Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 30
Chapter 34 — होमादिविधिः
The Procedure for Homa and Related Rites
प्रणीतां स्थापयेदग्रे द्रव्याणाञ्चैव मध्यतः प्रोक्षणीमद्भिः सम्पूर्य प्रार्च्य दक्षे तु विन्यसेत्
praṇītāṃ sthāpayedagre dravyāṇāñcaiva madhyataḥ prokṣaṇīmadbhiḥ sampūrya prārcya dakṣe tu vinyaset
ప్రణీతా పాత్రను ముందుగా ఉంచి, ద్రవ్యాలను మధ్యలో అమర్చాలి. తరువాత ప్రోక్షణీని నీటితో నింపి, దానిని ఆరాధించి కుడి (దక్షిణ) వైపున ఉంచాలి.
Lord Agni (instructional narration to sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purana dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vrata","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Gives spatial protocol: praṇītā placed in front, materials in the middle, prokṣaṇī filled and worshipped then placed to the right/south—ensuring correct ritual geometry and movement flow during sprinkling.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Pātra-sthāpana-dikkrama: praṇītā in front, dravya in middle, prokṣaṇī to the right","lookup_keywords":["praṇītā agre","dravya madhyataḥ","prokṣaṇī dakṣiṇe","pātra-sthāpana","prokṣaṇa"],"quick_summary":"Arrange the ritual space with praṇītā ahead, offerings centered, and the prokṣaṇī—after filling and honoring—placed on the right for efficient sprinkling and correct directional observance."}
Concept: Dik (direction) and krama (sequence) are integral to yajña as a disciplined technology of the sacred.
Application: Maintain consistent right/left placement of tools to prevent procedural errors during prokṣaṇa and offerings.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Yajna/Purohita Karma: ritual placement and sprinkling implements)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A top-down-like depiction of the altar area: praṇītā vessel placed at the front edge, offerings centered, and the prokṣaṇī vessel set to the right after being filled and ritually honored.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural with clear spatial layout: front-positioned praṇītā, central dravya trays, right-side prokṣaṇī; priest gesturing in worship before placing the vessel; stylized compass-like east orientation.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, symmetrical altar with gold-highlighted vessels; priest placing prokṣaṇī to the right; central offerings neatly arranged; luminous agni behind.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style instructional diagram feel: clean arrangement showing 'front-middle-right' placement; priest in profile; subtle labels implied by composition.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed floor plan perspective: vessels and offerings arranged with geometric precision; priest placing the prokṣaṇī on the right; delicate architectural frame."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: द्रव्याणाम् + च + एव → द्रव्याणाञ्चैव; प्रोक्षणीम् + अद्भिः → प्रोक्षणीमद्भिः.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 34 (pātra-krama and prokṣaṇa usage)
FAQs
It teaches the correct vinyāsa (ritual layout): placing the praṇītā in front, keeping the dravyas centrally, filling the prokṣaṇī with water, worshipping it, and positioning it to the right for sprinkling operations.
By preserving precise operational details of ritual logistics—names of specialized vessels, their functions, and directional placement—it functions like a practical manual embedded within a Purāṇic compendium.
Correct placement and consecration of the sprinkling water supports śauca (ritual purity) and ensures the rite is performed in an orderly, dharma-aligned manner, which is traditionally held to safeguard the intended merit (puṇya) of the ceremony.