Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 12
Chapter 303: Mantras for Worship Beginning with the Five-syllable (Pañcākṣara) — पञ्चाक्षरादिपूजामन्त्राः
स्नात्वाचम्य मृदा देहं मन्त्रैर् आलिप्य कल्प्यते शिवतीर्थे नरः स्नायादघमर्षणपूर्वकम्
snātvācamya mṛdā dehaṃ mantrair ālipya kalpyate śivatīrthe naraḥ snāyādaghamarṣaṇapūrvakam
ਸਨਾਨ ਕਰਕੇ ਅਤੇ ਆਚਮਨ ਕਰਕੇ, ਮੰਤ੍ਰ ਜਪਦਿਆਂ ਸ਼ੁੱਧ ਕਰਨ ਵਾਲੀ ਮਿੱਟੀ ਨਾਲ ਦੇਹ ਦਾ ਲੇਪ ਕਰਕੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਆਪ ਨੂੰ ਤਿਆਰ ਕਰੇ। ਸ਼ਿਵ-ਤੀਰਥ ਵਿੱਚ ਮਨੁੱਖ ਅਘਮਰਸ਼ਣ ਕਰਮ ਪਹਿਲਾਂ ਕਰਕੇ ਸਨਾਨ ਕਰੇ।
Lord Agni (instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purāṇa’s ritual sections)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vrata","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Purificatory protocol: snāna + ācamana + mṛd-lepana (smearing cleansing clay) with mantras; then bathing at a Śiva-tīrtha preceded by Aghamarṣaṇa for expiation and ritual fitness.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Śiva-tīrtha snāna with Aghamarṣaṇa and mṛd-lepana","lookup_keywords":["snāna","ācamana","mṛd-lepana","Aghamarṣaṇa","Śiva-tīrtha"],"quick_summary":"For purification, bathe and perform ācamana, apply cleansing earth with mantra-recitation, and at a Śiva-tīrtha bathe after Aghamarṣaṇa to dispel sin and restore ritual eligibility."}
Concept: External cleanliness (bahya-śauca) supports internal purification (pāpa-kṣaya) through mantra and rite.
Application: Before worship or vows, follow a consistent purification sequence; treat tīrtha-snāna as a disciplined act, not mere bathing.
Khanda Section: Tirtha-Snana & Prayashchitta (Purification rites and sacred bathing)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
Type: Tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A pilgrim at a Śiva-tīrtha: first applying cleansing clay while murmuring mantras, then performing ācamana, then entering sacred waters after Aghamarṣaṇa recitation; a Śiva shrine or liṅga nearby.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, river/pond ghāṭa with stylized waves, devotee smearing clay, priest reciting, small Śiva-liṅga shrine with lamps, serene dawn palette, sacred purity theme.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gilded Śiva shrine in background, devotee at ghāṭa with brass vessels, white sacred ash accents, gold highlights on lamps and temple ornaments, devotional bathing scene.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clear step-by-step depiction: ācamana with spoon, clay application, then immersion; fine lines, soft colors, instructional composition.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed ghāṭa architecture, pilgrims with water pots, a small Śiva temple, text panel hinting Aghamarṣaṇa, delicate landscape and reflections."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: स्नात्वाचम्य = स्नात्वा + आचम्य; मन्त्रैर् = मन्त्रैः; स्नायादघमर्षणपूर्वकम् = स्नायात् + अघ-मर्षण-पूर्वकम्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 303 (prayāścitta and snāna context)
FAQs
It teaches a precise purification sequence for sacred bathing: snāna → ācamana → mantra-recited cleansing with earth (mṛdā) → bathing at a Śiva-tīrtha, explicitly preceded by the Aghamarṣaṇa sin-dispelling recitation.
By recording practical, step-by-step tīrtha and śauca (purity) procedure—linking mantra, bodily purification media (clay/earth), and a named Vedic-style expiatory rite (Aghamarṣaṇa)—it exemplifies the Agni Purāṇa’s manual-like coverage of ritual disciplines alongside its many other subjects.
The verse frames tīrtha-bathing as effective purification only when preceded by Aghamarṣaṇa and done with proper śauca; the intended result is removal of agha (sin/impurity) and ritual fitness for worship at a Śiva sacred site.