Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 38
Chapter 72 — स्नानविशेषादिकथनम्
Special Rules of Bathing, Mantra-Purification, and Sandhyā
स्वाहान्तशिवमन्त्रेण कुशपुष्पाक्षतान्वितं शिवायार्घ्याञ्जलिन्दत्वा गायत्रीं शक्तितो जपेत्
svāhāntaśivamantreṇa kuśapuṣpākṣatānvitaṃ śivāyārghyāñjalindatvā gāyatrīṃ śaktito japet
ด้วยมนตร์พระศิวะที่ลงท้ายว่า “สวาหา” พร้อมด้วยหญ้ากุศะ ดอกไม้ และอักษตะ (ข้าวสารไม่หัก) เมื่อถวายอรฆยะด้วยอัญชลีแด่พระศิวะแล้ว พึงสวดชปคายตรีตามกำลังตน।
Lord Agni (instructing sage Vasiṣṭha in ritual procedure)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Shaiva pūjā sequence: offer arghya to Śiva with ritual materials while using a svāhā-ending Śiva-mantra, then recite Gāyatrī as capacity permits.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Śiva-arghya with svāhā-ending mantra; Gāyatrī-japa","lookup_keywords":["śiva-mantra","svāhā","arghya","kuśa-puṣpa-akṣata","gāyatrī-japa"],"quick_summary":"Offer arghya to Śiva with kuśa, flowers, and akṣata while reciting a Śiva-mantra ending in svāhā; afterward, perform Gāyatrī-japa according to one’s strength and time."}
Concept: Mantra + upacāra (offerings) + regulated japa forms a complete worship-technology; ‘yathāśakti’ emphasizes sustainable practice over strain.
Application: Maintain consistency: simple arghya with correct materials and mantra, then steady Gāyatrī-japa within one’s capacity.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Shaiva Mantra-japa and Arghya procedures)
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A devotee offers arghya to a Śiva-liṅga with cupped hands, kuśa grass, flowers, and akṣata visible; then sits for Gāyatrī-japa with a rosary.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: Śiva-liṅga shrine with lamp glow; devotee offering arghya with kuśa and flowers, then seated in japa posture; rich earthy tones, sacred stillness.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: Śiva-liṅga adorned, gold leaf on ornaments and lamp; devotee holding arghya añjali with kuśa-puṣpa-akṣata, radiant devotional focus, ornate arch framing.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: precise depiction of ritual items—kuśa, flowers, akṣata, arghya vessel; devotee transitions to japa, clean composition suitable for instructional illustration.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: intimate temple alcove, detailed textiles and vessels; devotee offering arghya to Śiva, then counting beads for Gāyatrī, fine architectural detailing."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: svāhāntaśivamantreṇa = svāhā-anta-śiva-mantrena; kuśapuṣpākṣatānvitaṃ = kuśa-puṣpa-akṣata-anvitam; śivāyārghyāñjalindatvā = śivāya + arghya-añjalim + datvā (a+a sandhi; m+d → nd orthographic).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 72 (Pūjā-vidhi: arghya and japa sequence); Agni Purana mantra and pūjā procedural chapters (general)
FAQs
It teaches a specific Shaiva japa-sequence: use a Śiva mantra ending in “svāhā,” prepare ritual accompaniments (kuśa, flowers, akṣata), offer arghya in añjali to Śiva, and then perform Gāyatrī-japa as per one’s capacity.
It exemplifies the Agni Purana’s manual-like coverage of practical worship—detailing implements, offerings, and mantra-application—alongside its broader subjects, thereby functioning as a compact ritual handbook within an encyclopedic Purana.
The verse frames worship as disciplined, respectful offering (arghya) followed by mantra-recitation (japa), implying purification and merit through correct ritual conduct and sincere practice within one’s means (śaktitaḥ).