Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 35
Dīkṣāvidhi-kathana
Explanation of the Rite of Initiation
मण्डलेथ यजेद्विष्णुं ततः सन्तर्प्य पावकं आहूय दीक्षयेच्छिष्यान् बद्धपद्मासनस्थितान्
maṇḍaletha yajedviṣṇuṃ tataḥ santarpya pāvakaṃ āhūya dīkṣayecchiṣyān baddhapadmāsanasthitān
பின்னர் மண்டலத்தின் உள்ளே விஷ்ணுவை வழிபட வேண்டும். அதன் பின் பாவகன் (அக்னி) தார்ப்பணத்தால் திருப்தி அடையச் செய்து அவனை ஆவாஹனம் செய்து, பத்த பத்மாசனத்தில் அமர்ந்துள்ள சீடர்களுக்கு தீட்சை அளிக்க வேண்டும்.
Lord Agni (in discourse to sage Vasiṣṭha, the standard Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Maṇḍala-based Viṣṇu worship followed by fire-offering (homa) and formal initiation of disciples seated in baddha-padma-āsana; integrates pūjā, agni-santarpana, and dīkṣā.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Maṇḍale Viṣṇu-yajana, Agni-santarpana, and Dīkṣā in Baddha-padma","lookup_keywords":["maṇḍala","viṣṇu-pūjā","agni-santarpana","homa","baddha-padma-āsana"],"quick_summary":"Worship Viṣṇu within the mandala, nourish the sacred fire with offerings, invoke it as witness, and initiate properly seated disciples—linking deity, fire, and disciple in one consecratory sequence."}
Concept: Dīkṣā is a structured transmission: deity-centered worship, fire as purifier/witness, and disciplined bodily posture (āsana) to stabilize mind and prāṇa.
Application: In initiation ceremonies, keep a defined mandala, complete homa before dīkṣā, and seat initiands in stable baddha-padma to support mantra reception and ritual focus.
Khanda Section: Pūjā-vidhi / Dīkṣā-vidhi (Manḍala-kalpa and initiation procedure)
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A geometric mandala on the floor with Viṣṇu worship at its center; a homa fire burns in a small altar. Disciples sit in baddha-padma-āsana in a semicircle while the guru invokes Agni and begins initiation.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, bold mandala geometry, central Viṣṇu icon presence, glowing homa fire, disciples in symmetrical baddha-padma, priest with ladle, warm reds and ochres, temple interior stylization","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, Viṣṇu emphasized with gold aura, homa fire with gold highlights, disciples seated in lotus posture, ornate vessels, rich textiles, ceremonial grandeur","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional clarity: precise baddha-padma posture, mandala lines crisp, homa-kunda proportions clear, guru performing offering with ladle, soft colors and fine detailing","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed floor mandala, small fire altar with smoke curls, guru and disciples in ordered arrangement, delicate rendering of ritual implements and garments"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: यजेद्विष्णुम् = यजेत् + विष्णुम्; दीक्षयेच्छिष्यान् = दीक्षयेत् + शिष्यान्; बद्धपद्मासनस्थितान् analyzed as a multi-member tatpurusha compound.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 27 (maṇḍala-kalpa; homa and dīkṣā order)
FAQs
It prescribes a precise dīkṣā sequence: worship Viṣṇu within a maṇḍala, propitiate/invigorate Agni with offerings, invoke the fire, and then confer initiation on disciples seated steadily in baddha padmāsana.
It integrates multiple domains in one operational instruction—maṇḍala-ritual construction (tantric/pujā-vidhi), homa/Agni propitiation (Vedic-ritual technology), and yogic seating discipline (āsana)—showing the Agni Purāṇa’s practical, procedural breadth.
The verse frames initiation as a purified transmission: Viṣṇu-worship establishes auspiciousness, Agni-offerings purify and consecrate, and disciplined posture supports focused receptivity—together aiming at a sanctified, merit-bearing dīkṣā.