Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 1
Chapter 76 — चण्डपूजाकथनम्
Narration of the Worship of Caṇḍa/Caṇḍeśa
हः गणेभ्य उ इति ग, चिह्नितपुस्तकपाठः हां ऋपिभ्य इति ङ, चिह्नितपुस्तकपाठः वायव्यामिति ग, चिह्नितपुस्तकपाठः नैरृत इति ङ, चिह्नितपुस्तकपाठः अथ षट्सप्ततितमो ऽध्यायः चण्दपूजाकथनं ईश्वर उवाच ततः शिवान्तिकङ्गत्वा पूजाहोमादिकं मम गृहाण भगवन् पुण्यफलमित्यभिधाय च
haḥ gaṇebhya u iti ga, cihnitapustakapāṭhaḥ hāṃ ṛpibhya iti ṅa, cihnitapustakapāṭhaḥ vāyavyāmiti ga, cihnitapustakapāṭhaḥ nairṛta iti ṅa, cihnitapustakapāṭhaḥ atha ṣaṭsaptatitamo 'dhyāyaḥ caṇdapūjākathanaṃ īśvara uvāca tataḥ śivāntikaṅgatvā pūjāhomādikaṃ mama gṛhāṇa bhagavan puṇyaphalamityabhidhāya ca
“หะห์—แด่หมู่คณะคณะ (คณะเทพ)” เป็นบทอ่านในฉบับที่ทำเครื่องหมาย; “หาง—แด่ฤๅษีทั้งหลาย” เป็นบทอ่านในฉบับที่ทำเครื่องหมายอีกฉบับหนึ่ง. “ในทิศวายวะ (ตะวันตกเฉียงเหนือ)” เป็นบทอ่านหนึ่ง; “ในทิศไนฤต (ตะวันตกเฉียงใต้)” เป็นบทอ่านอีกหนึ่ง. บัดนี้เริ่มบทที่ 76 ว่าด้วยการบูชาจัณฑะ. พระผู้เป็นเจ้าตรัสว่า: “ต่อจากนั้น เมื่อเข้าไปใกล้พระศิวะและประกอบพิธีบูชา โหมะ และอื่น ๆ แล้ว จงกล่าวว่า ‘ข้าแต่ภควัน ขอทรงรับการบูชาและการบูชาไฟของข้าพเจ้าเป็นผลแห่งบุญ’” แล้วกล่าวดังนี้…
Īśvara (the Lord; here in a Śaiva frame, i.e., Śiva as speaker within the chapter heading context)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Puja-vidhi","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Text-critical and ritual guidance: variant readings for mantra/directional assignment, then commencement of Caṇḍa-pūjā narrative and the formal request to Śiva to accept pūjā and homa.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Caṇḍa-pūjā commencement and manuscript variants (Haḥ/Hāṃ; vāyavya/nairṛta)","lookup_keywords":["chanda puja","haḥ gaṇebhyaḥ","hāṃ ṛṣibhyaḥ","vāyavya nairṛta variant","śiva acceptance formula"],"quick_summary":"Notes variant readings for seed/mantra allocation and direction; then introduces the Caṇḍa worship chapter, including the formal speech-act requesting Śiva to accept worship and oblations as meritorious."}
Concept: Ritual efficacy depends on correct mantra transmission; acknowledging variants signals fidelity to paramparā while preserving the intent—devotion and proper offering to Śiva.
Application: When manuscripts differ, maintain consistent ritual logic (directional placement and recipient class—Gaṇas/Ṛṣis) and conclude with a clear acceptance-prayer to the deity.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Shiva/Tantric worship procedures)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: raudra
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A scribe-like marginal note scene showing two manuscripts with different marked readings (Haḥ/Hāṃ; vāyavya/nairṛta), transitioning to a priest approaching Śiva’s shrine and performing pūjā and homa, then speaking a formal acceptance prayer.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: split-panel—left shows palm-leaf manuscripts with red/black markings; right shows Śiva shrine with priest offering into homa fire; bold outlines, sacred ambiance.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: Śiva as central icon with gold halo; priest with homa ladle; side vignette of palm-leaf manuscript; rich gold embossing on shrine ornaments.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: instructional illustration—two variant text boxes and arrows to ritual placement (NW vs SW); then a calm depiction of priest reciting acceptance formula before Śiva; fine linework.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: scholar-priest comparing manuscripts in a library corner, then moving to a pavilion shrine with a small fire altar; intricate textiles, architectural detail, restrained palette."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: Text contains editorial notes ‘चिह्नितपुस्तकपाठः’ and bīja-syllables. शिवान्तिकङ्गत्वा read as शिवान्तिकम् + गत्वा. षट्सप्ततितमोऽध्यायः = षट्सप्ततितमः + अध्यायः. पुण्यफलमित्यभिधाय = पुण्यफलम् + इति + अभिधाय.
Related Themes: Agni Purana: preceding dikpala/bali sections (context); Agni Purana: mantra-bheda/nyāsa and mudrā sections (for seed syllables and placements); Agni Purana: Śaiva pūjā and homa procedures (elsewhere in pūjā-vidhi)
FAQs
It introduces a Caṇḍa-pūjā context and gives a ritual speech-act: after approaching Śiva and performing pūjā and homa, the practitioner formally offers the rite’s merit (puṇya-phala) to the deity for acceptance; it also preserves manuscript variants about mantric syllables and directional placement (vāyavya/nairṛta).
Beyond theology, it records practical liturgical mechanics—seed-syllables, recipients (Gaṇas/Ṛṣis), and dik-orientation—along with critical manuscript notes, showing the Agni Purana’s compendium-style preservation of ritual variants and implementation details.
By explicitly dedicating the performed worship and fire-offerings to Śiva as ‘puṇya-phala,’ the act is framed as merit-bearing and sanctifying, aligning the ritual with devotional surrender and the transfer/confirmation of religious merit.