Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 35
Dīkṣāvidhi-kathana
Explanation of the Rite of Initiation
मण्डलेथ यजेद्विष्णुं ततः सन्तर्प्य पावकं आहूय दीक्षयेच्छिष्यान् बद्धपद्मासनस्थितान्
maṇḍaletha yajedviṣṇuṃ tataḥ santarpya pāvakaṃ āhūya dīkṣayecchiṣyān baddhapadmāsanasthitān
继而于曼荼罗(maṇḍala)之中礼拜毗湿奴(Viṣṇu)；随后以供献使圣火帕瓦卡(Pāvaka)得以满足(santarpya)，复加召请，并为诸弟子授灌顶入门(dīkṣā)，彼等端坐于缚莲华坐(baddha-padma-āsana)。
Lord Agni (in discourse to sage Vasiṣṭha, the standard Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Maṇḍala-based Viṣṇu worship followed by fire-offering (homa) and formal initiation of disciples seated in baddha-padma-āsana; integrates pūjā, agni-santarpana, and dīkṣā.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Maṇḍale Viṣṇu-yajana, Agni-santarpana, and Dīkṣā in Baddha-padma","lookup_keywords":["maṇḍala","viṣṇu-pūjā","agni-santarpana","homa","baddha-padma-āsana"],"quick_summary":"Worship Viṣṇu within the mandala, nourish the sacred fire with offerings, invoke it as witness, and initiate properly seated disciples—linking deity, fire, and disciple in one consecratory sequence."}
Concept: Dīkṣā is a structured transmission: deity-centered worship, fire as purifier/witness, and disciplined bodily posture (āsana) to stabilize mind and prāṇa.
Application: In initiation ceremonies, keep a defined mandala, complete homa before dīkṣā, and seat initiands in stable baddha-padma to support mantra reception and ritual focus.
Khanda Section: Pūjā-vidhi / Dīkṣā-vidhi (Manḍala-kalpa and initiation procedure)
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A geometric mandala on the floor with Viṣṇu worship at its center; a homa fire burns in a small altar. Disciples sit in baddha-padma-āsana in a semicircle while the guru invokes Agni and begins initiation.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, bold mandala geometry, central Viṣṇu icon presence, glowing homa fire, disciples in symmetrical baddha-padma, priest with ladle, warm reds and ochres, temple interior stylization","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, Viṣṇu emphasized with gold aura, homa fire with gold highlights, disciples seated in lotus posture, ornate vessels, rich textiles, ceremonial grandeur","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional clarity: precise baddha-padma posture, mandala lines crisp, homa-kunda proportions clear, guru performing offering with ladle, soft colors and fine detailing","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed floor mandala, small fire altar with smoke curls, guru and disciples in ordered arrangement, delicate rendering of ritual implements and garments"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: यजेद्विष्णुम् = यजेत् + विष्णुम्; दीक्षयेच्छिष्यान् = दीक्षयेत् + शिष्यान्; बद्धपद्मासनस्थितान् analyzed as a multi-member tatpurusha compound.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 27 (maṇḍala-kalpa; homa and dīkṣā order)
FAQs
It prescribes a precise dīkṣā sequence: worship Viṣṇu within a maṇḍala, propitiate/invigorate Agni with offerings, invoke the fire, and then confer initiation on disciples seated steadily in baddha padmāsana.
It integrates multiple domains in one operational instruction—maṇḍala-ritual construction (tantric/pujā-vidhi), homa/Agni propitiation (Vedic-ritual technology), and yogic seating discipline (āsana)—showing the Agni Purāṇa’s practical, procedural breadth.
The verse frames initiation as a purified transmission: Viṣṇu-worship establishes auspiciousness, Agni-offerings purify and consecrate, and disciplined posture supports focused receptivity—together aiming at a sanctified, merit-bearing dīkṣā.