Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 16
Vidyā-viśodhana-vidhāna
Procedure for Purifying Mantra-Vidyā
निःशेषमलकर्मादिपाशबन्धनिवृत्तये निष्कृत्यैव विधानेन यजेत शतमाहुतीः
niḥśeṣamalakarmādipāśabandhanivṛttaye niṣkṛtyaiva vidhānena yajeta śatamāhutīḥ
เพื่อความดับสิ้นโดยสิ้นเชิงแห่งพันธนาการอันเป็นบ่วงจากกรรมเศร้าหมองเป็นต้น พึงประกอบพิธีไถ่โทษตามแบบแผน และถวายอาหุติหนึ่งร้อยครั้งลงในไฟ.
Lord Agni (in instruction to sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purana dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Prāyaścitta by homa: performing a prescribed expiation with a fixed count (100 āhutis) to remove pāśa-like bondage arising from impure actions.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Prāyaścitta-Homa: Hundred Oblations for Mala-karma Bondage","lookup_keywords":["prāyaścitta","homa","śatam āhutīḥ","mala-karma","pāśa-bandha"],"quick_summary":"To end bondage caused by impure deeds, perform the expiatory rite as prescribed and offer one hundred oblations into the fire."}
Concept: Karma-mala creates bondage (pāśa); prāyaścitta, when done per vidhi and with saṅkalpa, functions as a dhārmic means of purification and restoration.
Application: Use fixed-count homa as a structured corrective after ritual/ethical lapses; pair with restraint and renewed observances to prevent recurrence.
Khanda Section: Prāyaścitta & Homa-Vidhi (Ritual Expiation and Fire-Offerings)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: veera
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A homa-kunda blazing; the officiant offers ghee and samidhs in a counted sequence of one hundred āhutis, with a mala/marker for counting and a sense of ‘fetters’ dissolving in fire.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, square homa-kunda with stylized flames, priest in white, counting beads, dark chain-like motifs (pāśa) melting into the fire, temple setting with traditional lamps.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, bright fire altar with gold highlights, priest offering ladle of ghee, ornate border, symbolic broken chains rendered in gold near the flames, rich saturated colors.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clear instructional depiction of homa setup: kunda, ladle, ghee pot, samidh bundles, counting method for 100 āhutis shown in side panel, neat composition.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed courtyard yajña scene, attendants with offerings, precise flame rendering, subtle allegory of bonds as faint lines dissipating above the fire, intricate textiles."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: कर्मादि → कर्म-आदि; निवृत्तये is dative singular of निवृत्ति; निष्कृत्यैव → निष्कृत्य एव; शतमाहुतीः → शतम् आहुतीः.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 86 (prāyaścitta & homa-vidhi section)
FAQs
It prescribes a niṣkṛti (expiatory) homa performed strictly by vidhāna (ritual rule), specifying the count as one hundred āhutis (fire oblations) for purification.
By giving actionable prāyaścitta protocol—purpose (removal of pāśa-bandha), method (vidhāna), and measurable rite (śata-āhuti)—it exemplifies the text’s practical manual-like coverage of ritual law and expiation alongside many other disciplines.
The verse frames homa as a means to end bondage caused by impure karma, presenting expiation as a structured path to karmic cleansing and spiritual release from binding consequences.