Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 31
Chapter 34 — होमादिविधिः
The Procedure for Homa and Related Rites
चरुञ्च श्रपयेदग्नौ ब्रह्माणं दक्षिणे न्यसेत् कुशानास्तीर्य पूर्वादौ परिधीन् स्थापयेत्ततः
caruñca śrapayedagnau brahmāṇaṃ dakṣiṇe nyaset kuśānāstīrya pūrvādau paridhīn sthāpayettataḥ
Следует варить caru (жертвенную кашу) на огне; и посадить жреца Brahmā на южной стороне. Расстелив траву kuśa, начиная с востока, затем устанавливают на своих местах ограждающие поленья (paridhi).
Lord Agni (teaching the ritual procedure to sage Vasiṣṭha, as per the common Agni Purana dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vrata","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Covers core homa operations: cooking caru in the fire, seating/placing the Brahmā priest to the south, laying kuśa from the east, and installing paridhis—ensuring correct officiant positions and altar boundaries.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Caru-pāka, Brahmā-pratiṣṭhā, kuśāstaraṇa and paridhi-sthāpana","lookup_keywords":["caru śrapaṇa","brahmā dakṣiṇe","kuśāstaraṇa","paridhi-sthāpana","homa-vidhi"],"quick_summary":"Cook the sacrificial caru in Agni, position the Brahmā priest on the southern side, spread kuśa beginning from the east, and then place the paridhi sticks to define and protect the fire-space."}
Concept: Yajña is a dharmic act requiring correct roles (ṛtvij order), directions, and consecrated boundaries around Agni.
Application: In group ritual, assign roles and seating directions beforehand; treat paridhi/kuśa steps as non-optional safeguards for sanctity and procedural integrity.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Homa / Agni-karya)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A homa in progress: caru pot heating over the fire, the Brahmā priest seated to the south, kuśa grass spread starting from the east, and three paridhi sticks placed around the fire as a protective enclosure.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, vivid agni with stylized flames, caru vessel over fire, Brahmā priest seated on southern side, kuśa mat laid from east, paridhi sticks forming a neat boundary, temple-like interior framing.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting with gold on flames and vessels, Brahmā priest prominently seated to the south, caru cooking scene, paridhi sticks arranged around agni, rich ornamentation and symmetrical balance.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear instructional depiction: positions of priests, kuśa spread direction, paridhi placement around fire, caru pot simmering; fine lines and gentle colors.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed yajña gathering: one priest tending caru, Brahmā seated south, attendants placing kuśa and paridhi; intricate textiles, realistic vessels, architectural pavilion."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: चरुम् + च → चरुञ्च; श्रपयेत् + अग्नौ → श्रपयेदग्नौ; कुशान् + आस्तीर्य → कुशानास्तीर्य; पूर्वादौ = पूर्व-आदौ (अव्ययीभाव).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 34 (caru/homa sequence; paridhi and kuśa handling)
FAQs
It gives practical homa-setup instructions: cooking the caru offering, seating/appointing the Brahmā (overseer priest) to the south, spreading kuśa grass from the east, and placing the paridhis (enclosing sticks) around the fire.
Beyond mythology, the Agni Purana preserves precise liturgical engineering—roles of priests, directional placements, and material arrangements—showing it as a manual of ritual technology alongside its many other disciplines.
Correct preparation and placement (materials, directions, and officiant roles) is treated as essential for ritual purity and efficacy, ensuring the offering is properly conveyed to the deities through Agni and yielding the intended merit (puṇya).