Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 13
Dīkṣāvidhi-kathana
Explanation of the Rite of Initiation
प्रक्षाल्यालिप्य तत् कुर्यादूर्ध्वपुण्ड्रं तु भस्मना नारायणेन पार्श्वेषु चरुमेवं सुसंस्कृतं
prakṣālyālipya tat kuryādūrdhvapuṇḍraṃ tu bhasmanā nārāyaṇena pārśveṣu carumevaṃ susaṃskṛtaṃ
先洗净而后涂抹，应以圣灰画出竖向宗派印记（ūrdhva-puṇḍra）；并在其两侧书写“那罗延那”(Nārāyaṇa)。如此则仪轨得以如法净化与加持。
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Daily/initiatory Vaishnava śauca and sectarian marking: washing, anointing, applying ūrdhva-puṇḍra with bhasma, and writing ‘Nārāyaṇa’ on the sides to formalize identity, purity, and eligibility for worship.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Ūrdhva-puṇḍra with bhasma and Nārāyaṇa-nāma-lekha","lookup_keywords":["ūrdhva-puṇḍra","bhasma-dhāraṇa","Nārāyaṇa","tilaka","śauca"],"quick_summary":"After washing and anointing, apply the vertical Vaishnava mark using sacred ash and inscribe ‘Nārāyaṇa’ on both sides—this completes the sanctifying rite for worship."}
Concept: Bāhya-śuddhi and bhakti-cihna: bodily marks as reminders of inner dedication and as ritual qualification.
Application: Before pūjā, maintain cleanliness and apply sectarian marks with correct materials and mantra/nāma to stabilize attention and observance.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Vaishnava tilaka and bhasma-dharana rites)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A devotee, freshly washed, applies a vertical tilaka with sacred ash on the forehead and writes ‘Nārāyaṇa’ on both sides, with a small pūjā tray nearby.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, close-up devotional portrait, forehead with crisp ūrdhva-puṇḍra in pale ash tone, stylized script ‘Nārāyaṇa’ flanking, oil-lamp and conch on a small tray, bold outlines and traditional color blocks.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style bust portrait, gold-leaf halo, devotee applying bhasma tilaka, ornate jewelry, ‘Nārāyaṇa’ rendered as decorative side inscriptions, rich textile patterns, embossed gold accents.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, step-by-step depiction: washing, anointing, applying ūrdhva-puṇḍra with bhasma, writing ‘Nārāyaṇa’ on both sides; clean composition, soft pastel palette, instructional clarity.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, intimate interior with mirror and pūjā items, devotee applying ash tilaka, fine calligraphy for ‘Nārāyaṇa’ on either side, delicate shading and architectural detail."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: प्रक्षाल्यालिप्य = प्रक्षाल्य + आलिप्य; कुर्यादूर्ध्वपुण्ड्रं = कुर्यात् + ऊर्ध्वपुण्ड्रम्; चरुमेवं = चरुम् + एवम्
Related Themes: Agni Purana 27 (Pūjā-vidhi: tilaka/bhasma section)
FAQs
It teaches a precise puja-vidhi: cleanse and anoint, apply the ūrdhva-puṇḍra using bhasma, and place the name ‘Nārāyaṇa’ on the sides to complete the sanctified devotional marking.
It preserves a practical, step-by-step liturgical detail (body-marking, mantra placement, and purification sequence), showing how the Agni Purana functions as a manual of ritual technology alongside its many other domains.
The act links bodily purity (washing/anointing) with devotional identification (ūrdhva-puṇḍra and Nārāyaṇa-name), marking the practitioner as consecrated for worship and reinforcing remembrance of Viṣṇu as a purifying merit-bearing discipline.