Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 19
सकलादिमन्त्रोद्धारः (Sakalādi-mantra-uddhāra) — Chapter Colophon/Transition
लयं दूत्यप्रियं लौल्यं विकर्णं वत्सलं तथा कृतान्तं कालदडण्च यजेत् कुम्भञ्च पूर्ववत्
layaṃ dūtyapriyaṃ laulyaṃ vikarṇaṃ vatsalaṃ tathā kṛtāntaṃ kāladaḍaṇca yajet kumbhañca pūrvavat
லயம், தூத்யப்ரியன், லௌல்யன், விகர்ணன், வத்ஸலன்—இவர்களையும், க்ருதாந்தன் மற்றும் காலதண்டனையும் வழிபட வேண்டும்; கும்பம் (கலசம்) என்பதையும் முன்புபோலவே வழிபட வேண்டும்।
Lord Agni (instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha in ritual procedure)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Puja-vidhi","practical_application":"Mantra-devatā-nyāsa style worship: invoking specific attendant deities/powers and performing kumbha (kalasha) worship as per prior procedure.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Kumbha-pūjā with attendant devatās (Laya, Dūtyapriya, Laulya, Vikarṇa, Vatsala, Kṛtānta, Kāladaṇḍa)","lookup_keywords":["kumbha-puja","kalasha","nyasa","Kritanta","Kaladanda"],"quick_summary":"The verse lists deities/powers to be worshipped in sequence and instructs that the ritual vessel (kumbha) be worshipped following the previously stated method, indicating a standardized pūjā template."}
Concept: Ritual efficacy through correct sequencing (krama) and continuity (‘pūrvavat’)—standardization of worship acts.
Application: In practice, follow the earlier kalasha-vidhi exactly (āsana, āvāhana, upacāras), inserting this devatā-list at the appropriate nyāsa/āvaraṇa step.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Mantra-devata-nyasa and Kalasha/Kumbha worship in Agni Purana)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritual altar with a decorated kumbha (kalasha) being worshipped; priest invokes a sequence of attendant deities/powers, including stern time/death guardians (Kṛtānta, Kāladaṇḍa) as protective perimeter.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural of a pūjā scene: brass kumbha with mango leaves and coconut on a lotus pedestal, priest performing āvāhana; around the vessel, small guardian figures in traditional mural style—some gentle (Vatsala), some stern (Kṛtānta, Kāladaṇḍa) with staff motifs; warm earthy palette","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting centered on an ornate kalasha with gold leaf, gemstones, and halo; miniature side-panels show the named devatās as symbolic emblems (staff for Kāladaṇḍa, protective aura for Vatsala), rich temple décor and lamps","mysore_prompt":"Mysore instructional painting: stepwise depiction of kumbha-pūjā—placement, decoration, offering sequence; labels for each invoked devatā; clean lines, soft gradients, emphasis on ritual objects","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature of a yajña/pūjā pavilion: priest and assistants around a kalasha, fine detailing of vessels and textiles; marginal cartouches naming the invoked powers; subdued yet intricate composition"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":null,"pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: kāladaḍaṇca → kāla-daṇḍam + ca (orthography normalized); kumbhañca → kumbham + ca.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 317 (earlier ‘pūrvavat’ kumbha/kalasha procedure in the same pūjā-vidhi section)
FAQs
It prescribes a specific sequence of devatā-invocations—worshipping named attendant deities (including Kṛtānta and Kāladaṇḍa) and then performing kalasha/kumbha worship exactly as in the earlier steps (pūrvavat), indicating continuity of the same upacāras and mantra-protocol.
It exemplifies the Agni Purana’s catalog-like ritual mapping: even abstract qualities (e.g., Laulya) and death/time powers (Kṛtānta, Kāladaṇḍa) are systematized as worship-worthy devatā-aspects within a standardized kalasha-rite—showing the text’s breadth in codifying ritual theology and procedure.
By ritually acknowledging forces of time, restraint, and death (Kṛtānta/Kāladaṇḍa) within the consecrated vessel worship, the practitioner symbolically brings disruptive or punitive powers under dharmic order, supporting purification, protection, and the successful completion (siddhi) of the rite.