Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 46
Chapter 31 — मार्जनविधानं
The Procedure of Mārjana / Purificatory Sprinkling
शान्तिरस्तु शिवञ्चास्तु दुष्टमस्य प्रशाम्यतु वासुदेवशरीरोत्थैः कुशैर् निर्मथितं मया
śāntirastu śivañcāstu duṣṭamasya praśāmyatu vāsudevaśarīrotthaiḥ kuśair nirmathitaṃ mayā
ขอให้มีสันติ ขอให้มีสิริมงคล ความชั่วร้ายในสิ่งนี้จงสงบระงับ—ข้าพเจ้าได้ขัดถูให้คลายฤทธิ์ด้วยหญ้ากุศะซึ่งกล่าวกันว่าเกิดจากพระวรกายของวาสุเทวะ
Lord Agni (instructing the ritual procedure to the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Puja-vidhi","practical_application":"Śānti–rakṣā utterance during/after purification, using kuśa as a consecrated implement to pacify doṣa/evil influences in the rite and environment.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Śānti-Rakṣā with Kuśa as Vāsudeva-sambhūta","lookup_keywords":["śānti","rakṣā","kuśa","Vāsudeva","duṣṭa-praśamana"],"quick_summary":"Invokes peace and auspiciousness, then ritually neutralizes harmful influences by rubbing/cleansing with kuśa identified as arising from Vāsudeva."}
Alamkara Type: Anuprāsa (śānti/śiva; praśāmya)
Concept: Apotropaic purification: sacred identification (kuśa as Vāsudeva-linked) converts a simple object into a protective medium.
Application: Use sanctified materials with mantra and intention to ‘cool’ disturbances (duṣṭa) in domestic/temple rites.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Shanti & Raksha-mantra / ritual pacification)
Primary Rasa: śānta
Secondary Rasa: bhayānaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A practitioner holding a bundle of kuśa, gently rubbing/cleansing a ritual space or person while reciting ‘śāntir astu, śivaṃ cāstu’, with a calm protective aura.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, priest with kuśa bundle performing rakṣā, circular protective mandala motifs, subdued greens and reds, serene faces, stylized sacred space.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, central auspicious inscription ‘Śāntiḥ’, priest with kuśa, gold leaf highlighting kuśa tips and halo-like protection, temple interior elements.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear depiction of kuśa bundle and rubbing action, labeled ritual implements, soft pastel palette, instructional composition.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, intimate indoor ritual scene, detailed textiles and vessels, priest using kuśa to cleanse, attendants watching, fine linework and naturalistic shading."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: śāntirastu → śāntiḥ astu; śivañcāstu → śivam ca astu; kuśair → kuśaiḥ; vāsudevaśarīrotthaiḥ → vāsudeva-śarīra-utthaiḥ.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 31 (Kuśāpamārjana rites)
FAQs
It gives a śānti-prayoga: a pacificatory utterance paired with the ritual act of nirmathana (frictional rubbing) using kuśa grass to neutralize duṣṭa (harmful/inauspicious) influences.
Beyond mythology, it preserves applied ritual technology—specific materials (kuśa), a procedural action (nirmathita), and a formulaic blessing (śānti/śiva)—showing the text’s coverage of practical liturgy and protection rites alongside other disciplines.
It frames purification as both intention and action: invoking peace/auspiciousness while ritually removing negativity, aiming at the settling of harmful karmic or inauspicious effects and restoring ritual purity.