Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 15
Chapter 303: Mantras for Worship Beginning with the Five-syllable (Pañcākṣara) — पञ्चाक्षरादिपूजामन्त्राः
ध्मात्वा दिव्यं वपुस्तस्मिन्नात्मानञ्च पुनर्नयेत् कृत्वेवं चात्मशुद्धिः स्याद्विन्यस्यार्चनमारभेत्
dhmātvā divyaṃ vapustasminnātmānañca punarnayet kṛtvevaṃ cātmaśuddhiḥ syādvinyasyārcanamārabhet
ਉਸ (ਧਿਆਨਿਤ ਰੂਪ) ਵਿੱਚ ਦਿਵ੍ਯ ਦੇਹ ਦਾ ਸੰਚਾਰ ਕਰਕੇ ਫਿਰ ਆਤਮਾ ਨੂੰ ਮੁੜ ਉਸੇ ਵਿੱਚ ਪ੍ਰਵੇਸ਼ ਕਰਾਵੇ। ਇਸ ਤਰ੍ਹਾਂ ਆਤਮ-ਸ਼ੁੱਧੀ ਹੁੰਦੀ ਹੈ; ਫਿਰ ਨਿਆਸ ਕਰਕੇ ਅਰਚਨਾ ਆਰੰਭ ਕਰੇ।
Lord Agni (in instruction to sage Vasiṣṭha, Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Ātma-śuddhi and devatā-āveśa visualization preceding nyāsa and arcana in daily/occasional pūjā.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Ātmaśuddhi by Divya-deha-nyāsa before Arcana","lookup_keywords":["ātmaśuddhi","divya-vapu","nyāsa","arcana","pūjā-vidhi"],"quick_summary":"Visualize and infuse a divine body into the contemplated form, re-seat the self into it, thereby completing self-purification; then perform nyāsa and begin worship."}
Concept: Deha-śuddhi and devatā-sāyujya-bhāvanā as prerequisite for effective mantra-nyāsa and pūjā.
Application: Before pūjā, perform internal visualization to shift identity from ordinary body-mind to mantra-deity embodiment, then proceed to external offerings.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Tantric/Agamic worship procedure and nyasa)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A sādhaka seated in āsana, eyes half-closed, visualizing a radiant divine body, then touching limbs in nyāsa before beginning arcana at a small altar.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, flat rich colors, sādhaka in white dhoti performing nyāsa mudrās, glowing divya-deha aura, small pūjā-vedi with lamp and flowers, sacred calm atmosphere.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central sādhaka with stylized halo, gold-leaf highlights on divya-vapu radiance, ornate pūjā items (deepa, kalasha), symmetrical composition, devotional solemnity.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, fine linework showing stepwise nyāsa touches on body, labeled limb points subtly, soft pastel background, instructional yet sacred tone.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed interior shrine room, sādhaka seated on carpet, delicate rendering of hands touching limbs, small altar with incense, subtle luminous aura around body."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: vapustasminn → vapuḥ + tasmin; ātmānañca → ātmānam + ca; punarnayet → punaḥ + nayet; kṛtvevaṃ → kृत्वा + एवम्; cātmaśuddhiḥ → ca + आत्मशुद्धिः; syādvinyasya → syāt + vinya(s)ya; vinyasyārcanamārabhet → vinya(s)ya + arcanam + ārabhet.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 303 (Pūjā-vidhi/nyāsa sequence)
FAQs
It teaches the pre-arcana sequence: ritually vitalize a divine body/form, reintegrate the self into it, accomplish ātma-śuddhi, then perform nyāsa and only afterward begin arcana.
Beyond mythology, it preserves precise, step-by-step ritual technology—visualization, self-purification, and mantra-nyāsa—showing the Agni Purana as a manual of applied worship (pūjā-vidhi) alongside its many other disciplines.
It frames worship as effective only after inner purification and mantra-installation (nyāsa), implying that correct preparatory sanctification aligns the practitioner’s body-mind with the deity and purifies karmic impurity before offering rites.