Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 19
Worship of Gaurī and Others (Gauryādi-pūjā) — Mantra, Maṇḍala, Mudrā, Homa, and Mṛtyuñjaya Kalaśa-Rite
बलिन्दत्वा कुमारीश् च तिस्रो वा चाष्ट भोजयेत् नैवेद्यं शिवभक्तेषु दद्यान्न स्वयमाचरेत्
balindatvā kumārīś ca tisro vā cāṣṭa bhojayet naivedyaṃ śivabhakteṣu dadyānna svayamācaret
ਪਹਿਲਾਂ ਬਲੀ ਅਰਪਣ ਕਰਕੇ ਤਿੰਨ ਜਾਂ ਅੱਠ ਕੁਆਰੀਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਭੋਜਨ ਕਰਾਵੇ। ਨੈਵੇਦ੍ਯ ਸ਼ਿਵ-ਭਗਤਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਵੰਡੇ ਅਤੇ ਆਪ ਨਾ ਖਾਏ।
Lord Agni (instructional narration to the sage Vasiṣṭha, as typical in the Agni Purāṇa’s ritual chapters)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Ritual discipline around bali, kanyā-bhojana, and naivedya distribution: feed 3 or 8 maidens, give naivedya to Śiva-bhaktas, and abstain from consuming it oneself.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Bali, kanyā-bhojana (3 or 8), and naivedya-vitarana for Śiva worship","lookup_keywords":["bali","kumārī-bhojana","trayaḥ","aṣṭa","naivedya-tyāga"],"quick_summary":"After bali, feed three or eight young maidens; distribute the consecrated food to Śiva’s devotees and do not eat it yourself—emphasizing offering, charity, and ritual purity."}
Concept: Naivedya is for deity and community (bhakta-saṅgha), not personal enjoyment; merit accrues through dāna and self-restraint.
Application: Plan offerings with a distribution protocol: prioritize dependents/maidens and devotees; keep the performer’s consumption separate from consecrated allotments when enjoined.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Shaiva ritual procedure and offerings)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A Śaiva worship setting: bali placed first, then three or eight young maidens seated to be fed; naivedya is portioned and handed to Śiva devotees while the officiant refrains from eating.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, Śiva shrine backdrop with lamp-lit sanctum, bali offering near threshold, rows of kumārīs receiving food on banana leaves, devotees with vibhūti markings receiving prasāda, calm devotional palette","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style with gold accents on Śiva’s shrine and vessels, kumārīs seated symmetrically, prasāda distribution scene, ornate borders, emphasis on auspicious hospitality","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear instructional composition: sequence panels—bali first, then kanyā-bhojana (3 or 8), then naivedya distribution to Śiva-bhaktas; fine detailing of serving implements","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, refined dining scene with ritual context, attendants serving, devotees identifiable by ash stripes, careful depiction of portions and etiquette, architectural interior with shrine niche"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: बलिन्दत्वा → बलिम् दत्वा; कुमारीश् → कुमारीः; चाष्ट → च अष्ट; दद्यान्न → दद्यात् न
Related Themes: Agni Purana 325 (bali-vidhi, bhojana-niyama, naivedya rules)
FAQs
It prescribes a Śaiva worship sequence: offer bali first, then perform a meritorious feeding (bhojana) of 3 or 8 kumārīs, and distribute the consecrated naivedya to Śiva’s devotees rather than consuming it personally.
Beyond mythology, the Agni Purāṇa functions as a practical ritual manual; this verse gives operational rules for offerings, recipient selection (kumārīs, Śiva-bhaktas), and handling of consecrated food—typical of its wide-ranging, procedural dharma and pūjā-vidhi content.
Feeding ritually pure recipients and distributing naivedya to devotees converts the offering into dāna and service (sevā), enhancing merit (puṇya) and reinforcing devotional humility by restraining personal enjoyment of the consecrated offering.