Agni Purana — Ayurveda, Shloka 4
Chapter 290 — गजशान्तिः
Gaja-śānti: Elephant-Pacification Rite
कुमुदैरावणः पद्मः पुष्पदन्तो ऽथ वामनः सुप्रतीकोञ्जनो नागा अष्टौ होमो ऽथ दक्षिणां
kumudairāvaṇaḥ padmaḥ puṣpadanto 'tha vāmanaḥ supratīkoñjano nāgā aṣṭau homo 'tha dakṣiṇāṃ
Kumuda, Airāvaṇa, Padma, Puṣpadanta, rồi Vāmana; lại có Supratīka, Añjana và Nāga—đó là tám danh xưng. Kế đó, kinh văn nói về lễ homa (cúng lửa) và dakṣiṇā (lễ vật thù ân).
Lord Agni (narrating to the sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purāṇa’s instructional voice)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Using a fixed nāma-list as a ritual ‘address book’ for homa offerings and determining/justifying dakṣiṇā in śānti rites.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Eight Nāga Names for Homa and Dakṣiṇā (Kumuda to Nāga)","lookup_keywords":["homa","dakṣiṇā","Kumuda","Airāvaṇa","Puṣpadanta"],"quick_summary":"Provides an eight-name roster (nāga/elephant-associated beings) to be invoked in homa; signals that proper offerings and ritual fee complete the pacification procedure."}
Concept: Nāma-japa/saṅkīrtana as ritual technology; homa plus dakṣiṇā as ethical-ritual closure (ṛtvij satisfaction).
Application: Ensure rite efficacy by (1) correct name-recitation, (2) fire-offering sequence, and (3) appropriate remuneration to officiants.
Khanda Section: Mantra-nighaṇṭu & Devatā-nāma (Ritual Name-Lists for Homa and Dakṣiṇā)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A homa altar with offerings being poured while the officiant recites eight names; a ledger-like moment where dakṣiṇā is prepared (coins/cloth/cow) to be given after the rite.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, central blazing homa-kuṇḍa; priest with ladle (sruk) and palm-leaf manuscript; eight nāga emblems around the border; dakṣiṇā items arranged on a tray.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, gold-highlighted flames and altar; priest in white with sacred thread; ornate tray with dakṣiṇā (gold coins, silk cloth) rendered with embossed gold work; decorative serpent motifs.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional scene: clearly drawn homa implements (kuṇḍa, sruk, sruva, ājyapātra), and a neat row of eight name cartouches; dakṣiṇā bundle tied and labeled.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, intimate ritual chamber: fire altar, attendants bringing gifts for dakṣiṇā; calligraphic panel listing the eight names; fine textile patterns and realistic flames."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kedar","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पुष्पदन्तो ऽथ→पुष्पदन्तः अथ; सुप्रतीकोञ्जनो→सुप्रतीकः उञ्जनः (interpreting sandhi -o + u-). होमो ऽथ→होमः अथ.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 290 (homa/dakṣiṇā section following nāga lists)
FAQs
It supplies a fixed list of eight sacred names/epithets used in the homa context, functioning as a ritual nighaṇṭu (name-index) for correct invocation, followed by a transition to instructions on homa and dakṣiṇā.
By preserving compact catalogues of ritual names and procedural headings (homa and dakṣiṇā), it acts like a handbook: not narrative theology alone, but practical reference material for priests and ritualists.
Correctly reciting and applying authorized names in homa is treated as ensuring mantra-śuddhi (ritual correctness), which supports the intended merit (puṇya), purification, and efficacy of the offering; dakṣiṇā completes the rite by honoring the officiants.