Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 22
Dīkṣāvidhi-kathana
Explanation of the Rite of Initiation
अमन्त्रमर्चनं तत्र पूर्ववत् कारयेत् क्रमात् यस्यां मूर्तौ पतेत् पुष्पं तस्य तन्नाम निर्दिशेत्
amantramarcanaṃ tatra pūrvavat kārayet kramāt yasyāṃ mūrtau patet puṣpaṃ tasya tannāma nirdiśet
तत्र पूर्ववत् क्रमशोऽमन्त्रकं अर्चनं कारयेत्। यस्यां मूर्तौ पुष्पं पतेत् तस्यैव तन्नाम निर्दिशेत्॥
Lord Agni (instructing sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vrata","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Flower-omen (puṣpa-praśna) within arcana to select/confirm the invoked deity-form and proceed with worship accordingly.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Puṣpa-praśna in amāntraka-arcana (flower-fall name declaration)","lookup_keywords":["amāntraka-arcana","puṣpa-praśna","archana-vidhi","mūrti-nāma","omen in worship"],"quick_summary":"Perform worship without mantra as per the prior sequence; the deity-form is identified by the icon on which the offered flower falls, and that name is to be declared for the rite."}
Concept: Daiva-nimitta (divine indication) used to resolve ritual identification within a controlled procedure.
Application: When uncertain about the intended form/name in a multi-form setup, use puṣpa-praśna as a sanctioned decision-rule and proceed without disputation.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Archana & Pushpa-prashna / flower-omen in worship)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A worshipper offers a flower before several deity-icons; the flower lands on one specific icon, and the priest announces that deity’s name while continuing the stepwise arcana without mantra.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural aesthetic, flat yet vibrant colors, priest in traditional attire offering a lotus, multiple deity panels/icons in a sanctum-like setting, the flower visibly falling onto one chosen icon, ritual lamps and brass vessels, sacred calm.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting with rich gold leaf, ornate framed deity icons, a devotee’s hand releasing a flower, the flower landing on one icon, heavy jewelry and halo work, deep reds and greens, temple lamp glow.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, delicate linework, instructional clarity: multiple labeled deity icons, a flower trajectory shown subtly, priest pointing and declaring the name, clean architectural backdrop and pūjā items arranged.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed interior of a shrine room, multiple small idols on a platform, a flower mid-fall onto one idol, attendants watching, fine textiles, precise gestures of declaration."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: अमन्त्रमर्चनम् = अमन्त्रम् + अर्चनम्; तन्नाम = तत् + नाम (व्यञ्जनसन्धि/अनुस्वार).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 27 (Pūjā-vidhi: arcana sequence and ancillary omens)
FAQs
It teaches an amantra-arcana (worship without mantra-recitation) and a practical method of identifying the intended deity-name by observing on which mūrti the offered flower falls.
Alongside theology, the Agni Purana preserves procedural ritual technology—standardized worship sequences (krama) and decision-rules (flower-fall indication) used in temple/household practice—showing it functions as a manual of applied religious methods.
By following the prescribed sequence and correctly naming the deity-form indicated, the worshipper avoids ritual error (doṣa) and aligns the offering with the proper recipient, supporting purity of intention and efficacy of the rite.