Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 34
Chapter 72 — स्नानविशेषादिकथनम्
Special Rules of Bathing, Mantra-Purification, and Sandhyā
ततः शिवात्मकैर् मन्त्रैः कृत्वा तीर्थं शिवात्मकं मार्जनं संहितामन्त्रैस्तत्तोयेन समाचरेत्
tataḥ śivātmakair mantraiḥ kṛtvā tīrthaṃ śivātmakaṃ mārjanaṃ saṃhitāmantraistattoyena samācaret
จากนั้นทำให้น้ำตีรถะเป็นศิวะด้วยมนตร์อันมีศิวะเป็นแก่น แล้วพึงประกอบมารชนะ (การชำระและประพรม) ด้วยมนตร์แห่งสํหิตา โดยใช้น้ำนั้นเอง।
Lord Agni (narrating ritual procedure to Sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purāṇa’s instructional discourse)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Puja-vidhi","practical_application":"Teaches consecration of ritual water as Śiva-infused tīrtha and its use for mārjana (sprinkling/purificatory wiping) with Saṃhitā-mantras in Śaiva-leaning Sandhyā/ācāra.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Śivātmaka Tīrtha-sādhana and Saṃhitā-mantra Mārjana","lookup_keywords":["śivātmaka mantra","tīrtha consecration","mārjana","saṃhitā-mantra","prokṣaṇa"],"quick_summary":"Procedure: first empower water with Śiva-embodying mantras to make it ‘Śiva-tīrtha’; then perform mārjana using Saṃhitā-mantras with that same water for purification."}
Concept: Mantra transforms substance: water becomes Śiva-tattva-bearing tīrtha; purification (mārjana) is effected through mantra + consecrated medium.
Application: Before sprinkling or wiping for purity, consecrate water with Śiva-mantras; then recite Saṃhitā-mantras while applying that water to self/implements/space.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Śaiva tīrtha-śuddhi and mantra-mārjana procedures)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A practitioner holds a water vessel (pātra/kalaśa), recites Śiva-mantras to consecrate it, then sprinkles (mārjana) the sanctified water while chanting Saṃhitā-mantras.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, ritualist seated near a small altar, kalaśa and water bowl, stylized mantra-wave motifs around water, Śaiva symbols (tripuṇḍra, bilva) subtly present","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, priest with ornate vessel, gold-embossed aura around the water indicating consecration, rich temple interior, emphasis on sacred implements","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear stepwise depiction: consecration over water vessel then sprinkling action, fine lines, instructional clarity, minimal but precise ritual objects","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, intimate ritual scene with detailed vessel and droplets, calligraphic suggestion of mantra recitation, refined palette, calm devotional atmosphere"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: शिवात्मकैर् मन्त्रैः → शिव-आत्मकैः मन्त्रैः; संहितामन्त्रैस्तत्तोयेन → संहिता-मन्त्रैः तत्-तोयेन.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 72 (mārjana, mantra-śuddhi, kara-tīrtha context)
FAQs
It teaches the procedural sequence of Śaiva pūjā: first consecrate the tīrtha (ritual water) using Śiva-imbued mantras, then carry out mārjana (mantric cleansing/sprinkling) with Saṃhitā-mantras using that same water.
By preserving precise, step-by-step liturgical technique—how to prepare sanctified water and apply it in purification—this verse exemplifies the Agni Purāṇa’s practical manual-like coverage of temple/household ritual, mantra-application, and procedural orthopraxy.
Consecrating water with Śiva-mantras and performing mārjana is intended to remove ritual impurity (aśauca/doṣa), establish sanctity (śuddhi), and make the practitioner and the ritual space fit for successful worship and its merit-bearing results.