Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 15
Trailokya-mohinī Śrī-Lakṣmī-ādi-pūjā and Durgā-yoga
Protective and Siddhi Rites
लवणामलकं वर्ज्यं नागादित्यतिथौ क्रमात् पायसाशी जपेत् सूक्तं श्रियस्तेनाभिषेचयेत्
lavaṇāmalakaṃ varjyaṃ nāgādityatithau kramāt pāyasāśī japet sūktaṃ śriyastenābhiṣecayet
नागादित्यतिथौ क्रमाल्लवणामलकं वर्जयेत्। पायसाशी सूक्तं जपेत् तेन श्रियमभिषेचयेत्॥
Lord Agni (instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purāṇa’s vrata/ritual sections)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vrata","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Vrata regimen tied to tithi: dietary restrictions, specific food (pāyasa), Śrī-sūkta japa, and abhiṣeka for prosperity rites.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Nāga–Āditya Tithi Vrata: Lavana-Āmalaka Tyāga, Pāyasa, Śrī-sūkta Japa and Abhiṣeka","lookup_keywords":["Nāga tithi","Āditya tithi","Śrī-sūkta","pāyasa","abhiṣeka"],"quick_summary":"On specified lunar days (Nāga and Āditya), avoid salt and āmalaka; take pāyasa, recite Śrī-sūkta, and perform abhiṣeka to invoke Śrī (Lakṣmī) and prosperity."}
Dosha: Tridosha
Concept: Prosperity (Śrī) is approached through disciplined observance: niyama (dietary restraint), mantra (Śrī-sūkta), and abhiṣeka (consecratory act).
Application: Plan the vrata by tithi, keep the prescribed restrictions, and integrate japa with abhiṣeka as a single ritual workflow.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Vrata-kalpa (Auspicious-day observances and Śrī-sūkta practice)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: shringaara
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A devotee on Nāga/Āditya tithi performs Lakṣmī-focused rite: pāyasa offering, Śrī-sūkta recitation, and abhiṣeka vessel poised; salt and āmalaka shown set aside as avoided items.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, Lakṣmī shrine with lamps, devotee reciting from palm-leaf manuscript, pāyasa in a brass bowl, abhiṣeka pot, salt and āmalaka placed aside with a subtle ‘avoid’ cue, rich temple reds and ochres","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, Lakṣmī seated on lotus with gold halo, devotee offering pāyasa, abhiṣeka with kalasha, ornate gold embossing, side plate showing salt and āmalaka kept away, festive prosperity theme","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clean instructional composition: tithi noted on a small calendar motif, pāyasa offering, Śrī-sūkta recitation, abhiṣeka stream, delicate lines and soft colors","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, indoor ritual scene with fine vessels, scholar-priest chanting Śrī-sūkta, pāyasa bowl, abhiṣeka pot, still-life detail of salt and āmalaka set aside, intricate border"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Shree","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: लवणामलकं = lavaṇa-āmalakam (dvandva). श्रियस्तेन = śriyas + tena (sandhi: -as + t-).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 307 (Śrī-upāsanā and vrata-kalpa context)
FAQs
It prescribes a specific vrata-style regimen: avoid salt and āmalaka on Nāga/Āditya tithis, take pāyasa as the observance-food, recite the Śrī-sūkta, and conclude with a Śrī-oriented abhiṣeka to invoke prosperity.
It exemplifies the Agni Purāṇa’s practical ritual handbook character—recording calendrical observances (tithi-based rules), dietetics within vrata practice, mantra application (sūkta-japa), and a concrete ritual endpoint (abhiṣeka) aimed at a defined result (Śrī/prosperity).
The restraint (avoiding certain foods), mantra-recitation, and abhiṣeka together function as a merit-producing discipline intended to attract Śrī—i.e., auspiciousness, wellbeing, and prosperity—through purified conduct and focused devotion.