Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 25
Dīkṣāvidhi-kathana
Explanation of the Rite of Initiation
तेन प्राकृतिकान् पाशान् ग्रथित्वा तत्त्वसङ्ख्यया कृत्वा शरावे तत् सूत्रं कुण्डपार्श्वे निधाय तु
tena prākṛtikān pāśān grathitvā tattvasaṅkhyayā kṛtvā śarāve tat sūtraṃ kuṇḍapārśve nidhāya tu
तेन सूत्रेण तत्त्वसङ्ख्यया प्राकृतिकान् पाशान् ग्रथित्वा, तत् सूत्रं शरावे कृत्वा कुण्डपार्श्वे निधायेत्॥
Lord Agni (teaching sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Constructing and ritually staging a tattva-counted cord (pāśa/granthi) as a material support for visualization/nyāsa and for placement near the kuṇḍa during rite.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Tattva-numbered prakṛtika-pāśa cord: braiding, dish placement, and kuṇḍa-side installation","lookup_keywords":["prakṛtika-pāśa","tattva-saṅkhyā","granthi-grathana","śarāva","kuṇḍa-pārśva"],"quick_summary":"Braid the cord into loops/knots corresponding to the tattva count, keep it prepared in a dish, and place it beside the fire-pit as part of the ritual sequence."}
Concept: Material supports (upakaraṇa) encode metaphysical maps (tattvas); ‘pāśa’ symbolizes binding by nature and its ordered comprehension.
Application: Use counted knots/loops to keep tattva-sequence consistent across visualization, nyāsa, and homa-adjacent actions, reducing procedural drift.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Tantric/Ritual Procedure)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A teacher braids a cord into multiple loops/knots counted by tattvas, places it in a shallow dish, and sets it beside a lit fire-pit (kuṇḍa) prepared for ritual.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, priest braiding a cord with visible knots, a clay/metal śarāva dish in hand, glowing kuṇḍa with flames, ritual implements neatly arranged, earthy palette and strong outlines.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-accented kuṇḍa flames, ornate dish holding a knotted cord, priest placing it at the kuṇḍa’s side, rich reds and gold borders, sacred ambiance.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, step-by-step depiction: (1) knotting cord with counted loops, (2) cord in śarāva, (3) placement at kuṇḍa-pārśva; clean instructional composition.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed ritual courtyard, fire-pit with attendants, teacher placing a dish with a knotted cord beside it, fine textile patterns, realistic flames and vessels."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Hamsadhwani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तत्त्वसङ्ख्यया = तत्त्व + सङ्ख्यया; कुण्डपार्श्वे = कुण्ड + पार्श्वे.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 27 (tattva-based pūjā implements; nyāsa/homa adjacency)
FAQs
It teaches the practical preparation of a ritual cord by braiding loops (pāśas) in a prescribed tattva-based count, storing it in a dish, and placing it beside the homa-kuṇḍa for use in the rite.
It preserves hands-on liturgical engineering—how to manufacture, stage, and position specific ritual implements—showing the Agni Purana’s coverage beyond theology into procedural ritual craft.
Correctly prepared and placed implements support ritual accuracy (śuddhi) and efficacy (siddhi), aligning the offering with cosmic principles (tattvas) and thereby enhancing the rite’s purificatory and merit-bearing results.