Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 42
Chapter 24 — कुण्डनिर्माणादिविधिः
Procedure for Constructing the Fire-pit and Related Rites
समाप्यार्चान्तु होमान्तां शुचीन् शिष्यानुपोषितान् आहूयाग्रे निवेश्याथ ह्य् अस्त्रेण प्रोक्षयेत् पशून्
samāpyārcāntu homāntāṃ śucīn śiṣyānupoṣitān āhūyāgre niveśyātha hy astreṇa prokṣayet paśūn
ہوم کے اختتام تک ارچنا مکمل کر کے، جن پاکیزہ شاگردوں کی اس نے پرورش و تربیت کی ہے انہیں بلا کر سامنے بٹھائے؛ پھر اَستر-منتر کے ذریعے مقدس پانی چھڑک کر جانوروں کا پروکشن کرے۔
Lord Agni (in dialogue with Sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purana narration frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Post-homa protocol: assemble purified, trained disciples; seat them before the officiant; consecrate animals by sprinkling with water empowered by the Astra-mantra (protective/warding rite).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Post-Homa Assembly of Śiṣyas and Astra-Mantra Prokṣaṇa of Paśu","lookup_keywords":["śiṣya","śuci","astra-mantra","prokṣaṇa","paśu"],"quick_summary":"After completing worship and homa, bring forward purified disciples and perform protective consecration by sprinkling animals with water using the Astra-mantra."}
Concept: Ritual authority includes responsibility: maintaining disciples, ensuring purity, and applying protective mantras before handling living beings in rites.
Application: Institute a post-rite checklist: completion of homa → seating of qualified assistants → protective sprinkling with Astra-mantra to prevent doṣa and ensure ritual safety.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Arcana, Homa, and Ritual Procedure)
Primary Rasa: Shanta
Secondary Rasa: Veera
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"After the fire-offering, the guru-priest calls purified disciples to sit before him; animals stand nearby as he sprinkles consecrated water while reciting the Astra-mantra for protection.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: guru in ritual attire before extinguishing homa fire, disciples seated in a row, animals at the side, priest sprinkling water with darbha, protective aura motifs, bold lines and sacred reds.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: ceremonial scene with gold-highlighted water vessel and sprinkling gesture, disciples with folded hands, animals adorned with garlands, ornate pillars, luminous gold work emphasizing sanctification.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: calm instructional composition—disciples seated frontally, priest performing prokṣaṇa with labeled Astra-mantra, detailed ritual implements, soft palette and clarity of action.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: courtly ritual gathering, teacher and students in fine garments, animals decorated, delicate depiction of water sprinkling, architectural pavilion backdrop with intricate patterns."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: samāpyārcāntu = samāpya + arcām + tu; homāntāṃ = homa-antām; śiṣyānupoṣitān = śiṣyān + upoṣitān; āhūyāgre = āhūya + agre; niveśyātha = niveśya + atha; hy astreṇa = hi + astreṇa.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 24 (astra-mantra usage; prokṣaṇa; śiṣya-adhikāra in ritual service)
FAQs
It gives the closing procedure of arcana and homa: summon purified disciples, seat them formally, and perform prokṣaṇa (ritual aspersion) of animals using the Astra-mantra as a protective and consecratory act.
It preserves a step-by-step liturgical protocol—covering personnel (śiṣya), sequencing (arcana → homa → seating → prokṣaṇa), and mantra-technology (Astra-mantra)—showing the Agni Purana’s breadth as a practical ritual handbook alongside its other sciences.
Completing worship with disciplined participants and consecratory sprinkling is meant to ensure ritual purity and protection, aligning the act with dharma so that the offering and its associated merit are not compromised by impurity or procedural fault.