Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 20
Trailokya-mohinī Śrī-Lakṣmī-ādi-pūjā and Durgā-yoga
Protective and Siddhi Rites
समाध्येशानमन्त्रेण तिलहोमो वशीकरः जयः पद्मैस्तु दुर्वाभिः शान्तिः कामः पलाशजैः
samādhyeśānamantreṇa tilahomo vaśīkaraḥ jayaḥ padmaistu durvābhiḥ śāntiḥ kāmaḥ palāśajaiḥ
समाध्येशानमन्त्रेण तिलहोमः वशीकरः। पद्मैः होमात् जयः, दुर्वाभिः शान्तिः, पलाशजैः होमात् कामसिद्धिः।
Lord Agni (teaching the ritual applications to the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Homa-dravya selection keyed to desired siddhi: sesame for vashikarana, lotus for jaya, durva for shanti, palasha flowers for kama-siddhi, all empowered by Ishana-mantra.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Formula","entry_title":"Ishana-Mantra Homa: Dravya-to-Phala Mapping","lookup_keywords":["Ishana mantra","tila homa vashikarana","padma homa jaya","durva homa shanti","palasha pushpa kama"],"quick_summary":"Using the Īśāna-mantra, specific offerings in fire are prescribed for specific outcomes: sesame for attraction/subjugation, lotus for victory, durvā for pacification, and palāśa blossoms for desire-fulfillment."}
Concept: Ritual causality: mantra + correctly chosen dravya + homa acts as a structured means to targeted results (phala).
Application: When performing homa, align intention (sankalpa) with prescribed offering-substance and consistent mantra recitation.
Khanda Section: Isana-kalpa (Mantra-tantra and Homa-vidhi for siddhis and shanti)
Primary Rasa: Adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: Shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A fire-altar homa: the practitioner offers sesame, lotus petals, durva grass, and palasha blossoms into the flames while reciting the Ishana-mantra, with each offering labeled by its intended result (vashikarana, jaya, shanti, kama).","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, sacred fire-kunda with stylized flames, offerings of tila, padma, durva, palasha arranged in bowls, priest in white performing ahuti, luminous adbhuta mood.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, homa scene with gold-highlighted flames and vessels, lotus and palasha blossoms richly colored, divine Ishana presence implied by aura, ornate borders.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional panel: four quadrants showing each dravya being offered and the corresponding phala text, clean composition, soft palette.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed ritual courtyard with homa-kunda, attendants holding bowls of sesame and flowers, calligraphic labels for outcomes, refined naturalism."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: samādhyeśānamantreṇa = samādhi+īśāna+mantreṇa; padmaiḥ+tu→padmaistu; palāśajaiḥ = palāśa+jaiḥ.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 307 (homa-vidhi and siddhi/shanti prayogas)
FAQs
It prescribes a specific homa-vidhi mapping: sesame oblations for vaśīkaraṇa, lotus for jaya (victory), durvā for śānti (pacification), and palāśa offerings for kāma-siddhi (desire-fulfillment), all under the Īśāna-mantra.
It functions like a concise ritual manual entry—cataloging materials (tila, padma, durvā, palāśa) and their targeted outcomes—illustrating how the Agni Purana compiles practical, application-oriented knowledge alongside theology.
The verse frames ritual action as a means to pacify obstacles and obtain desired outcomes; when performed with mantra and correct offerings, the homa is presented as a purificatory act that aligns intention with dharmic ritual order.