Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 41
Chapter 81 — समयदीक्षाविधानम्
Procedure for Samaya Initiation
निविष्टो मन्त्रतृप्त्यर्थमर्घ्यगन्धघृतादिकं वामे ऽसव्ये तु विन्यस्य समिद्दर्भतिलादिकं
niviṣṭo mantratṛptyarthamarghyagandhaghṛtādikaṃ vāme 'savye tu vinyasya samiddarbhatilādikaṃ
เมื่อได้นั่งแล้ว เพื่อให้มนตร์สมบูรณ์ พึงวางอรฺฆยะ เครื่องหอม เนยใส และสิ่งประกอบอื่นไว้ทางซ้าย; ส่วนอีกด้านหนึ่งพึงจัดไม้เชื้อพิธี (สมิธ) หญ้าทรรภะ งา และของคล้ายกัน
Lord Agni (narrating ritual procedure)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Standard ritual mise-en-place: arranging offerings and homa materials by left/right placement to ensure orderly mantra-satisfaction and correct procedure.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Left–Right Arrangement of Arghya and Homa Materials for Mantra-tṛpti","lookup_keywords":["mantra-trpti","arghya","ghrita","samidha","tila"],"quick_summary":"After seating, place arghya, fragrance, ghee etc. to the left; arrange fuel-sticks, darbha, sesame etc. to the other side to complete mantras properly and avoid procedural faults."}
Concept: Outer order (bahya-krama) supports inner completion (mantra-tṛpti); correct placement is part of ritual correctness (śuddhi).
Application: Prepare a consistent workstation: offerings left, combustibles/oblation supports right, minimizing mistakes during homa/mantra recitation.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Mantra & Homa Ritual Procedure)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: Ritual micro-space (āsana vicinity)
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A seated worshipper arranges ritual items: to the left arghya vessel, perfumes, ghee; to the right fuel sticks, darbha grass, sesame—laid out neatly before homa.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, seated priest before a small altar, left side shows arghya pot and ghee bowl, right side shows stacked samidhas and darbha bundles with sesame, simplified iconic objects, warm tones","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, symmetrical composition with rich gold detailing on vessels, left-side offerings gleaming, right-side homa materials arranged, priest centered with rosary, ornate borders","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional still-life clarity: labeled groupings left vs right, careful depiction of darbha, samidha, tila, ghee ladle, soft colors and fine outlines","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, close interior scene with patterned carpet, priest seated, attendants presenting items, meticulous rendering of vessels and bundles, balanced left-right arrangement"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: mantratṛptyartham → mantra-tṛpti-artham; arghyagandhaghṛtādikaṃ → arghya-gandha-ghṛta-ādikam; vāme 'savye → vāme + asavye; samiddarbhatilādikaṃ → samit-darbha-tila-ādikam.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 81 (homa upakaraṇa-krama; mantra-tṛpti)
FAQs
It teaches the practical layout of homa/pujā materials after seating—arghya, fragrance, ghee etc. to the left, and samid, darbha, sesame etc. to the non-left side—so the mantra-ritual proceeds in an orderly, prescribed manner.
Beyond theology, it preserves operational ritual know-how (upacāra arrangement, homa supplies, and procedural sequencing), showing the text’s handbook-like coverage of applied religious practice.
Correct placement and preparation of offerings is presented as supporting mantra-tṛpti—i.e., the effective completion and sanctifying efficacy of the rite—thereby aiding purity, order, and merit (puṇya) in worship.