Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 3
Chapter 301 — सूर्यार्चनं
Sūryārcana) / Sun-worship (closing colophon only
वज्रपद्मधरं शक्रं पीतमावाह्य पूजयेत् नियुतं होमयेदाज्यतिलांस्तेनाभिषेचयेत्
vajrapadmadharaṃ śakraṃ pītamāvāhya pūjayet niyutaṃ homayedājyatilāṃstenābhiṣecayet
ਵਜ੍ਰ ਅਤੇ ਪਦਮ ਧਾਰਨ ਕਰਨ ਵਾਲੇ ਪੀਲੇ ਵਰਣ ਦੇ ਸ਼ਕ੍ਰ (ਇੰਦਰ) ਨੂੰ ਆਵਾਹਨ ਕਰਕੇ ਪੂਜਾ ਕਰੇ। ਫਿਰ ਘਿਉ ਅਤੇ ਤਿਲ ਨਾਲ ਨਿਯੁਤ ਗਿਣਤੀ ਵਿੱਚ ਹੋਮ ਕਰੇ; ਉਸੇ ਨਾਲ ਅਭਿਸੇਕ ਕਰੇ।
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Devatā-āvāhana and pūjā of Indra followed by large-count homa with ghee and sesame, culminating in abhiṣeka for consecration, protection, and auspicious empowerment.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Indra (Śakra) Pūjā–Homa–Abhiṣeka with Ājya and Tila","lookup_keywords":["Śakra āvāhana","vajra-padma-dhara","niyuta homa","ājya tila","abhiṣeka"],"quick_summary":"Invoke Indra as yellow, holding vajra and lotus; worship him, perform a niyuta-count homa with ghee and sesame, then use the rite’s sanctified outcome for abhiṣeka (ritual bathing/consecration)."}
Concept: Ritual sequence (āvāhana → pūjā → homa → abhiṣeka) as a structured means of invoking divine power and transferring sanctity/merit into consecration.
Application: Follow ordered ritual steps; use pure ājya and tila; maintain count-discipline (niyuta) and conclude with abhiṣeka to ‘seal’ the rite’s efficacy.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Devatā-āvāhana, homa, abhiṣeka)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Indra is invoked as a yellow deity holding vajra and lotus; a priest performs homa with ghee and sesame into a fire-altar; afterward, abhiṣeka is performed with sanctified water/substance.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, Indra in pīta-varṇa with vajra and padma, priest at square homa-kuṇḍa offering ājya and tila, abhiṣeka scene with kalasha and flowing water, ornate temple backdrop","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, gold-leaf haloed Indra holding vajra and lotus, richly decorated homa altar, offerings of sesame and ghee, abhiṣeka with golden kalashas and shimmering highlights","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clear instructional panels: (1) āvāhana of Indra (2) homa with ājya+tila (3) abhiṣeka; fine linework, soft palette, labeled ritual implements","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly ritual pavilion, officiant performing fire-offering, attendants holding sesame and ghee vessels, Indra depicted in the sky with vajra and lotus, abhiṣeka with ewers and basins"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Kedar","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ‘पीतमावाह्य’ = ‘पीतम् आवाह्य’; ‘होमयेदाज्यतिलान्’ = ‘होमयेत् आज्यतिलान्’; ‘तેનाभिषेचयेत्’ = ‘तेन अभिषेचयेत्’.
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Pūjā-vidhi and homa-lakṣaṇa chapters; Agni Purana: Abhiṣeka and pratiṣṭhā-related passages (where present)
FAQs
It teaches a compact Śakra-pūjā sequence: āvāhana (invocation), pūjā (worship), homa with ājya and tila in a prescribed count (niyuta), followed by abhiṣeka (ritual consecration).
It exemplifies the Agni Purāṇa’s practical ritual manuals—giving exact deity-iconography (vajra–padma, yellow form), specific oblations (ghee and sesame), and the procedural linkage from homa to abhiṣeka, typical of its wide-ranging liturgical instructions.
By correctly invoking Indra and completing homa and abhiṣeka, the rite is framed as a purificatory and empowering consecration that accrues religious merit and is traditionally sought for protection, strength, and prosperity associated with Śakra.