Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 10
Chapter 35: पवित्राधिवासनादिविधिः
Method of Consecrating the Pavitra and Related Rites
गन्धपुष्पाक्षतोपेतं पवित्रञ्चाखिलेर्पयेत् पवित्रं वैष्णवं तेजो महापातकनाशनं
gandhapuṣpākṣatopetaṃ pavitrañcākhilerpayet pavitraṃ vaiṣṇavaṃ tejo mahāpātakanāśanaṃ
సుగంధం, పుష్పాలు, అక్షతలతో కూడిన పవిత్రాన్ని సంపూర్ణంగా సమర్పించాలి. ఈ వైష్ణవ పవిత్రం తేజోమయ శక్తి; అది మహాపాతకాలను కూడా నశింపజేస్తుంది।
Lord Agni (narrating Purāṇic ritual procedure, traditionally to Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vrata","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Offering of Vaiṣṇava pavitra (consecrated thread/garland) along with gandha, flowers, and akṣata as an expiatory and sanctifying act within worship; used for purification and merit restoration.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Vaiṣṇava Pavitra: Mahāpātaka-Nāśaka Tejas","lookup_keywords":["pavitra","vaishnava","mahapataka-nashana","gandha-pushpa-akshata","tejas"],"quick_summary":"Offer the pavitra together with fragrance, flowers, and unbroken rice, dedicating it fully; the Vaiṣṇava pavitra is taught as a radiant power capable of destroying even great sins."}
Concept: Pavitra as a dhārmic purifier: ritual dedication and sanctified offering function as pāpa-kṣaya, including mahāpātaka expiation within Vaiṣṇava frame.
Application: In worship, include pavitra-offering with standard upacāras as a formal act of purification and recommitment to dharma.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Vaishnava purification and offering rites)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A consecrated pavitra thread/garland being offered at a Vaiṣṇava altar along with sandal paste, flowers, and akṣata; a subtle aura of tejas signifying purification from great sins.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, priest offering a pavitra garland before a Vishnu shrine; bowls of gandha, flowers, akshata; golden tejas aura painted as stylized radiance; bold lines and sacred symmetry.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, Vishnu altar with pavitra garland highlighted in gold; thick gold-leaf aura around the offering; vivid flowers and akshata; ornate lamps and rich textile backdrop.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear depiction of pavitra (thread/garland) and accompanying upacāras laid out neatly; gentle glow indicating tejas; instructional clarity with refined detailing.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, intimate shrine scene: hands offering a delicate thread-garland; fine rendering of grains and petals; soft luminous wash around the offering; intricate architectural border."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Madhyamavati","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पवित्रञ्चाखिलेर्पयेत् = पवित्रम् + च + अखिले + अर्पयेत् (म् + च → ञ्च; अखिले + अर्पयेत् → अखिलेर्पयेत्). गन्धपुष्पाक्षतोपेतम् = गन्ध + पुष्प + अक्षत + उपेतम् (समास/सन्धि).
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Pavitra-vidhi and upacāra lists; pāpa/mahāpātaka-kṣaya statements in Vaiṣṇava rites (35.8–35.10 cluster)
FAQs
It prescribes the correct method of offering the pavitra (sanctifying thread/garland) in Vaiṣṇava worship—together with gandha, puṣpa, and akṣata—and dedicating it fully as an act of ritual purification.
It exemplifies the Agni Purana’s practical coverage of detailed pūjā-vidhi (ritual protocol), alongside its many other domains—showing that the text functions as a manual of applied religious practice as well as a compendium of wider knowledge.
The verse attributes to the Vaiṣṇava pavitra a purifying tejas that can destroy even grave sins (mahāpātakas), presenting the offering as a potent act of expiation and sanctification.