Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 49
Dīkṣāvidhi-kathana
Explanation of the Rite of Initiation
ॐ यं भूतान्यापातयेहं आदानं कृत्वा चानेन प्रकृत्या योजनं शृणु ताडनेन विमोक्ष्यैवमिति ख, चिह्नितपुस्तकपाठः ॐ यं भूतानि पुंश्चाहो होममन्त्रं प्रवक्ष्यामि ततः पूर्णाहुतेर्मनुं
oṃ yaṃ bhūtānyāpātayehaṃ ādānaṃ kṛtvā cānena prakṛtyā yojanaṃ śṛṇu tāḍanena vimokṣyaivamiti kha, cihnitapustakapāṭhaḥ oṃ yaṃ bhūtāni puṃścāho homamantraṃ pravakṣyāmi tataḥ pūrṇāhutermanuṃ
“oṃ yaṃ——以此我令诸鬼神（bhūta）于此处坠落离散。既行摄取（ādāna）之后，当听依规定法度之施用次第；复以塔陀那（tāḍana）而释放——如是所说。”又有标注本诵读：“oṃ yaṃ——诸bhūta啊！我将宣说护摩真言；其后当诵圆满终供（pūrṇāhuti）之真言。”
Lord Agni (teaching the sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purana frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Bhūta-śānti/exorcistic homa sequence: ādāna (taking up), application per prakriyā, tāḍana to release/expel; variant manuscript reading indicates homa-mantra then pūrṇāhuti-mantra.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Bhūta-āpātana with Ādāna–Tāḍana–Vimokṣa sequence","lookup_keywords":["bhūta-āpātana","ādāna","tāḍana","vimokṣa","homa-mantra"],"quick_summary":"The rite prescribes drawing out (ādāna) and then expelling/releasing (vimokṣa) intrusive bhūtas through mantra and tāḍana; a textual variant notes the order of homa-mantra and pūrṇāhuti-mantra."}
Concept: Ritual technology for removing subtle afflictions: controlled 'taking up' and 'release' governed by mantra and prescribed procedure (prakriyā).
Application: In protective rites, follow the sequence precisely—first extraction (ādāna), then expulsion (tāḍana/vimokṣa), then proceed to homa closure as per the tradition/reading.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Agneya-vidya (Homa-mantra and Bhuta-shanti / exorcistic rite)
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A protective ritual where the officiant symbolically draws out a dark intrusive presence (ādāna) from the disciple and then drives it away with tāḍana, beside a blazing homa fire; marginal note indicates alternate recitation order.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: dramatic contrast—dark bhūta-form being pulled away, priest with commanding gesture, homa flames, protective circles; stylized marginal 'grantha' note motif to hint at variant reading.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: richly ornamented altar, gold flames, priest and disciple; the expelled force shown as a small dark cloud outside a golden aura boundary; decorative script panel for the variant mantra note.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: stepwise layout—panel 1 ādāna (drawing gesture), panel 2 tāḍana (tapping), panel 3 vimokṣa (release outward), with homa altar constant; clear didactic style.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: refined interior with ritual implements, subtle depiction of a smoky entity being ushered out, attendants holding manuscripts; a small calligraphic marginalia cartouche."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: भूतान्यापातय → भूतानि + आपातय; चानेन → च + अनेन; विमोक्ष्यैवम् → विमोक्ष्य + एवम्; पुंश्च → पुम् + च.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 27 (bhūta-śuddhi, homa-prayoga, pūrṇāhuti mantras)
FAQs
It outlines a bhūta-nivāraṇa (spirit-warding) homa instruction using the bīja “yaṃ,” including the sequence of ādāna (ritual taking-up), yojana (proper application), tāḍana (ritual striking to expel), and the concluding purṇāhuti mantra.
Beyond mythic narration, it preserves practical liturgical technology—specific mantras, procedural verbs, and rite-steps—showing the Agni Purana functioning as a manual for applied ritual (homa, pacification, and protective rites).
The rite aims at purification and protection: removing afflictive influences (bhūtas) from a place/person through mantra and fire-offering, culminating in purṇāhuti to seal the ritual merit and restore auspiciousness.