Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 19
सकलादिमन्त्रोद्धारः (Sakalādi-mantra-uddhāra) — Chapter Colophon/Transition
लयं दूत्यप्रियं लौल्यं विकर्णं वत्सलं तथा कृतान्तं कालदडण्च यजेत् कुम्भञ्च पूर्ववत्
layaṃ dūtyapriyaṃ laulyaṃ vikarṇaṃ vatsalaṃ tathā kṛtāntaṃ kāladaḍaṇca yajet kumbhañca pūrvavat
Nên thờ phụng các thần: Laya, Dūtyapriya, Laulya, Vikarṇa và Vatsala; lại thờ Kṛtānta và Kāladaṇḍa; và nên cúng bái kumbha (bình khí nghi lễ) theo đúng cách như trước.
Lord Agni (instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha in ritual procedure)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Puja-vidhi","practical_application":"Mantra-devatā-nyāsa style worship: invoking specific attendant deities/powers and performing kumbha (kalasha) worship as per prior procedure.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Kumbha-pūjā with attendant devatās (Laya, Dūtyapriya, Laulya, Vikarṇa, Vatsala, Kṛtānta, Kāladaṇḍa)","lookup_keywords":["kumbha-puja","kalasha","nyasa","Kritanta","Kaladanda"],"quick_summary":"The verse lists deities/powers to be worshipped in sequence and instructs that the ritual vessel (kumbha) be worshipped following the previously stated method, indicating a standardized pūjā template."}
Concept: Ritual efficacy through correct sequencing (krama) and continuity (‘pūrvavat’)—standardization of worship acts.
Application: In practice, follow the earlier kalasha-vidhi exactly (āsana, āvāhana, upacāras), inserting this devatā-list at the appropriate nyāsa/āvaraṇa step.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Mantra-devata-nyasa and Kalasha/Kumbha worship in Agni Purana)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritual altar with a decorated kumbha (kalasha) being worshipped; priest invokes a sequence of attendant deities/powers, including stern time/death guardians (Kṛtānta, Kāladaṇḍa) as protective perimeter.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural of a pūjā scene: brass kumbha with mango leaves and coconut on a lotus pedestal, priest performing āvāhana; around the vessel, small guardian figures in traditional mural style—some gentle (Vatsala), some stern (Kṛtānta, Kāladaṇḍa) with staff motifs; warm earthy palette","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting centered on an ornate kalasha with gold leaf, gemstones, and halo; miniature side-panels show the named devatās as symbolic emblems (staff for Kāladaṇḍa, protective aura for Vatsala), rich temple décor and lamps","mysore_prompt":"Mysore instructional painting: stepwise depiction of kumbha-pūjā—placement, decoration, offering sequence; labels for each invoked devatā; clean lines, soft gradients, emphasis on ritual objects","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature of a yajña/pūjā pavilion: priest and assistants around a kalasha, fine detailing of vessels and textiles; marginal cartouches naming the invoked powers; subdued yet intricate composition"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":null,"pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: kāladaḍaṇca → kāla-daṇḍam + ca (orthography normalized); kumbhañca → kumbham + ca.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 317 (earlier ‘pūrvavat’ kumbha/kalasha procedure in the same pūjā-vidhi section)
FAQs
It prescribes a specific sequence of devatā-invocations—worshipping named attendant deities (including Kṛtānta and Kāladaṇḍa) and then performing kalasha/kumbha worship exactly as in the earlier steps (pūrvavat), indicating continuity of the same upacāras and mantra-protocol.
It exemplifies the Agni Purana’s catalog-like ritual mapping: even abstract qualities (e.g., Laulya) and death/time powers (Kṛtānta, Kāladaṇḍa) are systematized as worship-worthy devatā-aspects within a standardized kalasha-rite—showing the text’s breadth in codifying ritual theology and procedure.
By ritually acknowledging forces of time, restraint, and death (Kṛtānta/Kāladaṇḍa) within the consecrated vessel worship, the practitioner symbolically brings disruptive or punitive powers under dharmic order, supporting purification, protection, and the successful completion (siddhi) of the rite.