Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 4
Chapter 22 — स्नानविधिकथनं
Instruction on the Rite of Bathing
वासदेवप्रजप्तेन तीर्थं सङ्कल्प्य चालभेत् गात्रं वेदादिना मन्त्रैः सम्मार्ज्याराध्य मूर्तिना
vāsadevaprajaptena tīrthaṃ saṅkalpya cālabhet gātraṃ vedādinā mantraiḥ sammārjyārādhya mūrtinā
以诵持（japa）“婆苏提婆”（Vāsudeva）之名/真言加持圣水后，应作誓愿（saṅkalpa）令其成为圣渡处（tīrtha）而取用；继而以吠陀及相关真言净身，并礼拜住于圣像（mūrti）之神。
Lord Agni (in instruction to the sage Vasiṣṭha, per the common Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Puja-vidhi","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Consecration of water (tirtha-sankalpa) and bodily purification prior to icon-worship; establishes ritual purity and correct sequence for Vaishnava puja.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Vasudeva-japa Tirtha-sankalpa and Mantra-sammārjana before Murti-puja","lookup_keywords":["Vasudeva japa","tirtha sankalpa","mantra sammārjana","śauca","murti aradhana"],"quick_summary":"Consecrate water by Vāsudeva-japa, resolve it as tīrtha, purify the body with Vedic mantras, then proceed to worship the deity in icon-form."}
Concept: Mantra and sankalpa transform ordinary substances into ritually potent media; purity precedes deity-contact.
Application: Use japa + sankalpa to sacralize water; perform mantra-based cleansing before approaching the icon.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Vishnu/Vasudeva worship and purification rites)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A devotee consecrates a water vessel by japa of Vāsudeva, performs sankalpa, sprinkles/purifies the body with mantras, then stands before a Vishnu icon for worship.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, Vaishnava priest with water kalasha, palm-leaf mantra text, sanctifying water by japa, then approaching a serene Vishnu mūrti in sanctum, rich reds/ochres, stylized lotus motifs.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central Vishnu mūrti with gold halo and arch, foreground devotee holding tirtha vessel, gesture of sankalpa and sprinkling, heavy gold work, jewel tones.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional puja sequence: water consecration, sankalpa posture, mantra-based purification, then offering at the icon; delicate lines, muted palette, clear ritual implements labeled visually.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly interior turned temple chamber, devotee with small lota and spoon, reciting Vāsudeva, washing/purifying, then facing a Vishnu icon on pedestal; fine detailing of textiles and vessels."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: वासदेवप्रजप्तेन = वासुदेव-प्रजप्तेन (समास). चालभेत् = च + आलभेत्. वेदादिना = वेद-आदिना. सम्मार्ज्याराध्य = सम्मार्ज्य + आराध्य.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Puja-vidhi sections on ācamana, nyāsa, arghya, and snāna (same khanda)
FAQs
It teaches the pūjā-preliminary: sanctify water through Vāsudeva-japa, perform tīrtha-saṅkalpa, purify the body with Vedic/ancillary mantras, and then proceed to mūrti (icon) worship.
It preserves a precise, procedural manual for worship—linking mantra practice (japa), ritual intention (saṅkalpa), purification (śuddhi), and icon worship (mūrti-pūjā)—showing the Purāṇa’s coverage of practical liturgy alongside theology.
By combining consecration (mantra-charged tīrtha), disciplined intention (saṅkalpa), and bodily purification, the act of worship becomes ritually valid and spiritually efficacious, supporting inner and outer purity for merit-bearing devotion.