Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 79
Chapter 81 — समयदीक्षाविधानम्
Procedure for Samaya Initiation
भस्मस्नानाय विघ्नानां शान्तये पापभित्तये सृष्टिसंहारयोगेन ताडयेदस्त्रभस्मना
bhasmasnānāya vighnānāṃ śāntaye pāpabhittaye sṛṣṭisaṃhārayogena tāḍayedastrabhasmanā
เพื่อพิธีอาบด้วยเถ้าศักดิ์สิทธิ์—เพื่อระงับอุปสรรคและทำลายบาป—พึงกระทำการตอกย้ำเชิงพิธีด้วยเถ้าที่ปลุกเสกด้วยมนตร์อัสตรา ตามกระบวนโยคะแห่งการก่อเกิดและการสลาย (สฤษฏิ–สังหาร)
Lord Agni (in instruction to the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Bhasma-snāna as a Śaiva purification/expiation: applying astra-consecrated ash to pacify obstacles and destroy sin using a creation–dissolution visualization.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Astra-bhasma application for Bhasma-snāna (vighna-śānti, pāpa-bheda)","lookup_keywords":["bhasma-snāna","astra-bhasma","vighna-śānti","pāpa-bheda","sṛṣṭi-saṃhāra-yoga"],"quick_summary":"For ash-bath, ritually ‘strike/apply’ weapon-consecrated bhasma while employing sṛṣṭi–saṃhāra (emanation–reabsorption) yoga to neutralize obstacles and sin."}
Concept: Bhasma signifies impermanence and purification; sṛṣṭi–saṃhāra-bhāvanā turns bodily application into a yogic expiation.
Application: During bhasma-snāna, coordinate mantra + tactile application + visualization of arising impurities being dissolved back into Śiva-consciousness.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Tantra (Bhasma-snāna and Astra-prayoga for śānti)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A practitioner performs bhasma-snāna, applying ash in deliberate strokes as if ‘striking’ away obstacles, while a subtle cosmic visualization shows creation and dissolution around him.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, sādhaka near Śiva shrine, ash application with rhythmic hand gesture, swirling mandala-like sṛṣṭi-saṃhāra motifs behind, muted sacred palette, iconic symmetry.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, gold accents on Śiva symbols (triśūla, liṅga pedestal), sādhaka with ash marks, radiant circular aura depicting creation–dissolution, ornate frame.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style instructional plate: stepwise depiction of applying astra-bhasma to limbs, with small captions-like visual cues, clean lines, soft colors, ritual implements clearly shown.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, intimate interior of a shrine room, detailed ash bowl and gestures, faint cloud-like cosmological swirl indicating sṛṣṭi/saṃhāra, refined textiles and vessels."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"austere","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: भस्मस्नानाय = भस्म + स्नानाय; पापभित्तये = पाप + भित्तये; सृष्टिसंहारयोगेन = सृष्टि + संहार + योगेन; ताडयेद् + अस्त्रभस्मना → ताडयेदस्त्रभस्मना
Related Themes: Agni Purana 81 (bhasma, astra-prayoga, śānti-kriyā context)
FAQs
It teaches a bhasma-snāna (sacred ash bath) application using astra-bhasma—ash energized by a weapon-mantra—performed with a sṛṣṭi–saṃhāra (creation–dissolution) visualization to neutralize obstacles and destroy sin-effects.
Alongside mythology and dharma, the Agni Purana preserves applied ritual technology: mantra-consecration, protective/appeasement rites (śānti), and tantric visualization methods—showing how the text functions as a practical manual across disciplines.
The rite is framed as both protective and purificatory: it pacifies vighnas (hindrances) and ‘breaks’ pāpa (sinic residue), indicating karmic cleansing through mantra-powered ash and disciplined inner visualization.