Agni Purana — Veda-vidhana & Vamsha, Shloka 21
Nīrājana-vidhiḥ
Procedure of Nīrājana / Auspicious Lamp-Waving and Royal Propitiation
पुरोधा जुहुयादाज्यं समित्सिद्धार्थकं तिलाः कुम्भा अष्टौ पूजिताश् च तैः स्नाप्याश्वगजोत्तमाः
purodhā juhuyādājyaṃ samitsiddhārthakaṃ tilāḥ kumbhā aṣṭau pūjitāś ca taiḥ snāpyāśvagajottamāḥ
ਰਾਜ ਪੁਰੋਹਿਤ ਨੂੰ ਅੱਗ ਵਿੱਚ ਘੀ ਦੀ ਆਹੁਤੀ ਦੇਣੀ ਚਾਹੀਦੀ ਹੈ; ਨਾਲ ਸਮਿਧਾਂ, ਸਿੱਧਾਰਥਕ (ਚਿੱਟੀ ਸਰੋਂ) ਅਤੇ ਤਿਲ ਵੀ ਅਰਪਣ ਕਰਨੇ ਚਾਹੀਦੇ ਹਨ। ਅੱਠ ਕੂੰਭਾਂ ਦੀ ਵਿਧੀਪੂਰਵਕ ਪੂਜਾ ਹੋਵੇ; ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਜਲ ਨਾਲ ਉੱਤਮ ਘੋੜਿਆਂ ਅਤੇ ਹਾਥੀਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਰੀਤ ਅਨੁਸਾਰ ਸਨਾਨ ਕਰਾਇਆ ਜਾਵੇ।
Lord Agni (traditionally narrating Agni Purana’s ritual sections to a sage such as Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vrata","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Royal consecratory/auspicious rite: fire-offering with specified dravyas, worship of eight kumbhas, and ritual bathing of state animals (horses, elephants) for purity and success in royal undertakings.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Aajya-homa with aṣṭa-kumbha snāna for aśva-gaja","lookup_keywords":["aajya-homa","aṣṭa-kumbha","siddhārthaka","tila","aśva-gaja-snāna"],"quick_summary":"Offer ghee with samidhs, white mustard, and sesame into fire; worship eight water-pots and use their sanctified water to bathe elite horses and elephants as part of royal auspicious rites."}
Concept: Śuddhi and maṅgala are secured through correctly sequenced dravya-homa and abhiṣeka-like bathing rites.
Application: Follow prescribed ritual materials and vessel-worship to sacralize royal resources (animals/vehicles) before state actions.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Yajna-vidhi (Ritual procedures and consecratory rites)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A royal purohita performs ghee oblations into a blazing altar-fire; eight decorated kumbhas with mango leaves and cloth are arranged; attendants bathe richly caparisoned horses and elephants with sanctified water.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, flat yet vibrant colors, sacred fire-altar with purohita offering ājya, eight ornate kumbhas in a row, caparisoned elephant and horse being bathed, traditional ornaments, ritual purity atmosphere","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-leaf highlights on kumbhas and royal animal ornaments, central homa-kunda with flames, priest with ladle, attendants pouring water over elephant and horse, rich reds and greens, temple-like framing","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, delicate linework, instructional clarity: labeled ritual items (samidh, siddhārthaka, tila), eight kumbhas, priest performing āhuti, animals in profile receiving snāna, calm palette","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed court-ritual scene: priest at fire, trays of sesame and mustard, eight painted water-pots, groom and mahout bathing horse and elephant, fine textiles and architectural backdrop"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: जुहुयादाज्यम् = जुहुयात् + आज्यम्; पूजिताश् च = पूजिताः + च; स्नाप्याश्वगजोत्तमाः = स्नाप्य + अश्वगजोत्तमाः; अश्वगजोत्तमाः समासः (aśva-gaja-uttamāḥ).
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Puja-vidhi/Yajna-vidhi sections on homa-dravya, kumbha-puja, abhiṣeka, śānti-karman
FAQs
It prescribes a specific homa-dravya set (ghee, fuel-sticks, white mustard, sesame) and an eight-kumbha worship followed by ritual bathing (snāna) of elite horses and elephants—i.e., a consecratory/purificatory rite used in royal or temple-linked ceremonies.
Beyond theology, it records operational ritual details—materials, counts (eight kumbhas), officiant role (purodhā), and application to state assets (war/ceremonial animals). This is characteristic of the Agni Purana’s wide scope, blending liturgy with practical royal and institutional procedure.
The homa and kumbha-ablution function as purification and auspicious consecration (śuddhi/maṅgala), intended to remove ritual impurity and secure divine protection and success for the king’s undertakings, including the welfare and efficacy of prized animals.