Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 16
Chapter 34 — होमादिविधिः
The Procedure for Homa and Related Rites
सपञ्चरत्नवस्त्राढ्यकुम्भे गन्धादिभिर्हरिम् वर्धन्यां हेमगर्भायां यजेदस्त्रञ्च वामतः
sapañcaratnavastrāḍhyakumbhe gandhādibhirharim vardhanyāṃ hemagarbhāyāṃ yajedastrañca vāmataḥ
ପଞ୍ଚରତ୍ନ ଓ ବସ୍ତ୍ରରେ ସମୃଦ୍ଧ କୁମ୍ଭରେ ଗନ୍ଧ ଆଦି ଉପଚାରରେ ହରିଙ୍କୁ ପୂଜା କରିବ। ଏବଂ ହେମଗର୍ଭା ବର୍ଧନୀ ପାତ୍ରରେ ବାମପାର୍ଶ୍ୱରେ ସ୍ଥାପନ କରି ଅସ୍ତ୍ର-ମନ୍ତ୍ରକୁ ମଧ୍ୟ ପୂଜା କରିବ।
Lord Agni (in instruction to the sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purana dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Vaiṣṇava kalasha-arcana with pañcaratna and vastra symbolism; astra-mantra worship in a gold-lined vardhanī placed to the left for protective enclosure and ritual completeness.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Pañcaratna–Vastra-yukta Kumbha Arcana and Hemagarbhā Vardhanī Astra-pūjā (Vāma-sthāna)","lookup_keywords":["pañcaratna","vastra","kumbha-arcana","hemagarbhā-vardhanī","vāma-astra-pūjā"],"quick_summary":"Worship Hari in a kumbha adorned with five gems and cloth using perfumes and offerings; additionally worship the astra-mantra in a gold-lined vardhanī placed on the left to ensure protection and ritual sealing."}
Weapon Type: Astra (protective weapon principle)
Concept: Upacāra (offerings/ornamentation) and rakṣā (protection) are paired: beauty/auspiciousness for the deity-seat and weapon-mantra for safeguarding the rite.
Application: In kalasha-pūjā, enhance the kumbha with auspicious symbols (cloth, gems) while separately establishing protective mantra-support (astra) in its own vessel and correct side placement.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Vaishnava worship and ritual procedure)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A richly decorated kumbha draped with cloth and set with five gems is worshipped with fragrant offerings to Hari; beside it, to the left, stands a gold-lined vardhanī where the astra-mantra is honored as a radiant protective presence.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, ornate kalasha with gem motifs and cloth, priest offering gandha, left-side vardhanī glowing with golden interior, stylized conch-disc symbols for Hari, protective aura for astra.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, heavy gold leaf on the hemagarbhā vardhanī interior and kalasha ornaments, pañcaratna depicted as jewel studs, rich reds/greens, priest with incense and sandal paste, luminous astra emblem.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, refined depiction of ritual objects: gem-set kalasha, cloth drape, left-positioned gold-lined vardhanī, clear instructional composition with delicate gold work.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, close attention to vessels and textiles, gem-studded kalasha, priest applying perfume/sandal, left-side gold-lined sprinkler vessel with radiant calligraphic astra motif, architectural niche backdrop."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Shri","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: गन्धादिभिर्हरिम् → gandhādibhiḥ harim; यजेदस्त्रञ्च → yajet astram ca.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 34 (kalasha-alaṅkāra, gandha-upacāra, astra-vidhi, vāma/dakṣiṇa placement rules)
FAQs
It prescribes a specific Hari-pūjā setup: worship in a kumbha furnished with pañcaratna and cloth, use of a vardhanī vessel with gold within, and the separate worship/placement of the astra (protective weapon-mantra) on the left.
It documents precise liturgical logistics—vessel-types, materials (pañcaratna, cloth, gold), offerings (gandha, etc.), and spatial placement (vāmataḥ)—showing the text’s practical coverage of temple/household ritual technology alongside its many other disciplines.
Correctly arranging the kalasha worship and honoring the astra as protective sacred power is taught as a means to sanctify the rite, invoke auspicious increase (vardhanī), and secure ritual protection while worshipping Hari.