Agni Purana — Yoga & Brahma-vidya, Shloka 20
Chapter 374 — ध्यान (Dhyāna) — Colophon & Transition to Dhāraṇā
मातृमोदकवत्सर्वं जपहोमार्चनादिकं विष्णुमन्त्रेण वा कुर्यादमृतां धारणां वदे
mātṛmodakavatsarvaṃ japahomārcanādikaṃ viṣṇumantreṇa vā kuryādamṛtāṃ dhāraṇāṃ vade
Người ta nên thực hành mọi việc—như tụng niệm thần chú, cúng lửa (homa), lễ bái (arcana) và các pháp tương tự—hoặc theo nghi thức Mātṛ-modaka, hoặc bằng thần chú của Viṣṇu. Nay ta sẽ trình bày phép dhāraṇā “Amṛtā” (tựa cam lộ).
Lord Agni (in dialogue tradition of the Agni Purana, instructing a sage such as Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Standardizing ritual preliminaries (japa, homa, arcana) under a chosen mantra-system (Mātṛ-modaka or Viṣṇu-mantra) before undertaking the Amṛtā protective dhāraṇā.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Amṛtā-dhāraṇā: ritual prerequisites via Mātṛ-modaka or Viṣṇu-mantra","lookup_keywords":["Amṛtā dhāraṇā","Mātṛ-modaka","Viṣṇu-mantra","japa homa arcana","pūjā-vidhi"],"quick_summary":"All ancillary rites—japa, homa, worship—are to be performed either according to the Mātṛ-modaka model or using a Viṣṇu-mantra; this serves as the entry protocol to the Amṛtā dhāraṇā."}
Concept: Ekāgratā supported by mantra-anchored ritual discipline; dhāraṇā is approached through regulated upacāras.
Application: Choose one authorized mantra-framework and keep all auxiliaries consistent to stabilize attention and reduce ritual/mental dispersion.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi & Mantra-sadhana (Dhāraṇā / protective visualization)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A sādhaka performing japa, homa, and arcana before commencing a nectar-like protective dhāraṇā, with Viṣṇu-mantra presence suggested by symbols (śaṅkha-cakra).","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, sādhaka seated before a small homa-kuṇḍa, rosary in hand, offering ghee, subtle Viṣṇu symbols (śaṅkha, cakra) in the aura, warm earthy palette, flat iconic composition","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central sādhaka with ornate altar, homa fire with gold leaf highlights, Viṣṇu emblems in a halo, rich reds and greens, embossed jewelry-like detailing on ritual vessels","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional layout showing japa (mālā), homa (kuṇḍa), arcana (flowers), labeled implements, delicate lines and soft shading, calm devotional ambience","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly atelier precision: yogin in a pavilion performing homa, attendants with flowers and water-pot, fine architectural borders, subtle Viṣṇu insignia on a cloth or banner"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional-devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: मातृमोदकवत्सर्वम् = मातृमोदकवत् + सर्वम्; कुर्यादमृताम् = कुर्यात् + अमृताम्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 374 (Dhāraṇā chapter); Agni Purana 375 (Samādhi chapter, continuation of yogic discipline)
FAQs
It gives a procedural rule: japa, homa, arcana, and allied rites may be carried out following the Mātṛ-modaka model or alternatively by employing a Viṣṇu-mantra, introducing the forthcoming Amṛtā-dhāraṇā practice.
It exemplifies the text’s compendious ritual manual style—linking distinct ritual templates (a Mātṛ-related rite and Viṣṇu-mantra practice) and then moving into dhāraṇā (a technical meditative/protective method), showing cross-domain integration of pūjā, mantra, and yogic retention practices.
By authorizing Viṣṇu-mantra-based performance of core rites and introducing an ‘Amṛtā’ dhāraṇā, the verse frames these acts as purifying and protective—aimed at sanctifying ritual action and stabilizing spiritual benefit through disciplined mantra and visualization.