Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 13
Chapter 23 — पूजाविधिकथनम्
The Account of the Rules of Worship
पूर्वं स्वहृदये ध्यात्वा आवाह्यार्चैश् च मण्डले अर्घ्यं पाद्यं तथाचामं मधुपर्कं पुनश् च तत्
pūrvaṃ svahṛdaye dhyātvā āvāhyārcaiś ca maṇḍale arghyaṃ pādyaṃ tathācāmaṃ madhuparkaṃ punaś ca tat
पूर्वं स्वहृदये देवं ध्यात्वा मण्डले आवाह्य अर्चयेत्। ततः अर्घ्यं पाद्यं तथाचामं मधुपर्कं च समर्पयेत्, पुनश्च तद्वत्॥
Lord Agni (teaching ritual procedure to the sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purāṇa’s instructional frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Standard pūjā sequence: internal heart-dhyāna → āvāhana into maṇḍala → arghya, pādya, ācāmana, madhuparka offerings, repeated as per rule; used for consistent deity hospitality (upacāra) in ritual worship.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Āvāhana and upacāra offerings in maṇḍala-pūjā","lookup_keywords":["avahana","mandala-arcana","arghya","padya","achamana","madhuparka"],"quick_summary":"Begin with inner visualization of the deity in the heart, invoke into the maṇḍala, then offer arghya, pādya, ācāmana, and madhuparka in the prescribed order (with repetition where required)."}
Concept: Deity worship mirrors ideal guest-reception: purity, invitation, and respectful offerings; inner dhyāna precedes outer action.
Application: Before any external pūjā, do brief hṛd-dhyāna to reduce distraction; then keep a fixed upacāra order to avoid omissions.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Deva-ārcana and āvāhana in maṇḍala)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A sādhaka seated before a drawn maṇḍala, eyes closed in heart-meditation, then offering vessels in sequence: arghya pot, foot-water bowl, sipping-water cup, and madhuparka bowl, arranged neatly on a ritual tray.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: priest before a geometric maṇḍala, stylized vessels labeled arghya/pādya/ācāmana/madhuparka, subdued devotional palette, calm facial expressions","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: deity presence implied by radiant aura over maṇḍala, gold-highlighted offering vessels, ornate tray, rich textiles, temple lamp flames","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: clear instructional composition showing the four offerings in order with hand gestures, fine detailing of utensils and water-pouring","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: refined interior with carpeted floor, painted maṇḍala, attendant bringing madhuparka, delicate bowls and ewers, precise perspective"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: स्वहृदये = स्व + हृदये; आवाह्यार्चैश् = आवाह्य + अर्चैः (अर्चैः + च → अर्चैश् च); तथाचामम् = तथा + आचामम्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 23 (pūjā-vidhi: āvāhana, upacāra lists, maṇḍala worship)
FAQs
It teaches the procedural order of deity-worship: internal meditation (hṛdaya-dhyāna), invocation (āvāhana) into the worship-space/maṇḍala, followed by standard upacāras—arghya, pādya, ācāmana, and madhuparka—as formal offerings of reception and purification.
By codifying a precise, repeatable pūjā-sequence with technical upacāra terminology (āvāhana, arghya, ācāmana, madhuparka), it functions like a ritual manual embedded within the Purāṇa—one of the text’s hallmark encyclopedic features.
The verse links inner contemplation with outer ritual correctness: meditating on the deity in the heart and then offering purificatory and honorific upacāras is presented as a disciplined way to sanctify the worshipper and properly “receive” the deity, supporting merit (puṇya) through orderly devotion.