Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 15
Dīkṣāvidhi-kathana
Explanation of the Rite of Initiation
शिष्यैः सह चतुर्थं तु गुरुरद्याद्विशुद्धये नारायणेन सम्मन्त्र्य सप्तधा क्षीरवृक्षजम्
śiṣyaiḥ saha caturthaṃ tu gururadyādviśuddhaye nārāyaṇena sammantrya saptadhā kṣīravṛkṣajam
ส่วนที่สี่ให้คุรุรับประทานร่วมกับศิษย์ทั้งหลายเพื่อความบริสุทธิ์ เมื่อสวดมนต์นารายณะกำกับแล้ว จึงแบ่งยางน้ำนมจากไม้ที่มียางขาวเป็นเจ็ดส่วนและบริโภค
Lord Agni (in narration to a sage, traditionally Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vrata","secondary_vidya":"Ayurveda","practical_application":"Initiatory/ritual purification by consuming the fourth share with disciples after mantra-invocation of Nārāyaṇa; use of a latex-bearing tree’s milky exudate (kṣīra-vṛkṣaja) divided into seven portions as a regulated purificatory intake.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Purificatory partaking: fourth share with Nārāyaṇa-mantra and kṣīra-vṛkṣa exudate (sevenfold)","lookup_keywords":["viśuddhi","kṣīra-vṛkṣa","kṣīra-vṛkṣaja","saptadhā","Nārāyaṇa-mantra"],"quick_summary":"For purification, the guru with disciples consumes the fourth portion after invoking Nārāyaṇa; the milky exudate from a latex-bearing tree is taken in seven regulated parts, emphasizing measured, sanctified intake."}
Concept: Śuddhi through regulated consumption (niyama) combined with mantra—outer discipline supporting inner clarity.
Application: In initiatory observances, keep food/ritual remnants apportioned, consumed collectively under guidance, and accompanied by mantra to reinforce saṅkalpa and restraint.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Ritual Purification and Initiatory Observances)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A guru seated with disciples in a ritual hall, after homa, dividing a milky exudate into seven small portions and consuming the fourth share with a Nārāyaṇa invocation.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, guru and disciples seated in semicircle, small bowls arranged in seven, white milky substance depicted, lamp-lit yajña-śālā, Vaishnava symbols, flat stylized faces and ornate borders.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, guru central with gold halo, disciples around, seven small cups on a tray with gold embossing, conch and chakra motifs, rich reds/greens, gold-leaf highlights on vessels.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional composition: tray with seven portions clearly shown, guru indicating the fourth portion, disciples attentive, soft colors and fine linework, captions for ‘saptadhā’ and ‘Nārāyaṇa’.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, refined interior with carpets, guru distributing seven portions from a small vessel, disciples in attentive poses, delicate rendering of bowls and calligraphic mantra panel ‘Nārāyaṇa’."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Anandabhairavi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: गुरुरद्याद्विशुद्धये = गुरुः + अद्यात् + विशुद्धये
Related Themes: Agni Purana 27 (Ritual purification and initiatory observances)
FAQs
It gives a precise śuddhi (purification) protocol: the guru, together with disciples, consecrates an item from a latex-bearing tree by Nārāyaṇa-mantra and consumes a designated portion (the “fourth share”), with the substance arranged in seven parts.
It exemplifies the text’s procedural detail—combining mantra-application, portioning rules (fourth share; sevenfold division), and material specifications (kṣīra-vṛkṣaja)—showing how the Agni Purana preserves practical ritual manuals alongside theology.
The act is explicitly aimed at viśuddhi (inner and ritual purity); invoking Nārāyaṇa and following measured portions frames the consumption as a sanctified rite that supports eligibility for further worship, vows, or initiatory practices.