Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 16
Trailokya-mohinī Śrī-Lakṣmī-ādi-pūjā and Durgā-yoga
Protective and Siddhi Rites
आवाहादिविसर्गान्तां मूर्ध्नि ध्यात्वार्चयेत् श्रियम् विल्वाज्याब्जपायसेन पृथक् योगः श्रिये भवेत्
āvāhādivisargāntāṃ mūrdhni dhyātvārcayet śriyam vilvājyābjapāyasena pṛthak yogaḥ śriye bhavet
ఆవాహనము నుండి విసర్గము వరకు, శిరస్సుపై శ్రీ (లక్ష్మీ)ని ధ్యానించి ఆరాధించాలి. బిల్వపత్రం, నెయ్యి, పద్మార్పణం, పాయసం—ఇవన్నీ వేర్వేరుగా సమర్పిస్తే శ్రీకి సంబంధించిన ప్రత్యేక యోగం సిద్ధిస్తుంది.
Lord Agni (in dialogue framework, instructing Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Puja-vidhi","practical_application":"Lakṣmī-upāsanā with nyāsa-like internal placement (on the crown) and complete ritual cycle from āvāhana to visarga; specifies distinct offerings for Śrī-siddhi.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Śrī Worship Cycle: Crown-Dhyana from Āvāhana to Visarga; Separate Offerings of Bilva, Ghee, Lotus, Pāyasa","lookup_keywords":["Śrī upāsanā","āvāhana","visarga","mūrdhni dhyāna","bilva ghṛta pāyasa"],"quick_summary":"Meditate on Lakṣmī at the crown and perform the full worship sequence from invocation to dismissal; offer bilva leaves, ghee, lotus, and pāyasa separately to complete the specific ritual-yoga for Śrī."}
Concept: Integration of internal worship (mūrdhni-dhyāna/nyāsa-bhāva) with external offerings and a complete ritual arc (āvāhana→visarga).
Application: Structure Lakṣmī-pūjā as a closed ritual loop; keep offerings distinct (not mixed) to preserve prayoga-specific intentionality.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Śrī/Lakṣmī-upāsanā and mantra-nyāsa style worship)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A Lakṣmī worship scene showing internal meditation at the crown (a subtle halo/lotus at the devotee’s head) and external offerings laid separately: bilva leaves, ghee lamp, lotus flowers, and pāyasa bowl; concluding with respectful visarga.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, devotee seated in meditation with a lotus-halo at the crown, Lakṣmī presence implied, offerings arranged in separate brass plates: bilva leaves, ghṛta lamp, lotus, pāyasa, temple lamp glow, traditional flat color fields","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, Lakṣmī on lotus with gold prabhavali, devotee below with crown-lotus motif, separate offering plates (bilva, ghee, lotus, pāyasa) highlighted with gold, ceremonial āvāhana-to-visarga narrative feel","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional clarity: labeled sequence icons for āvāhana and visarga, devotee’s crown with subtle lotus, neat arrangement of separate offerings, fine linework and soft shading","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, refined ritual interior, devotee meditating with a small luminous lotus at the crown, separate offerings in delicate bowls, priestly gestures indicating invocation and dismissal, intricate textiles and borders"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ध्यात्वार्चयेत् = dhyātvā + arcayet (sandhi: ā + a → ā).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 307 (Śrī/Lakṣmī-upāsanā and mantra-nyāsa style worship)
FAQs
It teaches a complete Śrī-pūjā sequence (from āvāhana to visarga) with a specific offering protocol—bilva, ghee, lotus, and pāyasa—made separately as the prescribed method (yoga) for Lakṣmī worship.
It preserves practical liturgical detail—visualization placement (mūrdhni-dhyāna), the full arc of ritual actions, and concrete naivedya/dravya lists—showing the Agni Purana’s coverage of applied temple/home worship alongside its many other disciplines.
By properly invoking, honoring, and ritually dismissing Śrī with pure offerings, the practitioner aligns with auspiciousness (śrī), seeking prosperity and merit through orderly, complete worship rather than partial or improper rite.