Agni Purana — Veda-vidhana & Vamsha, Shloka 31
Nīrājana-vidhiḥ
Procedure of Nīrājana / Auspicious Lamp-Waving and Royal Propitiation
शान्तिर् नीराजनाख्येयं वृद्धये रिपुमर्दनी
śāntir nīrājanākhyeyaṃ vṛddhaye ripumardanī
Upacara pendamaian ini hendaklah dikenali sebagai “Nīrājana”; ia membawa kemakmuran dan pertumbuhan, serta menghancurkan musuh.
Lord Agni (in instruction to sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Puja-vidhi","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Performed as nīrājana (ārati-like light-waving/appeasement) for household/royal protection, prosperity, and pacification before journeys, festivals, or after inauspicious events.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Nīrājana-śānti (appeasement rite) and its phala","lookup_keywords":["nīrājana","śānti","ārati","ripu-mardana","vṛddhi"],"quick_summary":"Defines the rite as “Nīrājana” and states its results: growth/prosperity and suppression of hostile forces; used as a protective, auspicious concluding act in pūjā."}
Alamkara Type: Lakṣaṇā/arthavāda (phala-śruti style praise)
Concept: Śānti-kriyā as dhārmika means to restore auspicious order (maṅgala) and remove adversity (ari/śatru-bādha).
Application: Use ritual closure (nīrājana) to seal worship with protective intent; cultivate non-hostility while ritually neutralizing obstacles.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Ritual procedures: ārati, nīrājana, śānti-mantras)
Primary Rasa: śānta
Secondary Rasa: vīra
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A priest performs nīrājana: a lamp with multiple flames is waved in circular motions before the deity/king; attendants hold conch, bell, and incense; the atmosphere is protective and auspicious.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, warm earthy palette, priest in traditional attire waving multi-wick lamp before a sanctum deity, conch and bell bearers, stylized lotus borders, serene protective mood.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central deity/royal figure receiving nīrājana, thick gold foil highlights on lamp flames and ornaments, rich reds and greens, symmetrical composition, auspicious motifs.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, detailed ritual procedure scene: priest’s hand positions, lamp, bell, incense, orderly attendants, soft shading, instructional clarity with traditional elegance.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, court-temple hybrid setting: officiant waving lamp before seated king/deity, fine textiles, delicate flame detailing, architectural arches, attendants in profile, crisp linework."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: शान्तिर् → शान्तिः (visarga before n); नीराजनाख्येयं → नीराजन-आख्येयम् (compound/predicate adjective).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 267 (Nīrājana-vidhi context); Agni Purana pūjā-vidhi sections on ārati/maṅgala/śānti-mantras
FAQs
It identifies the śānti-prayoga specifically as “nīrājana” (a protective waving-of-light rite) and states its intended ritual results: increase/prosperity and the pacification or suppression of hostile forces.
By cataloging a practical, named ritual procedure (nīrājana) along with its stated phala (benefit), it exemplifies the Agni Purana’s manual-like coverage of worship-technology—bridging liturgy, protection rites, and household/temple practice.
As a śānti rite, nīrājana functions as purification and safeguarding—aimed at restoring auspiciousness (śubha) and reducing harm from adverse influences, thereby supporting prosperity and stability in dharmic life.