Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 60
Dīkṣāvidhi-kathana
Explanation of the Rite of Initiation
भक्तो विनीतः शारीरैर् गुणैः सर्वैः समन्वितः शिष्यो नातिधनी यस्तु स्थण्डिलेभ्यर्च्य दीक्षयेत्
bhakto vinītaḥ śārīrair guṇaiḥ sarvaiḥ samanvitaḥ śiṣyo nātidhanī yastu sthaṇḍilebhyarcya dīkṣayet
భక్తుడూ వినయవంతుడూ, శారీరక గుణాలన్నిటితో సమన్వితుడూ, అతిధనవంతుడు కాని శిష్యుని స్థండిలంపై ఆరాధించి దীক্ষించాలి.
Lord Agni (teaching the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Defines eligibility criteria for mantra-dīkṣā (bhakti, vinaya, bodily/ethical virtues, non-excessive wealth) and specifies initiation after worship on a consecrated sthaṇḍila altar.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Śiṣya-lakṣaṇa (Eligibility) for Mantra-Dīkṣā and Sthaṇḍila-Arcana","lookup_keywords":["śiṣya-lakṣaṇa","dīkṣā-adhikāra","bhakta-vinīta","sthaṇḍila","ācārya"],"quick_summary":"Initiate a disciple who is devoted, humble, and virtuous, avoiding candidates of excessive wealth; perform the rite after worship on the prepared ground-altar (sthaṇḍila)."}
Concept: Adhikāra (fitness) governs transmission of mantra; virtues and humility protect the rite from misuse and commodification.
Application: Screen disciples by conduct and temperament; treat dīkṣā as a responsibility, not a transaction—hence caution regarding ‘excessive wealth’ and its attendant distractions/power dynamics.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Diksha & Guru–Shishya initiation rules)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A consecrated sthaṇḍila marked with lines and lotus, the ācārya worships and then initiates a humble disciple seated lower, hands folded; symbols of modesty and restraint are emphasized over opulence.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, earthen altar with sacred markings, ācārya performing arcana, disciple in simple attire with añjali, serene didactic mood.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold accents on altar markings and deity lamp, disciple depicted plainly to contrast with ritual sanctity, ācārya bestowing mantra-dīkṣā gesture.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clear depiction of sthaṇḍila geometry and initiation posture, minimal background, instructional emphasis on eligibility and rite setting.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, intimate teacher-disciple scene on a patterned ground-altar, restrained luxury, focus on humility through body language and composition."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: शारीरैर्→शारीरैः; नातिधनी→न अतिधनी; स्थण्डिलेभ्यर्च्य→स्थण्डिलेभ्यः अर्च्य.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 27 (guru-śiṣya rules; dīkṣā prerequisites; sthaṇḍila and pūjā setup)
FAQs
It gives eligibility criteria for receiving dīkṣā (initiation) and prescribes that initiation be performed after worship on a prepared ritual ground-altar (sthaṇḍila).
By codifying practical ritual procedure and disciple-qualification norms, it shows the Agni Purana’s coverage of applied religious law and ceremonial technique alongside its many other subjects.
It emphasizes purity of character and humility as prerequisites for mantra transmission, implying that proper eligibility and correct ritual setting safeguard the sanctity and efficacy of initiation.