Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 35
Agnisthāpana-vidhi (Procedure for Establishing the Sacred Fire) and Protective Īśāna-kalpa Homa Sequences
अस्त्रमन्त्रेण निर्दग्धं वह्नौ दर्भं पुनः क्षिपेत् क्षिप्त्वा घृते कृतग्रन्थिकुशं प्रादेशसम्मितं
astramantreṇa nirdagdhaṃ vahnau darbhaṃ punaḥ kṣipet kṣiptvā ghṛte kṛtagranthikuśaṃ prādeśasammitaṃ
เมื่อเผาหญ้าดัรภะด้วยมนตร์อัสตระแล้ว พึงโยนหญ้าดัรภะลงในไฟอีกครั้ง จากนั้นพึงวางหญ้ากุศะที่ผูกปม ยาวหนึ่งคืบมือ ลงในเนยใส (ฆฤตะ)
Lord Agni (Agni Purana’s primary narrator) instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Homa-prayoga: preparing and re-offering darbha/kuśa with astra-mantra purification and measuring ritual implements correctly.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Astra-mantra śodhana of darbha and knotted kuśa (prādeśa-māna)","lookup_keywords":["astra-mantra","darbha","kuśa-granthi","prādeśa-māna","homa-vidhi"],"quick_summary":"Purify darbha by ‘burning’ it with the Astra-mantra and re-cast it into the fire; then prepare a knotted kuśa of prādeśa length and place it in ghee as part of havis-saṃskāra."}
Concept: Śuddhi (ritual purification) and māna (correct measure) as prerequisites for mantra-karman efficacy.
Application: Maintain strict cleanliness and standardized measures in homa materials to avoid doṣa in rite.
Khanda Section: Agneya-vidya / Homa-vidhi (Vedic fire ritual procedure and mantra-application)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A homa-kuṇḍa blazing; the officiant touches darbha with mantra-intent (astra-śodhana), re-casts it into fire, and prepares a prādeśa-length knotted kuśa dipped in ghee beside the ladle and ājya vessel.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, warm ochres and reds, a Vedic priest by a square homa-kunda, darbha bundle in hand, flames stylized, ritual vessels (ājya-pātra, sruva), knotted kuśa shown clearly, serene sacred ambience.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central homa-kunda with gold-leaf flames, priest in traditional attire holding darbha, ornate ājya vessel and sruva highlighted with gold work, knotted kuśa (granthi) emphasized, rich temple interior.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clean instructional composition: labeled-looking ritual objects (homa-kunda, sruva, ājya-pātra, darbha, prādeśa-length kuśa with knot), soft colors, precise hand gestures for casting into fire.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed courtly atelier depiction of a yajña scene: small square fire altar, priest performing darbha re-offering, close-up of knotted kuśa dipped in ghee, fine textiles, delicate flames, meticulous object detail."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: अस्त्रमन्त्रेण = अस्त्र-मन्त्रेण; कृतग्रन्थिकुशम् = कृत-ग्रन्थि-कुशम्; प्रादेशसम्मितम् = प्रादेश-सम्मितम्
Related Themes: Agni Purana 75 (Homa/Pūjā-vidhi sections on havis-saṃskāra, kuśa-prayoga, śodhana)
FAQs
It gives a precise homa-step: use the Astra-mantra to ritually ‘scorch/purify’ and then offer darbha into the fire, followed by preparing a hand-span knotted kuśa piece placed in ghee—standardized materials and measurements for correct ritual performance.
Beyond theology, it preserves operational ritual technology—mantra-application (Astra-mantra), liturgical materials (darbha/kuśa), and exact measurements (prādeśa). This procedural detail exemplifies the Agni Purana’s manual-like coverage of rites alongside broader dharma and knowledge systems.
The Astra-mantra and fire-contact function as purification and obstacle-clearing, while correctly prepared darbha/kuśa offerings uphold ritual accuracy (śuddhi and niyama), believed to ensure the rite’s efficacy and the performer’s merit through disciplined, fault-minimizing worship.