Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 7
अध्याय 82 — संस्कारदीक्षाकथनम्
Saṃskāra-Dīkṣā: Consecratory Initiation
स्निग्धः प्रदक्षिणावर्तः सुगन्धिः शस्यते ऽनलः विपरीतस्फुलिङ्गी च भूमिस्पर्शः प्रशस्यते
snigdhaḥ pradakṣiṇāvartaḥ sugandhiḥ śasyate 'nalaḥ viparītasphuliṅgī ca bhūmisparśaḥ praśasyate
ไฟย่อมเป็นมงคลเมื่อมีความมันเงาและมั่นคง (ได้รับเชื้อเพลิงพอ), เปลวโค้งเวียนไปทางขวา, มีกลิ่นหอม, สะเก็ดไฟพุ่งไปทิศตรงข้าม (ไม่เข้าหาผู้บูชา), และลุกต่ำแตะพื้นอย่างสม่ำเสมอ
Lord Agni (traditional Agni Purana narrator) instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Agni-nimitta reading: assessing auspiciousness of ritual fire by observable qualities (glossy steadiness, right-curling flame, fragrance, spark-direction, ground-touch) to decide whether to proceed or correct conditions.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Auspicious Fire Marks (Agni-lakṣaṇa) for Homa","lookup_keywords":["snigdha agni","pradakṣiṇāvarta","sugandhi anala","viparīta sphuliṅga","bhūmi-sparśa"],"quick_summary":"A homa-fire is praised when steady and glossy, right-turning, fragrant, with sparks moving away from the sacrificer, and burning low/ground-touching—these are practical omens of ritual fitness."}
Concept: Nimitta-jñāna: reading lawful correspondences between visible phenomena and unseen ritual efficacy.
Application: Use sensory checks (sight/smell/spark-direction) as a pre-flight checklist; if signs are adverse, adjust fuel, ghee, wind-shielding, and cleanliness.
Khanda Section: Agni-nimitta & Homa-lakshana (Ritual Omens and Fire Characteristics in Yajña)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Close study of a ritual fire: glossy steady flame curling right, fragrant smoke-free aura, sparks flying away from the sacrificer, flame licking low and touching the base of the fire-pit—annotated as auspicious marks.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, enlarged stylized flame with rightward curl, decorative spark patterns moving outward, priest observing, aromatic flowers/incense motifs indicating fragrance, bold outlines","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, gold-highlighted flame curl and sparks, ornate homa-kuṇḍa, priest with gesture of approval, rich textile borders, fragrance suggested via flower garlands and sandal motifs","mysore_prompt":"Mysore, instructional diagram-like painting: five labeled lakṣaṇas around the fire (snigdha, pradakṣiṇāvarta, sugandhi, viparīta-sphuliṅga, bhūmi-sparśa), clean composition","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, naturalistic flame behavior, tiny sparks rendered precisely, officiant seated to one side so sparks fly away, subtle aromatic elements (attar bottle/flowers) to imply fragrance"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: śasyate 'nalaḥ = śasyate analaḥ
Related Themes: Agni Purana 82.6 (fire condition for siddhi); Agni Purana 82.8 (prāyaścitta/shuddhi homa)
FAQs
It gives Agni-nimitta (ritual diagnostics): how to recognize an auspicious homa-fire by observable traits—steady glossy burning, right-curling flame, pleasant odor, safe-direction sparks, and a low, ground-touching steadiness.
It preserves practical, priestly field-knowledge—ritual quality control through omens—alongside the Purana’s broader coverage of rites, dharma, and applied sciences, showing the text’s manual-like scope.
Selecting an auspicious, well-behaved sacred fire is presented as supporting the correctness and fruitfulness of the rite, helping ensure purity of offering and favorable outcomes rather than ritual obstruction.