Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 12
Chapter 81 — समयदीक्षाविधानम्
Procedure for Samaya Initiation
एका क्रियावती तत्र कुण्डमण्डलपूर्विका मनोव्यापारमात्रेण या सा ज्ञानवती मता
ekā kriyāvatī tatra kuṇḍamaṇḍalapūrvikā manovyāpāramātreṇa yā sā jñānavatī matā
ในบรรดานั้น แบบหนึ่งคือ ‘กริยาวตี’ ซึ่งเริ่มด้วยการจัดเตรียมกุณฑะและมณฑละ ส่วนแบบที่กระทำด้วยกิจแห่งใจเท่านั้น ถือว่าเป็น ‘ชญานวตี’ (แนวแห่งญาณ).
Lord Agni (teaching sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purāṇa’s instructional dialogue)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Philosophy","practical_application":"Distinguishing outer ritual (kriyāvatī: kuṇḍa/maṇḍala-based) from inner mental practice (jñānavatī: manomaya), guiding practitioners to appropriate methods.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Kriyāvatī vs Jñānavatī Sādhana (Outer Rite and Inner Mental Worship)","lookup_keywords":["kriyāvatī","jñānavatī","kuṇḍa","maṇḍala","mānasa-pūjā"],"quick_summary":"One mode of practice is external and ritual-technical (fire-pit and maṇḍala); the other is internal, performed by mental operation alone, and is classed as knowledge-oriented."}
Concept: Sādhana has an outer (kriyā) and inner (jñāna/mānasa) modality; mental worship can be complete in itself when properly grounded.
Application: If external resources are limited, cultivate mānasa-pūjā/dhyāna with disciplined visualization; if performing outer rites, ensure correct kuṇḍa construction and maṇḍala procedure.
Khanda Section: Yoga / Tantra (Dhyana, Mantra, Yantra and inner ritual methods)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Split scene: left shows a prepared fire-pit (kuṇḍa) and a colored maṇḍala with a practitioner performing outer ritual; right shows the same practitioner in meditation, eyes half-closed, visualizing the maṇḍala internally.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, diptych composition: homa-kuṇḍa with flames and geometric maṇḍala on the floor, priest in traditional attire; adjacent panel shows meditating yogin with subtle inner-maṇḍala aura, temple palette","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central maṇḍala rendered with gold-leaf accents, homa vessels and kuṇḍa on one side, meditating figure on the other, rich ornamentation and luminous highlights","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, precise geometric maṇḍala drawing, labeled ritual implements near kuṇḍa, calm meditative portrait on the right, instructional clarity and fine brushwork","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, refined interior with a small homa altar and intricate floor maṇḍala, paired with a serene meditation vignette, delicate linework and patterned textiles"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Darbari Kanada","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: कुण्डमण्डलपूर्विका = कुण्ड-मण्डल-पूर्विका; मनोव्यापारमात्रेण = मनः + व्यापार + मात्रेण (मनः → मनो before vowel).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 81.10–81.11 (dīkṣā and eligibility); Agni Purana tantra-yoga sections elsewhere (dhyāna, nyāsa, maṇḍala-vidhi)
FAQs
It distinguishes two modes of sādhana: an external, action-based ritual requiring a kuṇḍa (fire-altar) and maṇḍala (ritual diagram), versus an internal, knowledge-based practice done purely through mental performance (manasika).
By cataloging both outer ritual technologies (altar/diagram construction and procedural worship) and inner yogic methods (mental-only observance), it reflects the Agni Purāṇa’s broad coverage of practical ritual science alongside contemplative disciplines.
It affirms that inner, knowledge-centered practice—performed with the mind alone—counts as a valid and elevated form of worship, emphasizing purity of intention and meditative realization over physical apparatus.