Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 38
Dīkṣāvidhi-kathana
Explanation of the Rite of Initiation
ततः सम्प्रार्थ्य कम्भेशं सूत्रं संहृत्य देशिकः मायासूत्रे सुशोभने इति ङ, चिह्नितपुस्तकपाठः करालं कर्तरीञ्चापि इति ख, ग, चिह्नितपुस्तकद्वयपाठः वितानभवगन्धकैर् इति ख, चिह्नितपुस्तकपाठः वितानपटकेन्द्रियैर् इति ग, घ, चिह्नितपुस्तकद्वयपाठः अग्नेः समीपमागत्य पार्श्वे तं सन्निवेश्य तु
tataḥ samprārthya kambheśaṃ sūtraṃ saṃhṛtya deśikaḥ māyāsūtre suśobhane iti ṅa, cihnitapustakapāṭhaḥ karālaṃ kartarīñcāpi iti kha, ga, cihnitapustakadvayapāṭhaḥ vitānabhavagandhakair iti kha, cihnitapustakapāṭhaḥ vitānapaṭakendriyair iti ga, gha, cihnitapustakadvayapāṭhaḥ agneḥ samīpamāgatya pārśve taṃ sanniveśya tu
随后，依礼祈请坎毗舍（Kambheśa）之后，主祭导师（deśika）收拢仪式之绳（sūtra）。他走近圣火，将其置于火坛一侧，并安放于彼处。
Lord Agni (narrating the ritual procedure to the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Ritual handling of the maya-sutra/ritual cord in homa: after invoking the deity (Kambhesha), the officiant gathers the cord and places it beside the fire-altar as part of the procedure.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Maya-sutra-samharana and placement near Agni in Homa","lookup_keywords":["deshika","maya-sutra","kambhesha","homa-procedure","agni-parshva"],"quick_summary":"After propitiating Kambheśa, the deśika collects the ritual cord and positions it at the side of the sacred fire, marking a controlled transition in the rite."}
Concept: Ritual discipline (kriya) as a means to regulate subtle forces symbolized by the cord (sutra) and its controlled withdrawal/placement.
Application: Maintain precise sequencing and spatial placement of implements to preserve mantra-śakti continuity in homa.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Tantra (Homa, Yantra–sutra, and ritual procedure)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: Tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A deśika in ritual attire gathers a sacred cord and places it carefully beside a blazing homa-fire on a kunda, within a consecrated pavilion.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, priestly deśika near square fire-pit, cord in hands, stylized flames, ritual pavilion pillars, warm earthy palette, clear side-placement gesture","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, homa-kunda with gold-highlighted flames, deśika placing the cord at the fire’s side, ornate borders, rich reds and gold work","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clean instructional depiction of yajna-shala layout: fire-pit, cord placement point marked, deśika shown mid-action, fine lines and soft colors","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed ritual courtyard, deśika bending to set cord beside fire, attendants and implements neatly arranged, delicate flame rendering"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":null,"pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सम्प्रार्थ्य (सम्+प्र+अर्थ्) क्त्वा; संहृत्य (सं+हृ) क्त्वा; मायासूत्रे = माया+सूत्रे; समीपमागत्य = समीपम् + आगत्य. मध्यभागे पाठान्तर-टिप्पण्यः (iti ṅa/kha/ga/gha...) श्लोकाङ्गत्वेन न गृहीताः।
Related Themes: Agni Purana 27 (puja-vidhi: yantra–sutra and homa handling steps)
FAQs
It gives a procedural instruction in homa/puja: after invoking the presiding power (Kambheśa), the deśika gathers the ritual cord (sūtra) and places it beside the sacred fire, indicating correct handling and placement of ritual implements.
Beyond mythology, it preserves minute liturgical mechanics—how an officiant physically manages a key ritual implement (sūtra) in relation to Agni—showing the text’s catalog-like coverage of practical worship technology (puja-vidhi) alongside other sciences.
Correct placement and orderly handling of ritual implements near Agni is treated as essential to ritual purity (śuddhi) and efficacy (siddhi), aligning the act with prescribed dharma so the offering becomes spiritually fruitful rather than defective.