Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 7
Ācāra
Right Conduct
उपस्पृश्य ततः कुर्यादम्भसः परिमार्जनं हिरण्यवर्णास्तिसृभिः शन्नो देवीति चाप्यथ
upaspṛśya tataḥ kuryādambhasaḥ parimārjanaṃ hiraṇyavarṇāstisṛbhiḥ śanno devīti cāpyatha
ஆசமனம் செய்து பின்னர் நீரால் பரிமார்ஜனம் (தெளித்து/துடைத்து சுத்திகரித்தல்) செய்ய வேண்டும்—‘ஹிரண்யவர்ணாஃ…’ எனத் தொடங்கும் மூன்று ருசிகளாலும், மேலும் ‘ஷன்னோ தேவீ…’ மந்திரத்தாலும்।
Lord Agni (instructional narration to Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purana dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Ācamana-anantara śuddhi: water-sprinkling/wiping purification while reciting specific Vedic mantras to ritually cleanse body and mind before pūjā.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Ācamana-anantara ambhasaḥ parimārjana with Hiraṇyavarṇāḥ & Śanno Devī","lookup_keywords":["ācamana","parimārjana","hiraṇyavarṇāḥ","śanno devī","śuddhi"],"quick_summary":"After ācamana, perform bodily purification by wiping/sprinkling water while reciting the three Hiraṇyavarṇāḥ verses and the Śanno Devī mantra as a preparatory śuddhi for worship."}
Concept: Śuddhi as prerequisite for mantra and pūjā efficacy; external cleansing supports internal sattva.
Application: Perform ācamana then parimārjana with mantra to establish ritual eligibility (adhikāra) for subsequent worship.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Snana–Achamana–Shuddhi / Purificatory rites and mantra-based cleansing)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A worshipper after ācamana gently sprinkles/wipes water over head and limbs, holding a small water vessel (kamaṇḍalu/lotā), reciting Vedic water-purification mantras before beginning pūjā.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, serene pūjā-preparation scene, devotee in white dhoti performing parimārjana with water, subtle sacred aura, minimal background with lamp and kalasha, earthy reds and ochres","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, devotee near a small altar with kalasha and lamp, gold-leaf highlights on vessels and halo-like aura, depiction of water-sprinkling purification, rich jewel tones","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, clean instructional composition showing ācamana completed and parimārjana step, labeled ritual objects (lotā, pañcapātra), delicate lines and soft shading","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly yet devotional interior, figure performing water-sprinkling with fine detail on vessel and textiles, architectural niche and carpet, restrained palette"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: कुर्यादम्भसः = कुर्यात् + अम्भसः; हिरण्यवर्णास्तिसृभिः = हिरण्यवर्णाः + तिसृभिः; देवीति = देवी + इति; चाप्यथ = च + अपि + अथ; शन्नो = शन् + नः (वैदिक संधि/पाठ)
Related Themes: Agni Purana 155 (Pūjā-vidhi: snāna/ācamana/śuddhi sequence)
FAQs
It prescribes the sequence of purification: first ācamana, then parimārjana (ritual cleansing with water), specifically empowered by reciting three “hiraṇyavarṇāḥ” verses and the “śanno devī” mantra.
By codifying precise, mantra-linked micro-procedures of daily/ceremonial purity (śauca) used across pūjā and saṃskāras, it showcases the Agni Purana’s practical ritual manual character alongside its broader teachings.
Ācamana and mantra-infused water cleansing are treated as removing ritual impurity and aligning the practitioner with auspicious, sattvic conditions—supporting merit (puṇya) and eligibility for worship and mantra practice.