Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 13
Chapter 34 — होमादिविधिः
The Procedure for Homa and Related Rites
यागद्रव्यादि संरक्ष्य विकिरान् विकिरेत्ततः मूलाष्टशतसञ्जप्तान् कुशकूर्चान् हरेश् च तान्
yāgadravyādi saṃrakṣya vikirān vikirettataḥ mūlāṣṭaśatasañjaptān kuśakūrcān hareś ca tān
யாகப் பொருட்கள் முதலியவற்றை பாதுகாத்த பின், விகிரம் (சடங்கு துகள்கள்) சிதறச் செய்ய வேண்டும். அதன் பின் மூலமந்திரத்தை எட்டுநூறு முறை ஜபித்து புனிதப்படுத்தப்பட்ட குசகூர்ச்சங்களை அகற்ற வேண்டும்.
Lord Agni (instructing sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Homa/yajña hygiene and closure-step: protect materials, perform vikiraṇa (ritual scattering), and remove/handle mantra-siddha kuśa-kūrcas after prescribed japa count.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Vikiraṇa and Mūla-mantra 800-japa Kuśa-kūrca Handling","lookup_keywords":["yāga-dravya-saṃrakṣaṇa","vikiraṇa","mūla-mantra","aṣṭaśata-japa","kuśa-kūrca"],"quick_summary":"Secure the yajña materials, perform the prescribed scattering (vikiraṇa), then remove the kuśa-bunches that were consecrated by 800 recitations of the root-mantra."}
Concept: Mantra efficacy is tied to disciplined procedure (saṃrakṣaṇa, prescribed acts, and exact japa-saṅkhyā).
Application: Treat japa counts and handling of ritual implements as non-negotiable; keep offerings protected from contamination and disorder.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Agneya-vidya (Yajna and Homa procedure)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A priest safeguards heaps of yajña materials, then performs vikiraṇa by scattering sanctified particles; nearby lie kuśa-kūrcas marked as mantra-consecrated, which he then removes in sequence.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, priest in ritual posture beside homa-kuṇḍa, kuśa bundles clearly drawn, scattering gesture frozen mid-motion, warm lamp-lit palette, sacred geometry on floor.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, homa setting with gold accents on vessels, kuśa-kūrcas rendered with stylized green, priest’s hand scattering grains/particles, ornate borders.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, didactic composition: labeled objects (dravya, vikiraṇa area, kuśa-kūrca), calm faces, fine lines, subtle gold detailing.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, meticulous depiction of ritual paraphernalia—spoons, bowls, kuśa bundles—priest scattering particles, attendants guarding materials, architectural pavilion backdrop."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: विकिरेत्ततः → vikiret tataḥ; हरेश् च → hareḥ ca.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 34 (Agneya-vidyā: homa/yajña procedural steps)
FAQs
It teaches the post-offering handling of ritual materials: safeguarding yajña requisites, ritually dispersing the scattered remnants (vikira), and removing kuśa-bunch implements that have been empowered by extensive root-mantra japa (800 repetitions).
Beyond theology, it preserves precise operational details of yajña/homa practice—material management, mantra-based consecration, and prescribed disposal—showing the Agni Purana’s coverage of practical ritual technology alongside broader dharma and spiritual instruction.
Correct protection and disposal of offerings and kuśa implements maintains ritual purity (śuddhi), prevents doṣa from improper remnants, and seals the rite as an orderly, merit-bearing (puṇya) act governed by mantra and discipline.