Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 40
Chapter 34 — होमादिविधिः
The Procedure for Homa and Related Rites
व्याहृत्या पद्ममध्यस्थं ध्यायेद्वह्निन्तु संस्कृतम् वैष्णवं सप्तजिह्वं च सूर्यकोटिसमप्रभम्
vyāhṛtyā padmamadhyasthaṃ dhyāyedvahnintu saṃskṛtam vaiṣṇavaṃ saptajihvaṃ ca sūryakoṭisamaprabham
ਵਿਆਹ੍ਰਿਤੀਆਂ ਉਚਾਰ ਕੇ, ਕਮਲ ਦੇ ਮੱਧ ਵਿੱਚ ਸਥਿਤ ਸੰਸਕ੍ਰਿਤ ਅਗਨੀ ਦਾ ਧਿਆਨ ਕਰੇ—ਜੋ ਵੈਸ਼ਣਵ-ਸਵਰੂਪ, ਸਪਤਜਿਹਵਾ ਅਤੇ ਕਰੋੜਾਂ ਸੂਰਜਾਂ ਵਰਗੀ ਪ੍ਰਭਾ ਵਾਲਾ ਹੈ।
Lord Agni (instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purana dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Agni-dhyāna for homa: after vyāhṛti utterance, visualize consecrated Vaishnava Fire seated in a lotus, seven-tongued, with immense solar radiance—used to ‘install’ the devatā in the flame before offerings.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Vaiṣṇava Agni-dhyāna: Lotus-seated, Seven-tongued, Koṭi-sūrya-prabhā","lookup_keywords":["agni-dhyana","vyahriti","vaishnava-agni","sapta-jihva","koti-surya-prabha"],"quick_summary":"Invoke the vyāhṛtis and meditate on the sanctified Fire as Vaishnava, dwelling in a lotus center, seven-tongued and blazing like countless suns; this visualization empowers the homa as a deity-centered rite."}
Alamkara Type: Atiśayokti
Concept: Dhyāna as saṃskāra: the deity-form of Fire is established by mantra (vyāhṛti) and visualization, transforming physical flame into a conscious ritual locus.
Application: Before offerings, hold a steady inner image of lotus-seated, seven-tongued Agni to intensify attention and perceived sanctity of the rite.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Agni-dhyana (Fire-meditation within Vaishnava-tantric ritual context)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A blazing consecrated fire rising from a lotus at the altar’s center; seven distinct flame-tongues; the entire scene flooded with sun-like brilliance as the priest chants vyāhṛtis in a Vaishnava ritual setting.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, central lotus with Agni-flames emerging, seven flame tongues clearly separated, intense yet stylized radiance, priest chanting vyāhṛtis, Vaishnava symbols subtly present, saturated reds and ochres","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, lotus and flames with heavy gold leaf, seven tongues highlighted in gold, halo like many suns, devotional composition with ornate borders","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, refined linework: lotus-centered fire diagram, seven tongues labeled, priest in calm posture chanting vyāhṛtis, luminous gradient suggesting koṭi-sūrya radiance","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, dramatic light effects: lotus at center, seven flame tongues, surrounding figures shaded by intense glow, delicate architectural background, calligraphic vyāhṛti band"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Hamsadhwani","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ध्यायेत्+वह्निम्→ध्यायेद्वह्निम्; वह्निम्+तु→वह्निन्तु; पद्ममध्यस्थम्=पद्म+मध्यस्थम्; सप्तजिह्वम्=सप्त+जिह्वम्; सूर्यकोटिसमप्रभम्=सूर्य+कोटि+सम+प्रभम्
Related Themes: Agni Purana 34 (Agni-dhyāna, vyāhṛti usage, homa consecration)
FAQs
It teaches a specific dhyāna-krama (meditative procedure) for ritual fire: after reciting the vyāhṛtis, visualize the saṃskṛta (consecrated) Agni in a lotus-center form, marked by seven flames and immense solar radiance.
Beyond mythology, it preserves applied liturgical technology—mantra sequencing (vyāhṛti), iconographic visualization (lotus-seat), and doctrinal mapping (Vaiṣṇava quality of Agni)—showing the text’s coverage of practical worship-science alongside broader puranic subjects.
Meditating on Agni as consecrated and Vaiṣṇava-pure is intended to refine the worshipper’s intention, purify the rite, and align the sacrifice/puja with sattvic preservation-energy, thereby supporting inner cleansing and merit (puṇya) through correctly formed contemplation.