Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 22
अध्याय 82 — संस्कारदीक्षाकथनम्
Saṃskāra-Dīkṣā: Consecratory Initiation
स्वाहान्तसंहितमन्त्रैः पात्रेष्वारोप्य पूर्ववत् सम्पादितद्रुतं हुत्वा स्थण्डिलेशाय दर्शयेत्
svāhāntasaṃhitamantraiḥ pātreṣvāropya pūrvavat sampāditadrutaṃ hutvā sthaṇḍileśāya darśayet
Setelah meletakkan persembahan ke dalam bejana sambil melafazkan mantra-mantra yang disertai penutup “svāhā”, lalu—seperti yang telah ditetapkan sebelumnya—mempersembahkan ke dalam api ghee cair yang telah disediakan, hendaklah ia mempersembahkannya kepada Sthaṇḍileśa, Tuhan bagi altar (sthaṇḍila).
Lord Agni (in discourse to sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purāṇa frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Homa procedure: place oblations into vessels while reciting svāhā-ending mantras; offer prepared melted ghee into fire as previously prescribed; then formally present/offer to Sthaṇḍileśa (lord of the altar/maṇḍala).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Homa-prayoga: Svāhā-mantra oblations and offering to Sthaṇḍileśa","lookup_keywords":["homa","svāhā","ghṛta","pātra","sthaṇḍileśa"],"quick_summary":"Oblations are sanctified by svāhā-terminated mantras, placed in proper vessels, and offered as melted ghee into the fire following prior rules. The rite culminates in presenting the offering to the presiding altar-deity (Sthaṇḍileśa)."}
Concept: Kriyā (ritual action) becomes effective through mantra (svāhā) and krama (prescribed sequence), with the altar-deity as the locus of sanctification.
Application: Standardize homa workflow: prepare ghṛta, assign vessels, recite svāhā-mantras per oblation, maintain prior procedural constraints (purity, direction, counts), and conclude with offering/acknowledgment to the presiding altar power.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Agni-hotra & Homa Prayoga / Ritual Procedure)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A homa altar with a square fire-pit, vessels arranged around it, priest pouring melted ghee while chanting svāhā; a subtle presence of Sthaṇḍileśa as a guardian figure or emblem on the altar ground.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, bright fire in a square kuṇḍa, priest in white performing āhuti; pātras neatly placed; stylized svāhā syllables rising with smoke; Sthaṇḍileśa indicated as a small guardian motif on the ritual ground.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting with gold on flames and vessels; priest offering ghṛta with ladle; ornate altar border; divine presence suggested by a gold-embossed emblem labeled Sthaṇḍileśa near the kuṇḍa.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style instructional composition: clear layout of kuṇḍa, pātras, ladle, ghṛta pot; stepwise depiction of placing oblations then offering; calm, precise linework.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed ritual courtyard; priest and assistant; shimmering fire, delicate smoke; vessels and ghee pot rendered with realism; marginal notes-like calligraphy for svāhā."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Hamsadhwani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: स्वाहान्तसंहितमन्त्रैः → स्वाहा-अन्त-संहित-मन्त्रैः. पात्रेष्वारोप्य → पात्रेषु + आरोप्य. स्थण्डिलेशाय → स्थण्डिल-ईशाय.
Related Themes: Agni Purana earlier homa/pūjā procedural rules referenced by 'pūrvavat'; Agni Purana mantra-vidhi sections on svāhā usage
FAQs
It specifies the homa protocol: recite svāhā-ending mantras, place offerings in proper vessels, pour prepared melted ghee into the fire, and complete the rite by formally presenting the offering to Sthaṇḍileśa (the presiding altar-deity).
It preserves a step-by-step ritual manual (prayoga) for fire offerings—covering mantra-usage, implements (vessels), materials (melted ghee), and concluding presentation—showing the Agni Purana’s breadth as a compendium of practical religious procedures.
Correct svāhā-mantra oblations and proper completion rites are taught as means to ensure the offering is ritually “accepted,” supporting purification, merit (puṇya), and the successful fruition of the intended sacrifice.