Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 9
Dīkṣāvidhi-kathana
Explanation of the Rite of Initiation
सवस्त्रं पञ्चरत्नाढ्यं खण्डिले पूजयेद्धरिं अग्नावपि समभ्यर्च्य मन्त्रान् सञ्जप्य पूर्ववत्
savastraṃ pañcaratnāḍhyaṃ khaṇḍile pūjayeddhariṃ agnāvapi samabhyarcya mantrān sañjapya pūrvavat
கண்டிலி (வேதி) மீது ஆடை உடனும் பஞ்சரத்தினம் நிறைந்த அர்ப்பணத்துடனும் ஹரியைப் பூஜிக்க வேண்டும். அக்கினியிலும் முறையாக அர்ச்சித்து, முன்புபோல மந்திரங்களை ஜபிக்க வேண்டும்।
Lord Agni (in instruction to Sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purana dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Stotra","practical_application":"Vaishnava worship protocol: offering cloth and pañcaratna, altar-puja to Hari, parallel fire-worship, then mantra-japa continuation.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Hari-puja with pañcaratna and fire-worship with mantra-japa","lookup_keywords":["Hari-puja","pañcaratna","khāṇḍila (altar)","homa","mantra-japa"],"quick_summary":"Worship Hari on the altar with cloth and five-gem offering; worship likewise in the fire and continue mantra repetition in the established sequence."}
Concept: Upachāra (offerings) and homa are complementary channels of worship; mantra-japa sustains continuity of intention and invocation.
Application: When performing Viṣṇu-puja with homa, mirror the worship in both altar and fire, and keep mantra-count/sequence consistent (‘pūrvavat’).
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Hari-puja and Homa-related ritual procedure)
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A devotee-priest worships Hari on a ritual altar, offering cloth and a tray of five gems; nearby a homa fire burns as he continues mantra-japa.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, Viṣṇu presence behind altar, priest offering vastra and pañcaratna tray, homa-kunda with stylized flames, rhythmic composition, deep reds/greens.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, Hari with ornate crown, gold-leaf aura, priest presenting cloth and five gems, homa fire with gold highlights, rich temple interior and jeweled offerings.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clear altar (khāṇḍila) geometry, labeled pañcaratna set, priest posture for japa, homa-kunda to the side, soft shading and instructional clarity.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed gem tray and textiles, priest seated by altar and fire, attendants with puja items, delicate flame rendering, architectural niche suggesting Hari’s presence."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: pūjayeddhariṃ → pūjayet + harim; agnāvapi → agnau + api.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 27 (puja-vidhi continuation; homa and mantra sequence)
FAQs
It prescribes a combined Hari-pūjā and homa sequence: worship on the ritual altar (khaṇḍila) with cloth and pañcaratna offering, then worship in Agni followed by mantra-japa in the previously taught method.
It shows the text’s procedural ritual detail—linking icon/altar worship, specific material offerings (cloth, pañcaratna), fire-rite (homa), and mantra discipline—demonstrating how the Purana functions as a practical manual alongside theology.
By uniting material offerings, fire-worship, and mantra repetition, the rite is framed as a complete act of devotion and purification, aimed at accruing religious merit (puṇya) through correctly performed worship.