Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 16
Tvaritā-mūla-mantra and Related Details
Dīkṣā, Maṇḍala, Nyāsa, Japa, Homa, Siddhi, Mokṣa
निक्षिपेद् हृदयेनाग्निं शक्तिं मध्ये ऽग्निगां स्मरेत् गर्भाधानं पुंसवनं जातकर्म च होमयेत्
nikṣiped hṛdayenāgniṃ śaktiṃ madhye 'gnigāṃ smaret garbhādhānaṃ puṃsavanaṃ jātakarma ca homayet
இதயப் பாவத்துடன் அக்னியை நிறுவ வேண்டும்; நடுவில் அக்னிக்குள் இயங்கும் சக்தியைத் தியானிக்க வேண்டும். பின்னர் கர்பாதானம், பும்ஸவனம், ஜாதகர்மம் ஆகிய ஸம்ஸ்காரங்களுக்காக ஹோமம் செய்ய வேண்டும்.
Lord Agni (in instruction to sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Saṃskāra-homa guidance: internal placement of sacred fire with hṛdaya-bhāva, contemplation of Agni-śakti at the center, and performance of homas for garbhādhāna, puṃsavana, and jātakarma.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Saṃskāra-homa for garbhādhāna, puṃsavana, and jātakarma with Agni-śakti dhyāna","lookup_keywords":["saṃskāra-homa","garbhādhāna","puṃsavana","jātakarma","agni-śakti"],"quick_summary":"Establish the ritual fire with heart-intention, meditate on the śakti within Agni at the center, and perform homa offerings for key life-cycle rites from conception to birth."}
Concept: Saṃskāras sanctify biological transitions through Agni as witness and transformer; inner intention (hṛdaya) and śakti-dhyāna are integral, not optional.
Application: When conducting family rites, integrate mental focus (saṅkalpa/hṛdaya) with correct homa procedure; treat each saṃskāra as continuity of dharma across generations.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Saṃskāra-homa / Gṛhya-ritual procedures)
Primary Rasa: śānta
Secondary Rasa: vātsalya
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A domestic ritual setting: a small fire altar at the center, householder couple seated, priest guiding; visualization of a subtle śakti within the flame; sequential depiction of garbhādhāna, puṃsavana, and jātakarma homas.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: household homa with central flame, couple in traditional attire, priest performing āhuti, subtle goddess-like śakti motif within Agni, warm earthy palette, stylized faces and ornate border","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: central homa fire with gold glow, couple receiving blessings, priest with ladle, auspicious symbols for fertility and birth, gold leaf accents on flame and ornaments, rich saturated colors","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: clear narrative panels (triptych) for the three saṃskāras, consistent altar layout, fine linework, gentle colors, emphasis on procedure and implements","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: intimate interior courtyard scene, detailed ritual vessels, couple and priest around a small fire, delicate rendering of textiles, a faint luminous śakti form rising from flames"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: hṛdayenāgniṃ = hṛdayena + agnim; madhye 'gnigāṃ = madhye + agnigām (avagraha for initial a-).
Related Themes: Agni Purana gṛhya/saṃskāra discussions; homa-vidhi and saṅkalpa/dhyāna instructions in adjacent pūjā-vidhi sections
FAQs
It prescribes the internalized establishment of the sacred fire (with hṛdaya-bhāva), meditation on Śakti operating within Agni, and then the performance of homa connected to key gṛhya-saṃskāras: garbhādhāna, puṃsavana, and jātakarma.
Alongside theology, the Agni Purāṇa catalogs applied ritual technology—household sacraments and their homa-method—showing it functions as a practical manual for dharma and rite-performance, not only a narrative Purāṇa.
By sanctifying conception, pregnancy, and birth through Agni-centered offerings and Śakti-meditation, the acts are framed as purificatory saṃskāras intended to refine lineage (saṃskāra), invite auspiciousness, and reduce ritual impurity through fire as a consecrating medium.