Agni Purana — Veda-vidhana & Vamsha, Shloka 1
Vināyaka-snāna (The Vinayaka Bath) — Obstacle-Removal and Consecratory Bathing Rite
इत्य् आग्नेये महापुराणे दिक्पालादिस्नानं नाम चतुःषष्ठ्यधिकद्विशततमो ऽध्यायः अथ पञ्चषष्ट्यधिकद्विशततमो ऽध्यायः विनायकस्नानं पुष्कर उवाच विनायकोपसृष्टानां स्नानं सर्वकरं वदे विनायकः कर्मविघ्नसिद्ध्यर्थं विनियोजितः
ity āgneye mahāpurāṇe dikpālādisnānaṃ nāma catuḥṣaṣṭhyadhikadviśatatamo 'dhyāyaḥ atha pañcaṣaṣṭyadhikadviśatatamo 'dhyāyaḥ vināyakasnānaṃ puṣkara uvāca vināyakopasṛṣṭānāṃ snānaṃ sarvakaraṃ vade vināyakaḥ karmavighnasiddhyarthaṃ viniyojitaḥ
ఇట్లు ఆగ్నేయ మహాపురాణంలో ‘దిక్పాలాది-స్నానం’ అనే 264వ అధ్యాయం ముగిసింది. ఇప్పుడు 265వ అధ్యాయం—‘వినాయక-స్నానం’ ప్రారంభం. పుష్కరుడు అన్నాడు—వినాయకబాధితులకు సర్వఫలప్రదమైన స్నానవిధిని నేను వివరిస్తాను; వినాయకుడు కర్మలకు విఘ్నం కలిగించి, వాటి సిద్ధి/పరిణతి కోసం నియమించబడ్డాడు.
Puṣkara
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vrata","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Ritual bath (snāna-prayoga) specifically aimed at pacifying Vināyaka-related obstacles and restoring smooth completion of undertakings.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Vināyaka-snana for removal of karmic obstacles (vighna-śānti)","lookup_keywords":["vinayaka-snana","vighna-shanti","snana-prayoga","karmavighna","puja-vidhi"],"quick_summary":"Introduces a dedicated bathing rite for those troubled by Vināyaka (obstacle-causing graha/deity-function), positioning the practice as universally effective for clearing impediments to actions."}
Concept: Vighna is treated as a functional cosmic principle administered by Vināyaka; purification and propitiation are prescribed to realign action with auspicious flow.
Application: Before important rites, travel, marriage, trade, or examinations, perform obstacle-clearing observances (snāna/śānti) to stabilize intention and execution.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Snana-prayoga / Ritual Bathing and Purificatory Rites)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritual manual-like scene: Puṣkara introducing the Vināyaka bath rite; a practitioner preparing water vessels and offerings to remove obstacles.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, sage Puṣkara teaching disciples, ritual vessels (kalasha), water pot, lamps, subtle Vināyaka presence as guardian of thresholds, warm temple interior palette, bold contours","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, seated sage with palm-leaf manuscript, Vināyaka motif on a small pedestal, gold-leaf ornamentation around ritual vessels and arch, symmetrical devotional composition","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional layout of snāna items: kalasha, darbha, conch, lamps; Puṣkara pointing to sequence steps; delicate colors and precise detailing","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, scholarly assembly with manuscript, attendants arranging bathing implements, architectural pavilion, fine textile patterns, restrained devotional symbolism"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: इत्याग्नेये = इति + आग्नेये; द्विशततमोऽध्यायः = द्विशततमः + अध्यायः; विनायकोपसृष्टानाम् = विनायक + उपसृष्टानाम्; सिद्ध्यर्थम् = सिद्धि + अर्थम् (समास).
Related Themes: Agni Purana Puja-vidhi: Dikpāla-snana chapter (264); Agni Purana Puja-vidhi: Vināyaka-snana chapter (265)
FAQs
It introduces the Vināyaka-snāna—an applied purification rite prescribed for those experiencing Vināyaka-related affliction (vināyaka-doṣa), framed as a practical remedy for ritual/karma obstacles.
By shifting from a chapter on Dikpāla-related bathing rites to a specialized Vināyaka-focused snāna, it exemplifies the Agni Purāṇa’s manual-like cataloging of targeted ritual procedures for distinct spiritual/ritual contingencies.
It treats obstacles (vighna) affecting actions and rites as addressable through prescribed purification, positioning snāna as a corrective act that restores auspiciousness and supports successful completion (siddhi) of intended karmas.