Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 30
Chapter 24 — कुण्डनिर्माणादिविधिः
Procedure for Constructing the Fire-pit and Related Rites
प्रणवादिनमोन्तेन पश्चाद्धोमं समाचरेत् गर्भाधानादिकर्माणि यावदंशव्यवस्थया
praṇavādinamontena paścāddhomaṃ samācaret garbhādhānādikarmāṇi yāvadaṃśavyavasthayā
ପ୍ରଣବରେ ଆରମ୍ଭ ହୋଇଥିବା ନମସ୍କାର‑ମନ୍ତ୍ରକୁ ସମାପ୍ତ କରି ପରେ ବିଧିପୂର୍ବକ ହୋମ କରିବ। ଗର୍ଭାଧାନ ଆଦି କର୍ମଗୁଡ଼ିକୁ ନିର୍ଦ୍ଧାରିତ ଅଂଶ‑ବ୍ୟବସ୍ଥା ଓ କ୍ରମ ଅନୁସାରେ କରିବ।
Lord Agni (instructional narration to Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purāṇa’s didactic dialogue style)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Frames the sequence: praṇava-led namo-mantra, then homa; extends the same ritual logic to saṃskāras from garbhādhāna onward, emphasizing correct order and subdivision of rites.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Praṇavādi-namo-mantra Pūrvaka Homa and Saṃskāra-krama (Garbhādhāna-ādi)","lookup_keywords":["praṇavādi","namo-mantra","homa","garbhādhāna","saṃskāra-krama"],"quick_summary":"Begin with a praṇava-led salutation formula, then perform homa; execute life-cycle rites starting from garbhādhāna according to their prescribed parts and sequence."}
Concept: Dharma is enacted through ordered saṃskāras; mantra (praṇava + namas) establishes right intention before action.
Application: When performing saṃskāras, follow the authorized sequence and aṅga-vibhāga; do not improvise order even if shortening.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Samskara-vidhi (Agneya-vidya: Vedic domestic rites and fire ritual procedure)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A domestic ritual sequence: the practitioner recites a praṇava-led namo formula, then offers into fire; in the background, symbolic vignettes of saṃskāras beginning with garbhādhāna arranged in order.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural; central homa with Oṃ motif above, side panels showing garbhādhāna and later saṃskāras as small narrative icons; warm ochres, stylized figures, temple-pavilion setting.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting; central agni with gold halo, the practitioner in reverent pose chanting Oṃ-namo; surrounding medallions depict saṃskāras in sequence, embellished with gold detailing.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style; schematic, instructional layout: top—praṇavādi-namo recitation; middle—homa; bottom—timeline of saṃskāras from garbhādhāna onward with clear captions.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature; refined household courtyard with fire altar; the officiant recites and then offers; small border scenes illustrate successive saṃskāras like a manuscript illumination cycle."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: प्रणवादिनमोन्तेन = प्रणव-आदि-नमः-अन्तेन; पश्चाद्धोमम् = पश्चात् + होमम्; गर्भाधानादिकर्माणि = गर्भाधान-आदि-कर्माणि; यावदंशव्यवस्थया = यावत् + अंश-व्यवस्थया.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 24 (saṃskāra and homa context); Agni Purana 24.31 (endpoints for concluding rites)
FAQs
It prescribes the operational sequence: complete the Oṃ-based salutation/mantra, then perform homa, and execute garbhādhāna and subsequent saṃskāras according to their regulated subdivisions and order.
It exemplifies the Purāṇa’s manual-like coverage of gṛhya (domestic) ritual technology—standardizing mantra usage, homa timing, and the ordered performance of life-cycle sacraments.
By aligning mantra, homa, and saṃskāras with proper sequence and structure, the rite is held to become ritually valid (saṃskṛta), merit-producing, and purificatory for the household and the intended progeny.