Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 16
Chapter 156 — द्रव्यशुद्धिः (Dravya-śuddhi) / Purification of Substances
पुष्पाणाञ्च फलानाञ्च प्रोक्षणाज्जलतो ऽखिलं
puṣpāṇāñca phalānāñca prokṣaṇājjalato 'khilaṃ
ดอกไม้และผลไม้ทั้งปวง ย่อมบริสุทธิ์โดยพิธีกรรมได้ด้วยการประพรมด้วยน้ำ
Lord Agni (instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Puja-vidhi","practical_application":"Ritual purification of offerings (flowers, fruits) before worship by sprinkling consecrated water (prokshana).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Prokshana-śuddhi of flowers and fruits","lookup_keywords":["prokshana","dravya-śuddhi","puṣpa-śuddhi","phala-śuddhi","jala-sprinkling"],"quick_summary":"Flowers and fruits intended for worship are ritually purified by sprinkling water; this is a simple, universally applicable śauca step in pūjā."}
Concept: External śauca (ritual cleanliness) as a prerequisite for offering and worship.
Application: Before naivedya/archana, sprinkle water over offerings and implements to render them fit (yogya) for devatā-arpana.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Ritual Procedures and Purificatory Rites)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A worshipper in a temple or home shrine sprinkles water from a small vessel over a plate of flowers and fruits arranged for offering.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, flat rich colors, devotee performing prokshana with a small kamaṇḍalu, lotus flowers and bananas on a brass plate, sanctum lamp glow, traditional ornamentation, sacred calm","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-leaf highlights on brass vessels and haloed deity in background, devotee sprinkling water over flowers and fruits, ornate arch, jewel tones, devotional domestic shrine setting","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, delicate linework, instructional clarity: hand holding spoon/kuśa sprinkling water, labeled ritual items (pātra, puṣpa, phala), soft pastel palette, minimal background","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, fine detailing of tray with fruits and garlands, attendant sprinkling water, patterned carpet, architectural niche, naturalistic shading, quiet courtly devotional scene"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पुष्पाणाञ्च = पुष्पाणाम् + च; फलानाञ्च = फलानाम् + च; प्रोक्षणाज्जलतो = प्रोक्षणात् + जलतः (त् + ज् → ज्ज्); 'खिलं = अखिलम् (अ-प्रत्यय after avagraha).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 156 (Dravyaśuddhi); Agni Purana 155–158 (Pūjā/śauca continuum)
FAQs
It teaches dravya-śuddhi: flowers and fruits intended for worship are ritually purified through prokṣaṇa—sprinkling them with water.
By prescribing a concrete, repeatable ritual technique (prokṣaṇa) for purifying worship-materials, it exemplifies the Agni Purana’s practical coverage of temple/household puja procedure alongside its many other disciplines.
Purifying offerings before worship removes ritual impurity (aśuddhi), supporting correctness of puja and thereby safeguarding the intended religious merit (puṇya) of the act.