Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 68
Chapter 81 — समयदीक्षाविधानम्
Procedure for Samaya Initiation
विदध्यात्संहितामन्त्रैः शिष्यं प्रति सकृत् सकृत् धर्माद्यासनके हुत्वा कुण्डमण्डलपश्चिमे
vidadhyātsaṃhitāmantraiḥ śiṣyaṃ prati sakṛt sakṛt dharmādyāsanake hutvā kuṇḍamaṇḍalapaścime
พึงอภิเษกและมอบอำนาจแก่ศิษย์ด้วยมนตร์แห่งสํหิตา ซ้ำแล้วซ้ำเล่าตามพิธี. ครั้นบูชาไฟบนอาสนะธรรมะและอาสนะอื่นแล้ว พึงตั้งศิษย์ไว้ด้านตะวันตกของกุณฑะและมณฑล.
Lord Agni (in instruction to sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Diksha/saṃskāra in pūjā-vidhi: empowering a disciple through repeated Saṃhitā-mantras, homa on specified āsanas, and correct seating relative to kuṇḍa and maṇḍala.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Śiṣya-saṃskāra by Saṃhitā-mantras and placement west of kuṇḍa-maṇḍala","lookup_keywords":["dīkṣā","saṃhitā-mantra","dharma-āsana","kuṇḍa","paścima-deśa"],"quick_summary":"Consecrate the disciple by repeated Saṃhitā-mantras, perform homa on Dharma and allied āsanas, and establish the disciple on the western side of the fire-pit/maṇḍala as per ritual geometry."}
Concept: Mantra-saṃskāra and adhikāra: empowerment arises from correct mantra-repetition plus correct ritual placement (deśa-kāla-niyama).
Application: In initiation rites, maintain strict spatial orientation and repeat mantras to stabilize saṃskāra in the disciple.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Diksha and Mantra-saṃskāra / ritual initiation procedures)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"An ācārya performs homa before a kuṇḍa and maṇḍala, offering on ‘Dharma’ and allied āsana-markers, while the disciple is seated to the west, receiving mantra-consecration.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, temple interior with glowing homa-kuṇḍa, circular maṇḍala on floor, guru in white dhoti offering ghee, disciple seated west, labeled āsana-petals ‘Dharma’ etc., warm ochres and reds, stylized flames","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-leaf accents on fire and vessels, guru and disciple with ornate borders, kuṇḍa and maṇḍala clearly placed, ritual implements (sruc, ajya-pātra), sacred geometry emphasized","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional diagram-like clarity: kuṇḍa, maṇḍala, west seating position, āsana markers ‘Dharma’ etc., fine linework, muted palette, didactic composition","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly precision: small fire altar, detailed textiles, guru reciting mantras, disciple seated west, attendants holding ritual books, top-down hint of maṇḍala geometry"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":null,"pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: vidadhyāt+saṃhitāmantraiḥ → vidadhyātsaṃhitāmantraiḥ; kuṇḍa+maṇḍala+paścime → kuṇḍamaṇḍalapaścime.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 81 (Pūjā-vidhi: dīkṣā, homa, maṇḍala-nyāsa context)
FAQs
It prescribes a diksha-style procedure: recitation of Saṃhitā-mantras for the disciple, homa offerings on designated ritual “seats” (Dharma and others), and the correct spatial placement of the disciple relative to the kuṇḍa and maṇḍala.
Beyond mythology, it functions as a practical ritual manual—detailing mantra-application, homa sequencing, and ritual geometry (directional placement). This instructional precision is characteristic of the Agni Purana’s wide-ranging, handbook-like coverage.
Correct mantra-recitation, oblation, and ritual placement are presented as means of purifying and qualifying the disciple—establishing adhikāra (fitness) for mantra-practice and ensuring the rite yields auspicious, dharmic results.