Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 27
Chapter 21 — सामान्यपूजाकथनम्
Teaching on General Worship
होमात्तिलघृताद्यैश् च धर्मकामार्थमोक्षदाः पूजामन्त्रान् पठेद्यस्तु भुक्तभोगो दिवं व्रजेत्
homāttilaghṛtādyaiś ca dharmakāmārthamokṣadāḥ pūjāmantrān paṭhedyastu bhuktabhogo divaṃ vrajet
ਤਿਲ, ਘਿਉ ਆਦਿ ਨਾਲ ਹੋਮ ਕਰਕੇ ਧਰਮ-ਕਾਮ-ਅਰਥ-ਮੋਖਸ਼ ਦੇਣ ਵਾਲੇ ਪੂਜਾ-ਮੰਤ੍ਰ ਪੜ੍ਹਨੇ ਚਾਹੀਦੇ ਹਨ; ਜੋ ਪੜ੍ਹਦਾ ਹੈ ਉਹ ਧਰਮਸੰਗਤ ਭੋਗ ਭੋਗ ਕੇ ਸਵਰਗ ਨੂੰ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ।
Lord Agni (narrating to sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purāṇa’s instructional dialogue style)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vrata","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Guides homa-linked recitation of pūjā-mantras with specific offerings (tila, ghṛta) to seek the four puruṣārthas; used in household and temple worship sequences.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Homa with Tila-Ghṛta and Recitation of Pūjā-Mantras for Puruṣārthas","lookup_keywords":["homa","tila","ghṛta","pūjā-mantra","dharma-kāma-artha-mokṣa"],"quick_summary":"Perform oblations using sesame, ghee, etc., while reciting worship-mantras regarded as granting the four aims of life; the rite is framed as leading to heavenly attainment after righteous enjoyment."}
Concept: Ritual action (homa + mantra) as a dharmic means to harmonize puruṣārthas and secure post-mortem ascent.
Application: Integrate mantra-recitation with homa offerings (tila/ghṛta) in pūjā to align desires and prosperity with dharma, oriented ultimately toward mokṣa.
Khanda Section: Pūjā-vidhi (Ritual Worship Procedures / Agneya-vidyā)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: shraddha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A homa-kuṇḍa blazing; the officiant offers tila and ghṛta with a ladle while reciting pūjā-mantras; four symbolic emblems (dharma, kāma, artha, mokṣa) appear as subtle motifs around the fire.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, homa scene with square fire-pit, priest offering sesame and ghee, stylized flames, ritual vessels, subdued divine symbols of the four aims in the background, earthy palette","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, bright homa fire with gold highlights, priest and assistants, ornate vessels, gold-leaf accents on flames and ladle, symbolic icons for puruṣārthas in corners","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear procedural depiction: ladle, ghee pot, sesame bowl, mantra-recitation posture, neat composition emphasizing ritual steps","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed yajña setting in a courtyard, fine rendering of utensils and fire, calligraphic mantra scroll near the priest, delicate shading"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: homāt tilaghṛtādyaiḥ = homāt + tila-ghṛta-ādyaiḥ; paṭhedyastu = paṭhet + yaḥ + tu (euphonic combination); bhuktabhogo = bhukta-bhogaḥ (visarga lost in sandhi).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 21 (Pūjā-vidhi: mantra-japa and worship sequences); Agni Purana sections on homa/ācāra (elsewhere in the Purāṇa’s ritual compendium)
FAQs
It prescribes a ritual method: performing homa with specific standard oblations (sesame, ghee, etc.) together with the recitation of pūjā-mantras, emphasizing that mantra-recitation is to be paired with proper offering-materials.
It exemplifies the Agni Purāṇa’s manual-like coverage of practical religion—linking materials (tila, ghṛta), rite (homa), liturgy (pūjā-mantra), and stated results—typical of its broad, instructional compilation across disciplines.
The verse frames pūjā-mantras as granting the four puruṣārthas; ritually supported recitation yields merit leading to svarga, while also situating worship within the broader aim of mokṣa.