Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 5
Chapter 22 — स्नानविधिकथनं
Instruction on the Rite of Bathing
कृत्वाघमर्षणं वस्त्रं परिधाय समाचरेत् विन्यस्य मन्त्रैर् द्विर्मार्ज्य पाणिस्थं जलमेव च
kṛtvāghamarṣaṇaṃ vastraṃ paridhāya samācaret vinyasya mantrair dvirmārjya pāṇisthaṃ jalameva ca
行毕“灭罪”（Aghamarṣaṇa）之仪后，应着衣而行其法；继而以诸真言作安置（nyāsa），并将掌中之水亦两度拭净（净化）。
Lord Agni (instructional narration to the sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Puja-vidhi","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Aghamarṣaṇa + śauca protocol: don clean cloth, perform mantra-nyāsa, and double-purify palm-water for ācamana/prāyaścitta-oriented readiness.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Aghamarṣaṇa, Vastra-dhāraṇa, Nyāsa, and Dvi-mārjana of Pāṇi-jala","lookup_keywords":["Aghamarshana","nyasa","acamana water","dvi marjana","śauca"],"quick_summary":"After Aghamarṣaṇa and donning clean cloth, perform mantra-nyāsa and purify the water in the palm twice before use in ācamana/rites."}
Concept: Ritual purity is enacted through prescribed acts (kriyā) and mantra; inner and outer śauca are coordinated.
Application: Use Aghamarṣaṇa as a reset/atonement; ensure clean clothing and mantra-empowered water before proceeding.
Khanda Section: Pūjā-vidhi (Śauca & Ācamana / Prāyaścitta-oriented ritual procedure)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A practitioner completes Aghamarṣaṇa, puts on a clean garment, performs nyāsa with mantras, and twice wipes/purifies water held in the palm for ācamana.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, priest near water pot, wearing fresh white cloth, right palm holding water, left hand performing mārjana gesture twice, subtle mantra scroll motifs, temple lamp in background.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, devotee in clean vastra, ornate border, holding palm-water, performing nyāsa gestures; gold accents on vessels and ritual tray.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, stepwise depiction: aghamarṣaṇa posture, changing into clean cloth, nyāsa on body points, then dvi-mārjana of palm-water; clear didactic composition.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, intimate ritual scene with fine utensils, devotee seated on carpet, washing hands, holding water in palm, performing precise wiping gesture twice; detailed textiles and metalwork."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: कृत्वाघमर्षणम् = कृत्वा + अघमर्षणम्. मन्त्रैर् = मन्त्रैः (visarga sandhi). पाणिस्थम् = पाणि-स्थम्. जलमेव = जलम् + एव.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Puja-vidhi passages on ācamana, aghamarṣaṇa, and nyāsa (same khanda)
FAQs
It teaches a precise śauca sequence: perform Aghamarṣaṇa, don clean cloth, do mantra-nyāsa, and ritually cleanse (wipe) the palm-held water twice before proceeding with further rites such as ācamana or pūjā.
Beyond mythology, the Agni Purāṇa preserves step-by-step liturgical technique—mantra application (nyāsa), bodily/ritual cleanliness (śauca), and handling of consecrated water—showing its practical manual-like coverage of daily and ceremonial religion.
Aghamarṣaṇa is explicitly sin-dispelling; pairing it with mantra-nyāsa and careful purification of the water used in rites ensures inner and outer cleanliness, supporting karmic purification and eligibility for worship.