Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 14
Chapter 34 — होमादिविधिः
The Procedure for Homa and Related Rites
ऐशान्यां दिशि तत्रस्थं स्थाप्यं कुम्भञ्च वर्धनीं कुम्भे साङ्गं हरिं प्रार्च्य वर्धन्यामस्त्रमर्चयेत्
aiśānyāṃ diśi tatrasthaṃ sthāpyaṃ kumbhañca vardhanīṃ kumbhe sāṅgaṃ hariṃ prārcya vardhanyāmastramarcayet
В направлении Ишана (северо-восток) следует поставить там кумбху и сосуд вардхани. Должным образом почтив Хари (Вишну) вместе с его аṅга в кумбхе, следует почтить в вардхани охранительную мантру-оружие (астра).
Lord Agni (instructing sage Vasiṣṭha in ritual procedure)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Directional placement (Īśāna) of kumbha and vardhanī; perform aṅga-sahita Hari-arcana in the kumbha and astra-mantra worship in the vardhanī for protective sealing of the rite.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Īśāna-sthāna Kumbha–Vardhanī Sthāpana; Hari-aṅga Pūjā and Astra-arcana","lookup_keywords":["īśāna-dik","kumbha-sthāpana","vardhanī","hari-sāṅga-arcana","astra-pūjā"],"quick_summary":"Place kumbha and vardhanī in the north-east; worship Hari with His aṅgas in the kumbha, and worship the protective astra-mantra in the vardhanī to secure the ritual field."}
Weapon Type: Astra (mantric protective weapon principle)
Concept: Ritual space is energized through ordered placement (dik-krama) and layered worship (deity + aṅgas + protective astra).
Application: When performing Vaiṣṇava/Tantric pūjā, separate the main deity-seat (kumbha) from the protective implement (vardhanī with astra) to maintain clarity of functions: grace vs. guarding.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Tantric/Vaishnava ritual installation and worship directions)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: Sacred-direction
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"In the north-east corner of a ritual hall, a kumbha and a vardhanī are set; the priest offers gandha and flowers to Hari invoked in the kumbha, then turns to the vardhanī to worship the astra-mantra as a protective force.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, NE corner emphasized with auspicious motifs, two vessels (kumbha and vardhanī) on a lotus diagram, priest performing aṅga-wise offerings, subtle aura around vardhanī indicating astra protection.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, richly ornamented kumbha with gold bands, vardhanī with gleaming gold interior, Hari’s presence suggested by conch-disc symbols, astra indicated by radiant emblem, heavy gold work and jewel tones.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clear instructional layout: NE direction marker, labeled vessels, sequence of worship gestures, fine lines and restrained gold.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, interior pavilion with directional carpet pattern, two vessels placed at NE, priest offering flowers, luminous depiction of protective astra as calligraphic radiance above vardhanī."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: कुम्भञ्च → kumbham ca; वर्धन्यामस्त्रमर्चयेत् → vardhanyām astram arcayet.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 34 (kumbha, vardhanī, aṅga-pūjā, astra-vidhi sequences)
FAQs
It teaches a precise worship setup: place the kumbha and vardhanī in the north-east (Īśāna) sector; worship Viṣṇu (Hari) with aṅgas in the kumbha, and worship the protective astra-mantra in the vardhanī for ritual safeguarding.
It preserves procedural micro-details of temple/home worship—directional placement, specialized vessels (kumbha, vardhanī), and mantra-functions (deity-installation vs protective astra)—showing the Purana as a practical manual of ritual technology alongside its broader teachings.
Correct directional placement and worship of Hari coupled with the astra-mantra is meant to sanctify the ritual space, invoke divine presence, and establish protection (rakṣā) against obstacles, thereby increasing purity and the efficacy (siddhi) of the rite.