Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 10
Chapter 83 — निर्वाणदीक्षाकथनम्
Description of the Nirvāṇa Initiation
अवगुण्ठ्य तु रुद्रेण हृदयेनाहुतित्रयं प्रदद्यात्सन्निधानार्थं शक्तावप्येवमेव हि
avaguṇṭhya tu rudreṇa hṛdayenāhutitrayaṃ pradadyātsannidhānārthaṃ śaktāvapyevameva hi
ครั้นทำอวคุณฑนะ (การคลุม/ปกปิด) ด้วยรุดรมนต์แล้ว พึงถวายอาหุติสามครั้งด้วยหฤทยมนต์ เพื่อให้เกิดสันนิธาน (การสถิตอยู่) แม้มีกำลังความสามารถมาก ก็พึงทำตามวิธีนี้โดยเคร่งครัด.
Lord Agni (in instruction to Sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Rudra-mantra avaguṇṭhana (veiling/protection) followed by three oblations with the Hṛdaya-mantra to establish divine presence (sannidhāna) in homa/pūjā.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Rudra-avaguṇṭhana and Hṛdaya-mantra tri-āhuti for sannidhāna","lookup_keywords":["avaguṇṭhana","rudra-mantra","hṛdaya-mantra","tri-āhuti","sannidhāna"],"quick_summary":"Perform protective veiling with Rudra-mantra, then offer three oblations with the heart-mantra to secure the deity’s presence; the rite is prescribed in this fixed measure."}
Concept: Ritual restraint and exactness: prescribed minimal acts (tri-āhuti) can be sufficient for sannidhāna when done correctly.
Application: In homa, prioritize correctness of mantra, intention, and sequence over quantity; keep a consistent triad offering for establishing presence.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Rudra-Mantra Homa and Sannidhana-vidhi)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A fire altar scene: the practitioner performs a veiling gesture with Rudra-mantra, then offers three measured oblations while focusing on the heart-mantra to invite and stabilize divine presence.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, homa-kuṇḍa with tall stylized flames, priest performing avaguṇṭhana gesture, three ladle offerings depicted sequentially, Rudra presence suggested by trident motif, warm reds and ochres","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, fire altar with gold-highlighted flames, priest with ornate vessels, three oblations emphasized with repeated ladle motif, radiant aura indicating sannidhāna, rich gold work","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear ritual instruction: avaguṇṭhana step then three āhutis labeled 1-2-3, neat altar geometry, calm devotional faces, soft palette","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed yajña pavilion, fire altar central, attendant holding ghee vessel, three offerings shown as a narrative sequence, delicate smoke patterns, refined costumes"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: हृदयेनाहुतित्रयम् = हृदयेन + आहुतित्रयम् (ए + आ सन्धि); प्रदद्यात्सन्निधानार्थम् = प्रदद्यात् + सन्निधानार्थम् (त् + स); शक्तावपि = शक्तौ + अपि (औ + अ → आव).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 83.6; Agni Purana 83.9
FAQs
It prescribes a specific homa sequence: first perform avaguṇṭhana (a protective/veiling act) using the Rudra-mantra, then offer exactly three oblations with the Hṛdaya-mantra to secure sannidhāna (the deity’s effective presence).
It exemplifies the Agni Purāṇa’s manual-like coverage of ritual technology—precise counts (three oblations), specific mantra-applications (Rudra, Hṛdaya), and defined ritual goals (sannidhāna)—alongside its many other domains such as polity, medicine, and arts.
By correctly invoking sannidhāna through the prescribed mantric oblations, the rite is considered properly empowered—supporting purity, protection, and the intended spiritual efficacy of worship and offerings.