Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 21
Chapter 69 — स्नानविधानम्
Rules for Ritual Bathing / Snapanotsava-vidhi
बलिञ्च सर्वभूतेभ्यो भोजयेद्दत्तदक्षिणः देवैश् च मुनिभिर्भूपैर् देवं संस्थाप्य चेश्वराः
baliñca sarvabhūtebhyo bhojayeddattadakṣiṇaḥ devaiś ca munibhirbhūpair devaṃ saṃsthāpya ceśvarāḥ
เมื่อถวายบะลีแก่สรรพสัตว์ทั้งปวง และมอบทักษิณาตามกำหนดแล้ว พึงเลี้ยงอาหารผู้มาร่วมพิธี จากนั้นสถาปนาเทพเจ้า แล้วผู้เป็นเจ้าพิธีจึงปิดพิธีร่วมกับเหล่าเทพ ฤๅษี และพระราชาทั้งหลายให้ครบถ้วน
Lord Agni (narrating Agni Purana ritual procedure to the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Ritual completion ethics: bali to all beings, feeding guests/priests, giving dakṣiṇā, and concluding after proper deva-pratiṣṭhā with social and cosmic satisfaction.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Bali, bhojana, dakṣiṇā, and closure after deva-pratiṣṭhā","lookup_keywords":["bali to bhutas","dakshina","bhojana to invitees","deva-pratishtha","rite conclusion"],"quick_summary":"After installing the deity, offer bali to all beings, feed participants, and give dakṣiṇā—ensuring the rite concludes with due honor to all classes and with universal appeasement."}
Concept: Yajña as inclusive order: honoring devas, ṛṣis, rulers, guests, and bhūtas sustains ṛta/dharma and prevents ritual imbalance.
Application: Always include bali (bhūta-yajña), anna-dāna/atithi-satkara, and dakṣiṇā as mandatory closure steps after major pūjā/pratiṣṭhā.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Deva-pratishtha and Bali/Naivedya offerings)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"After deity installation, offerings are placed for all beings; guests and priests are fed; dakṣiṇā is given; the consecrated space feels settled and complete.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, temple courtyard after pratiṣṭhā: priest distributing bali portions at boundary points, patrons offering dakṣiṇā, rows of seated guests being served food on banana leaves, serene sacred ambiance.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central installed deity in shrine with gold embellishment, foreground: patron offering dakṣiṇā to priests, attendants carrying naivedya and bali trays, rich ornamentation and gold leaf.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional scene: labeled actions—bali at corners, feeding invitees, dakṣiṇā handover—near a newly installed deity pedestal; soft colors and precise gestures.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, royal patronage setting: king and priests near a shrine, distribution of gifts and food, detailed textiles and courtly order, subdued sacred mood."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: बलिञ्च = बलिम् + च (म् + च → ञ्च); भोजयेद्दत्तदक्षिणः = भोजयेत् + दत्तदक्षिणः (त् + द् → द्द्); मुनिभिर्भूपैः = मुनिभिः + भूपैः (ः + भ् → र्भ्); चेश्वराः = च + ईश्वराः (च + ई → चे).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 69 (pratiṣṭhā, bali, naivedya, dakṣiṇā)
FAQs
It prescribes the concluding protocol of a deity-installation rite: offer bali to all beings, feed participants/guests, and give dakṣiṇā—ensuring the ritual is sealed through propitiation, hospitality, and priestly remuneration.
It records practical liturgical procedure (pratiṣṭhā + bali + dakṣiṇā + bhojana), showing the text’s coverage of temple-ritual operations alongside its many other domains (law, polity, medicine, arts).
By satisfying all beings through bali and honoring priests/guests with food and dakṣiṇā, the rite is considered complete, removing ritual deficiency (nyūnatā) and generating merit (puṇya) through generosity and universal appeasement.