Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 27
Chapter 24 — कुण्डनिर्माणादिविधिः
Procedure for Constructing the Fire-pit and Related Rites
अखण्डिताग्रौ निर्गर्भौ कुशौ प्रादेशमात्रकौ ताभ्यामुत्तानपाणिभ्यामङ्गुष्ठानामिकेन तु
akhaṇḍitāgrau nirgarbhau kuśau prādeśamātrakau tābhyāmuttānapāṇibhyāmaṅguṣṭhānāmikena tu
చివరలు విరగని, గంతులు లేని, ప్రాదేశమాత్రమైన రెండు కుశలను—చేతి అరలను పైకి ఉంచి, బొటనవేలు మరియు ఉంగర వేళ్లతో పట్టుకోవలెను।
Lord Agni (in discourse to sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purāṇa narration frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Puja-vidhi","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Specifies selection criteria and hand-grip technique for kuśa blades used in ritual acts (prokṣaṇa, pavitra, ājya-handling), ensuring correctness of materials and mudrā-like handling.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Kuśa-lakṣaṇa and grahaṇa-vidhi (unbroken tips, node-less, prādeśa length; held with thumb and ring finger)","lookup_keywords":["kuśa-lakṣaṇa","akhaṇḍitāgra","nirgarbha","prādeśa-mātra","aṅguṣṭha-anāmikā"],"quick_summary":"Use two kuśa blades with intact tips and without nodes, each a span long; hold them with palms up, gripping with thumb and ring finger for ritual operations."}
Concept: Precision in material selection and bodily technique (kara-prayoga) is itself a form of discipline supporting sacred action.
Application: Select proper kuśa and adopt the specified grip to maintain continuity of rite and avoid procedural lapses.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Yajña & Homa Prayoga; Darbha/Kusha handling and ritual implements)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Two perfect kuśa blades (unbroken tips, node-less) of span length are shown; the priest holds them palms-up, pinched between thumb and ring finger, ready for ritual use.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, close-up of hands (palms up) holding two kuśa blades between thumb and ring finger, crisp botanical detail, subdued background with ritual floor lines.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, stylized hands presenting kuśa blades as sacred implements, gold accents on borders, rich colors, emphasis on purity and symmetry.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional diagram-like scene focusing on correct kuśa length (prādeśa) and grip (aṅguṣṭha-anāmikā), clean outlines and gentle shading.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, finely rendered fingers and grass texture, annotated feel with careful realism, minimal background, attention to the exact pinch grip."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhoopali","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ताभ्यामुत्तानपाणिभ्याम् = ताभ्याम् + उत्तान-पाणिभ्याम्; अङ्गुष्ठानामिकेन = अङ्गुष्ठ-अनामिकेन (द्वन्द्व), नासिक्य-सन्धि/संयोग.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 24 (implements and handling in pūjā/homa)
FAQs
It specifies the correct ritual-quality kuśa (unbroken tip, without nodes) and the exact span-length, along with the prescribed way to hold it (palms up, using thumb and ring finger) during homa/pujā actions.
Beyond theology, it preserves precise operational details of ritual technology—materials (kuśa quality), measurements (prādeśa), and manual technique (finger usage)—showing the text’s coverage of practical liturgical procedure.
Using properly prepared kuśa and correct handling is treated as ensuring ritual purity and accuracy; such correctness is traditionally held to support the efficacy (siddhi) of offerings and the intended purificatory merit of the rite.