Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 18
Chapter 23 — पूजाविधिकथनम्
The Account of the Rules of Worship
व्यस्तेन च समस्तेन अङ्गैर् वीजेन वै यजेत् जप्त्वा प्रदक्षिणीकृत्य स्तुत्त्वार्ध्यञ्च समर्प्य च
vyastena ca samastena aṅgair vījena vai yajet japtvā pradakṣiṇīkṛtya stuttvārdhyañca samarpya ca
ଅଙ୍ଗମନ୍ତ୍ରଗୁଡ଼ିକୁ ବ୍ୟସ୍ତ ଓ ସମସ୍ତ—ଦୁଇ ରୂପରେ, ଏବଂ ବୀଜମନ୍ତ୍ରଦ୍ୱାରା ମଧ୍ୟ ପୂଜା କରିବ। ଜପ କରି ପ୍ରଦକ୍ଷିଣା କରି, ସ୍ତୁତି କରି, ପରେ ଅର୍ଘ୍ୟ ସମର୍ପଣ କରିବ।
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Perform bīja-based worship with aṅga-mantras in both segmented (vyasta) and combined (samasta) forms, followed by japa, pradakṣiṇā, stuti, and arghya offering—usable as a complete pūjā sequence.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Bīja-aṅga worship sequence: vyasta/samasta aṅga-mantras, japa, pradakṣiṇā, stuti, arghya","lookup_keywords":["bīja mantra","aṅga-nyāsa","vyasta samasta","pradakṣiṇā","arghya-samarpaṇa"],"quick_summary":"Use the seed-mantra with limb-mantras individually and collectively, then complete worship through repetition, circumambulation, praise, and respectful libation."}
Concept: Mantra works through both analytic articulation (vyasta) and synthetic wholeness (samasta); bodily ‘aṅga’ alignment supports mental steadiness culminating in offering and praise.
Application: Structure daily worship: nyāsa → japa → pradakṣiṇā → stuti → arghya, maintaining continuity and completeness.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Mantra-japa, aṅga-nyāsa, pradakṣiṇā, arghya-samarpaṇa)
Primary Rasa: śānta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A practitioner performs aṅga-nyāsa touching limbs with mantra, then sits for japa, rises to circumambulate the shrine, recites stuti, and finally offers arghya in a vessel before the deity.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural sequence panel: priest doing aṅga-nyāsa gestures, then japa with mālā, then pradakṣiṇā around a small shrine, then stuti with folded hands, then arghya offering; bold outlines, temple interior motifs","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, single composite scene: deity on throne with gold halo, devotee in foreground with mālā and arghya-pātra, subtle depiction of pradakṣiṇā path, rich gold embellishment on vessels and ornaments","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style instructional tableau, four-step layout in one frame (nyāsa/japa/pradakṣiṇā/stuti-arghya), clean labels, soft colors, emphasis on hand positions and ritual implements","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, elegant temple-court setting, devotee performing nyāsa and japa, attendants, circular movement implied by repeated figure positions, arghya vessel detailed with reflections, fine architectural borders"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: अङ्गैर् → अङ्गैः (रेफ-श्रुति/विसर्ग-लोप लेखनभेद); स्तुत्त्वार्ध्यञ्च → स्तुत्वा + अर्घ्यम् + च (त्-त् संयोग/लेखनभेद).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 23 (mantra-japa, aṅga-nyāsa, pradakṣiṇā, arghya sections)
FAQs
It teaches a precise worship-sequence: apply/recite aṅga-mantras (individually and collectively) with the bīja, then perform japa, circumambulation (pradakṣiṇā), stuti (praise), and finally offer arghya.
By functioning like a compact ritual manual: it codifies mantric technique (bīja, aṅga usage) and standardized liturgical steps (japa–pradakṣiṇā–stuti–arghya), showing the Agni Purana’s coverage beyond myth into practical religious procedure.
Following the ordered acts of mantra-recitation, reverential movement, praise, and offering is presented as a complete, purifying mode of devotion that properly ‘seals’ worship and accrues religious merit through disciplined, respectful ritual conduct.