Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 24
Chapter 72 — स्नानविशेषादिकथनम्
Special Rules of Bathing, Mantra-Purification, and Sandhyā
सन्ध्याविधिं प्रवक्ष्यामि मन्त्रैर् भिन्नैः समं गुह संवीक्ष्य त्रिः पिवेदम्बु ब्रह्मतीर्थेन शङ्करैः
sandhyāvidhiṃ pravakṣyāmi mantrair bhinnaiḥ samaṃ guha saṃvīkṣya triḥ pivedambu brahmatīrthena śaṅkaraiḥ
ดูก่อนคุหะ เราจักกล่าววิธีสันธยา พร้อมด้วยมนต์ที่แตกต่างกัน ครั้นเพ่งดูในแอ่งของฝ่ามือที่ประนมแล้ว พึงจิบน้ำสามครั้งด้วยพรหมตีรถะ (โคนหัวแม่มือ)
Lord Agni (teaching the ritual procedure, in the Agni Purana’s instructional mode)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vrata","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Sandhyā-vandana procedure: ācamana by sipping water thrice while focusing gaze into joined palms; using brahma-tīrtha (base of thumb) as the contact point for sipping.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Sandhyā-vidhi: ācamana with brahma-tīrtha (three sips)","lookup_keywords":["sandhyā-vandana","ācamana","brahma-tīrtha","triḥ-pibed-ambu","añjali"],"quick_summary":"In Sandhyā, after looking into the hollow of joined palms, sip water three times using the brahma-tīrtha (base of the thumb), alongside the appropriate mantras."}
Concept: Nitya-karma: daily twilight observance sustains inner and social order through regular śauca and mantra.
Application: Standardize daily practice: correct hand-position (brahma-tīrtha), correct count (three sips), and mindful attention (gaze into palms) to avoid procedural lapses.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Sandhya-vandana / Daily twilight ritual procedure)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"At twilight, a practitioner performs sandhyā: hands joined forming a hollow (añjali), eyes focused into the palms, then sipping water three times using the base of the thumb (brahma-tīrtha).","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, twilight gradient background, figure in profile with añjali near face, stylized water drops, minimal temple courtyard elements, calm sacred atmosphere.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, sandhyā performer with gold halo, glowing dusk sky, gold detailing on water vessel and borders, crisp hand gesture emphasizing brahma-tīrtha.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional clarity on hand anatomy: base of thumb highlighted subtly, three sip sequence implied, soft colors and fine outlines, serene dawn/dusk setting.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, riverside or courtyard at dusk, detailed garments and lota (water pot), precise depiction of hand posture and sipping, delicate sky wash."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सन्ध्या+विधिम् → सन्ध्याविधिम्; मन्त्रैः+भिन्नैः → मन्त्रैर् भिन्नैः (र्-आदेशः); पिबेत्+अम्बु → पिवेदम्बु (त्+अ → द्; पिबेत्→पिवेद्); ब्रह्म+तीर्थेन → ब्रह्मतीर्थेन
Related Themes: Agni Purana 72 (sandhyā and snāna continuum); Agni Purana sections on nitya-karma and mantra usage
FAQs
It teaches Sandhyā-vidhi essentials: mantra-specific practice and the ācamana method—sipping water three times using the brahma-tīrtha (base of the thumb).
By preserving precise procedural details (hand positions, number of sips, and mantra-based differentiation), it functions as a practical ritual manual alongside the Purana’s many other technical subjects.
Ācamana with correct tīrtha and repetition is a standard purification act, preparing the practitioner for mantra-recitation and worship by ritually cleansing body and intention.