Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 7
Chapter 303: Mantras for Worship Beginning with the Five-syllable (Pañcākṣara) — पञ्चाक्षरादिपूजामन्त्राः
निवेद्यैकं परं हुत्वा सशिष्यो ऽन्यद्भजेद्गुरुः आचम्य सकलीकृत्य दद्याच्च्छिष्याय देशिकः
nivedyaikaṃ paraṃ hutvā saśiṣyo 'nyadbhajedguruḥ ācamya sakalīkṛtya dadyāccchiṣyāya deśikaḥ
ਇੱਕ ਭਾਗ ਪਹਿਲਾਂ ਨਿਵੇਦਨ ਕਰੇ, ਫਿਰ ਦੂਜੇ ਭਾਗ ਨੂੰ ਮੁੱਖ ਆਹੁਤੀ ਵਜੋਂ ਅੱਗ ਵਿੱਚ ਹੋਮ ਕਰੇ। ਬਾਕੀ ਭਾਗ ਨੂੰ ਗੁਰੂ ਸ਼ਿਸ਼੍ਯ ਸਮੇਤ ਗ੍ਰਹਣ ਕਰੇ। ਆਚਮਨ ਕਰਕੇ ਅਤੇ ‘ਸਕਲੀਕਰਨ’ ਕਰਕੇ ਦੇਸ਼ਿਕ ਉਹ ਸ਼ਿਸ਼੍ਯ ਨੂੰ ਦੇਵੇ।
Lord Agni (narrating Agni Purana’s ritual procedure to sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Post-homa distribution protocol: offer one portion, oblate one into fire, guru and disciple partake of remainder, then ācamana and sakalīkaraṇa before handing the consecrated remainder to the disciple.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Caru/Prasada Distribution in Diksha-homa (Nivedya–Homa–Bhakshana–Pradana)","lookup_keywords":["nivedya","homa","guru-śiṣya","ācamana","sakalī-kṛtya"],"quick_summary":"The verse codifies how consecrated food/portion is handled: sequential offering, principal oblation, shared partaking, purification by ācamana, and a completion act (sakalīkaraṇa) before the preceptor transmits it to the disciple."}
Concept: Transmission (anugraha) is mediated through disciplined ritual order and guru–śiṣya hierarchy; prasāda becomes a vehicle of śakti when properly completed.
Application: In initiatory rites, follow correct sharing/handing protocol; treat consecrated remainder as empowered substance, not ordinary food.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Diksha, Homa, and Guru–Shishya Ritual Procedure)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A guru and disciple seated near the homa fire: one portion offered, one poured into flames, the remaining portion shared; then the guru performs ācamana and hands the consecrated portion to the disciple.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, homa fire central, guru and disciple in white garments, offering ladle and bowl, gesture of handing prasada, calm sacred palette, lamps and ritual vessels around.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, guru with ornate seat, disciple receiving prasada with folded hands, homa fire glowing with gold highlights, rich decorative borders and gold leaf detailing.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear sequential depiction: offering bowl, ladle into fire, shared eating, ācamana with water pot, final handover; delicate lines and didactic layout.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, intimate ritual scene with detailed utensils, guru handing a small bowl to disciple, fire altar nearby, fine facial expressions and textile patterns."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: निवेद्य + एकम् → निवेद्यैकम्. सशिष्यः + अन्यत् → सशिष्योऽन्यत्. अन्यत् + भजेत् + गुरुः → अन्यद्भजेद्गुरुः (t/d sandhi). दद्यात् + च + शिष्याय → दद्याच्च्छिष्याय (gemination).
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Diksha-vidhi on guru-lakshana, śiṣya-parīkṣā, homa-krama, prasāda/bali handling
FAQs
It teaches the ordered handling of offerings in a homa/initiatory rite: first a presented portion (nivedya), then the main oblation (homa), then regulated sharing/consumption, followed by ācamana and formal transfer of the sanctified remainder to the disciple.
By preserving precise procedural details—sequence of offerings, purity acts, and guru–disciple distribution norms—it functions like a ritual handbook section within the Purana’s wide-ranging compendium of practical disciplines.
The sequence safeguards ritual purity and correct merit-allocation: the principal oblation is offered to the deity/fire first, and only then is the sanctified remainder shared, with ācamana ensuring internal purification before transmitting the consecrated portion to the disciple.