Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 86

Chapter 81 — समयदीक्षाविधानम्

Procedure for Samaya Initiation

Devanagari script

शिवहस्तं प्रदातव्यं रुद्रेशपददायकं शिवसेवाग्रहोपायं दत्तहस्तं शिवाणुना

Transliteration

śivahastaṃ pradātavyaṃ rudreśapadadāyakaṃ śivasevāgrahopāyaṃ dattahastaṃ śivāṇunā

Translation

พึงประทาน ‘ศิวหัตถ์’ อันให้ฐานะของรุทรและอีศวร นี่เป็นวิธีรับเข้าเป็นผู้รับใช้พระศิวะโดยพิธีการ และการประทานหัตถ์นี้ให้กระทำโดยผู้ได้รับศิวทีกษา (ศิวาณุ)۔

Word by Word

• śiva-hastam: Śiva-hand (ritual hand/hand-grasp)
• śiva-hastam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śiva (प्रातिपदिक) + hasta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; tatpuruṣa: ‘śivasya hastaḥ’ / ‘śiva-sambandhī hastaḥ’

• pradātavyam: should be given
• pradātavyam: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pra-dā (धातु)
• Form: Gerundive/Obligative (तव्यत्), Neuter, Accusative Singular agreeing with śiva-hastam; sense: ‘to be given/should be given’

• rudra-īśa-pada-dāyakam: granting the state/position of Rudreśa
• rudra-īśa-pada-dāyakam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: rudra (प्रातिपदिक) + īśa (प्रातिपदिक) + pada (प्रातिपदिक) + dāyaka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; multi-member tatpuruṣa: ‘rudreśasya padaṃ dadāti iti’ qualifying śiva-hastam

• śiva-sevā-graha-upāyam: means for undertaking Śiva-service
• śiva-sevā-graha-upāyam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śiva (प्रातिपदिक) + sevā (प्रातिपदिक) + graha (प्रातिपदिक) + upāya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; tatpuruṣa: ‘śiva-sevāyāḥ grahaṇasya upāyaḥ’ qualifying śiva-hastam

• datta-hastam: with the hand bestowed / the given hand-grasp
• datta-hastam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: datta (कृदन्त) + hasta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; karmadhāraya: ‘dattaḥ hastaḥ yasya’/‘given hand’ (hand bestowed/hand-grasp given)

• śiva-aṇunā: by the Śiva-aṇu (the individual soul devoted to Śiva)
• śiva-aṇunā: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śiva (प्रातिपदिक) + aṇu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular; tatpuruṣa: ‘śivasya aṇuḥ’ = ‘Śiva’s aṇu (individual soul/devotee)’ i.e., the disciple/initiand

Speaker

Lord Agni (in instruction to Vasiṣṭha, within the Agni Purana’s didactic narration)

Vidya Category

Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Formal acceptance into Śiva-sevā via a dīkṣā gesture: conferring the ‘Śiva-hand’ (śiva-hasta) that authorizes/empowers the initiate and grants Rudra/Īśa status within the ritual hierarchy.","sutra_style":true}

Encyclopedic Reference

Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Śiva-hasta (the ‘Śiva-hand’) as Śaiva-sevā acceptance and rank-bestowal","lookup_keywords":["śiva-hasta","dīkṣā","śiva-sevā-graha","rudreśa-pada","śivāṇu"],"quick_summary":"The ‘Śiva-hand’ is a formal initiatory bestowal by a qualified Śaiva initiate, marking acceptance into Śiva’s service and conferring ritual authority/status described as Rudra/Īśa-pada."}

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Spiritual office is transmitted through authorized lineage acts; service (sevā) is not merely personal devotion but a formally assumed dharma with empowerment (adhikāra).

Application: In institutional worship contexts, ensure initiation/authorization is conferred by qualified persons and recognized rites, preventing unauthorized ritual performance.

Khanda Section

Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Shaiva-diksha and Shiva-seva procedures)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: vira

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

Visual Art Cues

Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A Śaiva preceptor formally takes the initiate’s hand or places his hand upon the initiate’s hand in a consecratory gesture, symbolizing entry into Śiva’s service and empowerment to act ritually.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, guru and initiate before Śiva shrine, hands joined in a distinct ‘bestowal’ gesture, attendants with lamps, sacred ash markings, solemn empowerment mood","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-highlighted Śiva shrine backdrop, guru conferring ‘Śiva-hand’ to kneeling initiate, ornate jewelry and halos, ritual fire and vessels","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, didactic focus on the hand-gesture: close composition showing the ‘dattahasta’ moment, labels for roles (ācārya/śiṣya), minimal background, clear linework","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly pavilion adapted as ritual hall, detailed textiles, guru grasping initiate’s hand in formal rite, Śiva emblem/banner present, fine facial expressions"}

Audio Atmosphere

Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Shankara","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}

Sandhi Resolution Notes

Sandhi Resolution Notes: śiva + hastam → śivahastam; rudra + īśa → rudreśa; śiva-sevā-graha-upāyam → śivasevāgrahopāyam; śiva + aṇunā → śivāṇunā.

Cross References

Related Themes: Agni Purana 81 (dīkṣā and sevā-acceptance procedures)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Rudra
• Isha (Īśa)

FAQs

What technical or ritual knowledge (Vidya) is imparted in this verse?

It prescribes the ritual bestowal of the ‘Śiva-hand’ (śivahasta) as a formal act of admission/authorization into Śiva’s service, performed by an authorized Śaiva initiate.

How does this verse contribute to the 'Encyclopedic' nature of the Agni Purana?

Beyond myth, it preserves procedural religion: a compact rule for Śaiva initiation/authorization (a practical ritual technology), illustrating the Agni Purana’s coverage of worship manuals (pūjā-vidhi) alongside other sciences.

What is the spiritual or karmic significance of this specific instruction?

The act is presented as spiritually elevating—granting ‘Rudra-Īśa status’ in a Śaiva sense—by formally aligning the recipient with Śiva’s service and its attendant merit and purification.