Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 8
Chapter 34 — होमादिविधिः
The Procedure for Homa and Related Rites
अस्त्रजप्तपुष्पक्षेपाद्विघ्नानुत्सार्य संविशेत् भूतशुद्धिं विधायाथ विन्यस्य कृतमुद्रवः
astrajaptapuṣpakṣepādvighnānutsārya saṃviśet bhūtaśuddhiṃ vidhāyātha vinyasya kṛtamudravaḥ
அஸ்திர மந்திரம் ஜபித்த மலர்களை எறிந்து தடைகளை அகற்றி பின்னர் உள்ளே நுழைய வேண்டும். அதன் பின் பூதசுத்தி செய்து, ந்யாசம் நிறுவி, விதிப்படி முத்திரைகளைச் செய்து வழிபாட்டைத் தொடர வேண்டும்।
Lord Agni (in dialogue to sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Standard pre-entry ritual: obstacle-removal with astra-mantra, then internal purification (bhūta-śuddhi), mantra-installation (nyāsa), and mudrā execution to qualify the body-mind as a fit vessel for worship.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Astra-puṣpa-kṣepa, vighna-utsāraṇa, bhūta-śuddhi, nyāsa and mudrā sequence","lookup_keywords":["astra-mantra","puṣpa-kṣepa","bhūta-śuddhi","nyāsa","mudrā"],"quick_summary":"Drive away obstacles by flower-casting empowered with the astra-mantra, then perform elemental purification, install mantras by nyāsa, and seal the rite with prescribed mudrās before proceeding."}
Concept: The body is ritually reconstituted through bhūta-śuddhi and nyāsa so it becomes a mantra-body (mantra-maya-śarīra) fit for divine approach.
Application: Use a fixed pre-pūjā sequence to stabilize attention, reduce ‘vighna’ (inner/outer disruptions), and maintain ritual correctness.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Ritual Procedure and Tantric Mantra-Mudra Practice)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A worshipper at the temple entrance casts mantra-charged flowers outward, then performs seated bhūta-śuddhi, nyāsa on limbs, and hand mudrās before entering.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: devotee in white dhoti near lamp-lit doorway, scattering flowers with dynamic arc; subtle depiction of five elements as colored aura; hands forming mudrās; sacred geometry motifs in background.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: central figure performing mudrā with gold-highlighted hands; flower-casting scene with embossed gold petals; ornate arch and lamps; rich jewel tones.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: instructional panel style—sequence shown in one frame (flower-cast, seated purification, nyāsa touches, mudrā); delicate lines, muted palette, light gold.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: courtyard of a shrine, figure casting flowers; attendants and ritual items; fine detail on petals and textiles; calm, precise composition."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":null,"pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: astrajaptapuṣpakṣepādvighnānutsārya → astra-japta-puṣpa-kṣepāt + vighnān + utsārya (d from ablative -āt + v-). vidhāyātha → vidhāya + atha. kṛtamudravaḥ → kṛta-mudrā-vaḥ (bahir-sandhi; mudrā + -vat/ -vaḥ adjectival usage).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 34 (sections on rakṣā, nyāsa, mudrā, and śuddhi)
FAQs
It teaches the standard pre-entry ritual sequence: remove vighnas by throwing flowers empowered with the Astra-mantra, then perform bhūta-śuddhi, apply nyāsa (mantra-installation on the body), and complete the required mudrās.
It preserves a compact, technical manual of ritual praxis—Astra-mantra protection, elemental purification, nyāsa, and mudrā—showing the Agni Purana’s coverage of practical liturgy alongside its many other disciplines.
By expelling obstacles and purifying the elements before worship, the practitioner is made ritually fit (śuddha) and protected, so the rite becomes efficacious and less prone to disruption or impurity.