Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 15
Chapter 305 — Narasiṃha and Related Mantras (नारसिंहादिमन्त्राः)
फलके कल्पिते पात्रे पलाशं क्षीरशाखिनः गव्यपूर्णे निवेश्यैव दिक्ष्वेवं होमयेद्द्विजैः
phalake kalpite pātre palāśaṃ kṣīraśākhinaḥ gavyapūrṇe niveśyaiva dikṣvevaṃ homayeddvijaiḥ
Pagkalagay ng kahoy na palāśa (Butea monosperma) mula sa punong may “gatas” na sanga sa isang sisidlang inihanda sa ibabaw ng tabla at pinuno ng mga bagay mula sa baka (gavyā), ang mga dvija (dalawang-ulit na isinilang) ay magsagawa ng homa sa mga direksiyon sa ganitong paraan.
Lord Agni (instructional narration to Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purana dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Directional homa procedure using palāśa wood placed in a prepared vessel on a plank, filled with cow-products; specifies materials and eligible performers (dvija).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Directional homa with palāśa and pañcagavya base","lookup_keywords":["palāśa","kṣīra-śākhī","gavyapūrṇa","dik-homa","dvija"],"quick_summary":"Prepare a vessel on a plank, fill with cow-products, place palāśa wood, and perform homa to the directions as prescribed—emphasizing purity materials and correct setup."}
Concept: Adhikāra (dvija eligibility) and dravya-śuddhi (cow-products, palāśa) as supports for correct yajña performance.
Application: Ensure proper ritual qualification and standardized materials; perform dik-homa to extend protection/pacification to all quarters.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Homa / ritual fire-offering procedures)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A plank supports a prepared vessel filled with cow-products; palāśa sticks are placed within; the priest offers oblations facing each direction in turn around the fire.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, circular directional layout around homa fire, priest turning to quarters, palāśa sticks stylized, vessel on a wooden plank clearly shown, earthy reds and ochres.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central homa fire with gold accents, palāśa leaves/wood highlighted, vessel gleaming, priest in traditional attire offering to directions, ornate border.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional depiction of phalaka, vessel, palāśa placement, arrows indicating directions for homa, fine detailing and soft palette.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, top-down hint of directional movement, priest stepping around altar, assistants holding cow-product vessels, detailed wood grain of plank and utensils."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Hamsadhwani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: niveśyaiva = niveśya eva; dikṣvevaṃ = dikṣu evaṃ; homayeddvijaiḥ = homayet dvijaiḥ.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 305 (dik-homa and dravya-vidhi context)
FAQs
It prescribes a homa procedure: place palāśa (a standard yajña-wood) in a prepared vessel filled with gavya (cow-derived ritual substances) and perform offerings oriented to the directions (dik).
It exemplifies the Agni Purana’s practical ritual manual aspect—detailing implements (pātra, phalaka), materials (palāśa, gavya), and method (directional homa), alongside its many other domains like polity, medicine, and aesthetics.
Directional homa with prescribed pure materials is presented as a disciplined, purificatory act that harmonizes the practitioner with cosmic order (dik-devatā alignment) and supports merit (puṇya) through correct ritual performance.