Agni Purana — Ayurveda, Shloka 44
Bala-graha-hara Bāla-tantram (बालग्रहहर बालतन्त्रम्) — Pediatric protection and graha-affliction management
देवदूती निष्ठुरवाक् बलिर्लेपादि पूर्ववत् बलिका द्वादशे बलिर्लेपादि पूर्ववत्
devadūtī niṣṭhuravāk balirlepādi pūrvavat balikā dvādaśe balirlepādi pūrvavat
देवदूत्यै निष्ठुरवाचाय च बलिर्लेपादिकं पूर्वोक्तविधिना कार्यम्। बलिकायाः अपि द्वादशे बलिर्लेपादि सर्वं पूर्ववत् एव विधेयम्।
Lord Agni (teaching sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purāṇa’s instructional frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Puja-vidhi","practical_application":"Day-wise bali offerings and anulepana (ritual paste application) for specific devatā/śakti-names within a propitiatory sequence, ensuring continuity with earlier stated standard procedure.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Devadūtī–Niṣṭhuravāk–Balikā Bali (Day-wise repetition of pūrvavat-vidhi)","lookup_keywords":["Devadūtī bali","Niṣṭhuravāk","Balikā dvādaśa","lepana anulepana","pūrvavat vidhi"],"quick_summary":"For Devadūtī and Niṣṭhuravāk, and again for Balikā on the twelfth observance, perform bali, paste-application, and the remaining steps exactly as laid down earlier; the verse functions as a repetition-marker to keep the ritual sequence consistent."}
Concept: Ritual efficacy depends on strict adherence to an established pūrvavat (previously defined) procedure and correct sequencing by tithi/day.
Application: Use a stable base-vidhi and apply it uniformly to named sub-rites; avoid improvisation that breaks the sequence.
Khanda Section: Pūjā-vidhi / Bali-pradāna (Ritual offerings and propitiatory rites)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritualist repeats a standardized bali and anulepana sequence before small marked offering-places associated with Devadūtī, Niṣṭhuravāk, and Balikā, indicating 'as previously done' continuity.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style: a pūjaka in white dhoti applying sandal-paste and placing bali on leaf-plates before three labeled yantra-like offering spots (Devadūtī, Niṣṭhuravāk, Balikā), warm earthy palette, stylized lamps and temple interior.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting: central ritual altar with gold-leaf highlights, ornate lamps, priest offering bali and applying paste; three small framed name-panels for Devadūtī, Niṣṭhuravāk, Balikā; rich reds and greens, embossed jewelry motifs on ritual vessels.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting: instructional composition showing step-by-step repetition—bali plate, paste bowl, flowers, water pot—arranged neatly; priest gestures indicating 'pūrvavat'; fine linework and soft shading.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: courtly indoor shrine scene with detailed textiles; a practitioner places offerings on three small platforms, attendants holding paste and garlands; precise architectural borders and calligraphic labels for the three names."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":null,"pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: balirlepādi = baliḥ + lepa-ādi; other words mostly unsandhied in the given text.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 298 (earlier pūrvavat bali/lepana sections)
FAQs
It specifies that for the named figures (Devadūtī, Niṣṭhuravāk, and Balikā) the practitioner should repeat the already-taught procedure—especially bali (propitiatory offering) and lepa (ritual anointing/paste application)—without modification, with Balikā’s instance tied to the twelfth observance/day.
By functioning like a ritual manual cross-reference: it compresses instruction through ‘pūrvavat’ (“as earlier”), showing the text’s systematic, procedural organization typical of encyclopedic compendia that catalogue many deities/figures and standardize their worship-steps.
It emphasizes fidelity to prescribed ritual sequence; repeating bali and lepa ‘as previously’ is presented as the correct means of propitiation, supporting purification and the intended merit (puṇya) gained from properly executed worship/observance.