homa, menurut urutan penutupan/penarikan balik yang benar (saṃhāra-krama); setelah melepaskan ‘benang yoni’ (yonisūtra) yang terikat, hendaklah ia menamatkan segala perbuatan ritual.
Lord Agni (traditionally instructing Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purāṇa’s ritual sections)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Ritual purification and closure after homa: perform saṃhāra-krama (withdrawal sequence), release/untie yoni-sūtras (ritual threads/cords used for binding the rite), and formally conclude actions under the deśika’s supervision.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Homa-śodhana with Saṃhāra-krama and Release of Yoni-sūtras","lookup_keywords":["homa-śodhana","saṃhāra-krama","yoni-sūtra","deśika","karmānta"],"quick_summary":"After the main rite, purify and close by homa according to the withdrawal sequence; release the bound yoni-threads and end the ritual acts in proper order."}
Concept: Saṃhāra (withdrawal) is as essential as sṛṣṭi (invocation/expansion): the rite must be unbound and returned to neutrality through ordered closure.
Application: Include a defined ‘closing protocol’ (saṃhāra-krama, untying/releasing cords, final śodhana) in every initiation/pūjā to prevent procedural incompleteness.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Homa and ritual purification procedures)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A deśika completes a homa, then performs a withdrawal sequence and unbinds ritual yoni-threads from the altar/mandala before concluding the ceremony.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, priestly figure with sacred thread and rudrākṣa/tilaka style appropriate to āgamic ritual, homa-kuṇḍa glowing, cords (sūtras) shown tied around ritual posts being gently released, serene closure mood","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, gold accents on the fire and vessels, deśika untying a red/yellow ritual cord from a post near the kuṇḍa, ornate borders, devotional yet procedural composition","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, diagrammatic clarity: altar, posts, and yoni-sūtra path clearly drawn; deśika shown in a step-by-step closure moment, clean pastel palette","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed pavilion and implements, fine depiction of cords and knots being loosened, attendants holding water pot and ladles, subdued end-of-rite atmosphere"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पश्चात्संहारक्रमयोगतः = पश्चात् + संहारक्रमयोगतः.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 27 (homa, śodhana, saṃhāra/visarjana passages)
FAQs
It teaches the post-homa purification and the correct saṃhāra-krama (ritual closing sequence), including untying/releasing the yoni-sūtras (ritual cords/threads) before formally concluding the remaining ritual acts.
Beyond mythology, the Agni Purāṇa functions as a practical ritual handbook: this verse preserves technical liturgical details—purificatory homa, prescribed closure (saṃhāra), and handling of ritual bindings—showing its coverage of procedural worship and temple/household rites.
Performing purification and proper ritual closure prevents doṣa (ritual fault), seals the intended merit of the rite, and ensures the practitioner exits the sacred operation in an orderly, auspicious, and karmically “clean” manner.