Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 22
अध्याय 82 — संस्कारदीक्षाकथनम्
Saṃskāra-Dīkṣā: Consecratory Initiation
स्वाहान्तसंहितमन्त्रैः पात्रेष्वारोप्य पूर्ववत् सम्पादितद्रुतं हुत्वा स्थण्डिलेशाय दर्शयेत्
svāhāntasaṃhitamantraiḥ pātreṣvāropya pūrvavat sampāditadrutaṃ hutvā sthaṇḍileśāya darśayet
เมื่อวาง (เครื่องพลี) ลงใน ภาชนะพร้อมสวดมนตร์ที่ลงท้ายด้วยคำว่า 'สวาหา' แล้ว และได้บูชาไฟด้วยเนยใสที่เตรียมไว้ตามที่กำหนดก่อนหน้านี้แล้ว พึงแสดง (เครื่องพลีนั้น) แด่พระสถัณฑิเลศ (เจ้าแห่งแท่นบูชา)
Lord Agni (in discourse to sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purāṇa frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Homa procedure: place oblations into vessels while reciting svāhā-ending mantras; offer prepared melted ghee into fire as previously prescribed; then formally present/offer to Sthaṇḍileśa (lord of the altar/maṇḍala).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Homa-prayoga: Svāhā-mantra oblations and offering to Sthaṇḍileśa","lookup_keywords":["homa","svāhā","ghṛta","pātra","sthaṇḍileśa"],"quick_summary":"Oblations are sanctified by svāhā-terminated mantras, placed in proper vessels, and offered as melted ghee into the fire following prior rules. The rite culminates in presenting the offering to the presiding altar-deity (Sthaṇḍileśa)."}
Concept: Kriyā (ritual action) becomes effective through mantra (svāhā) and krama (prescribed sequence), with the altar-deity as the locus of sanctification.
Application: Standardize homa workflow: prepare ghṛta, assign vessels, recite svāhā-mantras per oblation, maintain prior procedural constraints (purity, direction, counts), and conclude with offering/acknowledgment to the presiding altar power.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Agni-hotra & Homa Prayoga / Ritual Procedure)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A homa altar with a square fire-pit, vessels arranged around it, priest pouring melted ghee while chanting svāhā; a subtle presence of Sthaṇḍileśa as a guardian figure or emblem on the altar ground.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, bright fire in a square kuṇḍa, priest in white performing āhuti; pātras neatly placed; stylized svāhā syllables rising with smoke; Sthaṇḍileśa indicated as a small guardian motif on the ritual ground.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting with gold on flames and vessels; priest offering ghṛta with ladle; ornate altar border; divine presence suggested by a gold-embossed emblem labeled Sthaṇḍileśa near the kuṇḍa.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style instructional composition: clear layout of kuṇḍa, pātras, ladle, ghṛta pot; stepwise depiction of placing oblations then offering; calm, precise linework.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed ritual courtyard; priest and assistant; shimmering fire, delicate smoke; vessels and ghee pot rendered with realism; marginal notes-like calligraphy for svāhā."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Hamsadhwani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: स्वाहान्तसंहितमन्त्रैः → स्वाहा-अन्त-संहित-मन्त्रैः. पात्रेष्वारोप्य → पात्रेषु + आरोप्य. स्थण्डिलेशाय → स्थण्डिल-ईशाय.
Related Themes: Agni Purana earlier homa/pūjā procedural rules referenced by 'pūrvavat'; Agni Purana mantra-vidhi sections on svāhā usage
FAQs
It specifies the homa protocol: recite svāhā-ending mantras, place offerings in proper vessels, pour prepared melted ghee into the fire, and complete the rite by formally presenting the offering to Sthaṇḍileśa (the presiding altar-deity).
It preserves a step-by-step ritual manual (prayoga) for fire offerings—covering mantra-usage, implements (vessels), materials (melted ghee), and concluding presentation—showing the Agni Purana’s breadth as a compendium of practical religious procedures.
Correct svāhā-mantra oblations and proper completion rites are taught as means to ensure the offering is ritually “accepted,” supporting purification, merit (puṇya), and the successful fruition of the intended sacrifice.