Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 9
Rājābhiṣeka-kathana
Account of the Royal Consecration
अपराजिताञ्च कलसं वह्नेर्दक्षिणपार्श्वगं सम्पातवन्तं हैमञ्च पूजयेद्गन्धपुष्पकैः
aparājitāñca kalasaṃ vahnerdakṣiṇapārśvagaṃ sampātavantaṃ haimañca pūjayedgandhapuṣpakaiḥ
वह्नेर्दक्षिणपार्श्वगं अपराजितां कलशं सम्पातवन्तं हैमं च पूजयेत्। गन्धपुष्पकैः सम्यक् अर्चयेत्॥
Lord Agni (narrating to sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vrata","secondary_vidya":"Vastu","practical_application":"Kalasha-sthāpana and worship protocol in homa: place Aparājitā-kalaśa on the southern side of the sacred fire and honor it (and a golden sprinkling vessel) with gandha and puṣpa.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Aparājitā-kalaśa placement (south of fire) and worship with gandha-puṣpa","lookup_keywords":["Aparājitā-kalaśa","kalasha-sthāpana","dakṣiṇa-pārśva","gandha-puṣpa","sampātavat"],"quick_summary":"The rite specifies directional placement of a protective kalasha near the fire and its worship with fragrance and flowers, along with a golden vessel used for oblation-sprinkling."}
Concept: Material supports (kalasha, vessels) become carriers of śakti through correct placement and pūjā, integrating space-direction (dik) with mantra-kriyā.
Application: In ceremonies, treat implements as consecrated supports: place them correctly and honor them to ‘activate’ the rite’s protective intent.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Agni-karya / Homa & Kalasha-sthapana)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A homa altar with bright fire; to its southern side a decorated Aparājitā kalasha; nearby a gleaming golden vessel used for sprinkling/oblation-related rites; priests offering flowers and sandal paste.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, symmetrical yajña scene, fire at center, south side clearly marked with Aparājitā kalasha adorned with leaves and cloth, priests applying gandha and offering flowers, bold flat colors and ornate borders.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, close-up devotional still-life: kalasha with gold accents, thick gold-leaf work on the golden vessel, flowers and sandal paste bowls, fire glow, rich reds/greens, temple-like arch framing.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore, instructional composition: labeled directions, fire altar, kalasha on dakṣiṇa side, priest performing gandha-puṣpa upacāra, delicate linework and soft shading.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed vessels with metallic sheen, patterned carpeted ritual space, fire altar, kalasha placed to the right (south) in composition, attendants holding flower trays, fine architectural background."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Hamsadhwani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: अपराजिताञ्च = अपराजितान् + च (न् + च → ञ्च); वह्नेर्दक्षिण- = वह्नेः + दक्षिण- (ः + द → र्द); पूजयेद्गन्धपुष्पकैः = पूजयेत् + गन्धपुष्पकैः (त् + ग → द्ग).
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Kalasha-sthāpana and pūjā-upacāra sections; Agni Purana: Homa implements (pātra, sruc, prokṣaṇa) descriptions
FAQs
It specifies the correct placement (south of the fire) and the worship protocol (gandha and flowers) for a protective ‘Aparājitā’ kalasha and a golden vessel used for sampāta—ritual sprinkling/casting connected with oblations.
By recording precise liturgical micro-instructions—directional placement, named ritual vessels, and their functions—it preserves practical priestly procedure alongside broader theology, exemplifying the Agni Purana’s manual-like coverage of rites.
Honouring the properly placed kalasha and associated vessels is presented as a correctness-of-rite (vidhi) act that supports protection (aparājitā-bhāva), purity, and the efficacy of the fire-sacrifice, thereby strengthening ritual merit (puṇya) and auspicious outcomes.