Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 46
Chapter 31 — मार्जनविधानं
The Procedure of Mārjana / Purificatory Sprinkling
शान्तिरस्तु शिवञ्चास्तु दुष्टमस्य प्रशाम्यतु वासुदेवशरीरोत्थैः कुशैर् निर्मथितं मया
śāntirastu śivañcāstu duṣṭamasya praśāmyatu vāsudevaśarīrotthaiḥ kuśair nirmathitaṃ mayā
शान्तिरस्तु शिवञ्चास्तु दुष्टमस्य प्रशाम्यतु। वासुदेवशरीरोत्थैः कुशैर् निर्मथितं मया॥
Lord Agni (instructing the ritual procedure to the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Puja-vidhi","practical_application":"Śānti–rakṣā utterance during/after purification, using kuśa as a consecrated implement to pacify doṣa/evil influences in the rite and environment.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Śānti-Rakṣā with Kuśa as Vāsudeva-sambhūta","lookup_keywords":["śānti","rakṣā","kuśa","Vāsudeva","duṣṭa-praśamana"],"quick_summary":"Invokes peace and auspiciousness, then ritually neutralizes harmful influences by rubbing/cleansing with kuśa identified as arising from Vāsudeva."}
Alamkara Type: Anuprāsa (śānti/śiva; praśāmya)
Concept: Apotropaic purification: sacred identification (kuśa as Vāsudeva-linked) converts a simple object into a protective medium.
Application: Use sanctified materials with mantra and intention to ‘cool’ disturbances (duṣṭa) in domestic/temple rites.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Shanti & Raksha-mantra / ritual pacification)
Primary Rasa: śānta
Secondary Rasa: bhayānaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A practitioner holding a bundle of kuśa, gently rubbing/cleansing a ritual space or person while reciting ‘śāntir astu, śivaṃ cāstu’, with a calm protective aura.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, priest with kuśa bundle performing rakṣā, circular protective mandala motifs, subdued greens and reds, serene faces, stylized sacred space.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, central auspicious inscription ‘Śāntiḥ’, priest with kuśa, gold leaf highlighting kuśa tips and halo-like protection, temple interior elements.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear depiction of kuśa bundle and rubbing action, labeled ritual implements, soft pastel palette, instructional composition.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, intimate indoor ritual scene, detailed textiles and vessels, priest using kuśa to cleanse, attendants watching, fine linework and naturalistic shading."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: śāntirastu → śāntiḥ astu; śivañcāstu → śivam ca astu; kuśair → kuśaiḥ; vāsudevaśarīrotthaiḥ → vāsudeva-śarīra-utthaiḥ.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 31 (Kuśāpamārjana rites)
FAQs
It gives a śānti-prayoga: a pacificatory utterance paired with the ritual act of nirmathana (frictional rubbing) using kuśa grass to neutralize duṣṭa (harmful/inauspicious) influences.
Beyond mythology, it preserves applied ritual technology—specific materials (kuśa), a procedural action (nirmathita), and a formulaic blessing (śānti/śiva)—showing the text’s coverage of practical liturgy and protection rites alongside other disciplines.
It frames purification as both intention and action: invoking peace/auspiciousness while ritually removing negativity, aiming at the settling of harmful karmic or inauspicious effects and restoring ritual purity.