Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 9
Dīkṣāvidhi-kathana
Explanation of the Rite of Initiation
सवस्त्रं पञ्चरत्नाढ्यं खण्डिले पूजयेद्धरिं अग्नावपि समभ्यर्च्य मन्त्रान् सञ्जप्य पूर्ववत्
savastraṃ pañcaratnāḍhyaṃ khaṇḍile pūjayeddhariṃ agnāvapi samabhyarcya mantrān sañjapya pūrvavat
应在祭坛khaṇḍila上礼敬哈利（Hari），奉献衣布，并以“五宝”庄严供品；又当于火中如法供养，随后如前诵持诸真言。
Lord Agni (in instruction to Sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purana dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Stotra","practical_application":"Vaishnava worship protocol: offering cloth and pañcaratna, altar-puja to Hari, parallel fire-worship, then mantra-japa continuation.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Hari-puja with pañcaratna and fire-worship with mantra-japa","lookup_keywords":["Hari-puja","pañcaratna","khāṇḍila (altar)","homa","mantra-japa"],"quick_summary":"Worship Hari on the altar with cloth and five-gem offering; worship likewise in the fire and continue mantra repetition in the established sequence."}
Concept: Upachāra (offerings) and homa are complementary channels of worship; mantra-japa sustains continuity of intention and invocation.
Application: When performing Viṣṇu-puja with homa, mirror the worship in both altar and fire, and keep mantra-count/sequence consistent (‘pūrvavat’).
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Hari-puja and Homa-related ritual procedure)
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A devotee-priest worships Hari on a ritual altar, offering cloth and a tray of five gems; nearby a homa fire burns as he continues mantra-japa.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, Viṣṇu presence behind altar, priest offering vastra and pañcaratna tray, homa-kunda with stylized flames, rhythmic composition, deep reds/greens.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, Hari with ornate crown, gold-leaf aura, priest presenting cloth and five gems, homa fire with gold highlights, rich temple interior and jeweled offerings.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clear altar (khāṇḍila) geometry, labeled pañcaratna set, priest posture for japa, homa-kunda to the side, soft shading and instructional clarity.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed gem tray and textiles, priest seated by altar and fire, attendants with puja items, delicate flame rendering, architectural niche suggesting Hari’s presence."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: pūjayeddhariṃ → pūjayet + harim; agnāvapi → agnau + api.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 27 (puja-vidhi continuation; homa and mantra sequence)
FAQs
It prescribes a combined Hari-pūjā and homa sequence: worship on the ritual altar (khaṇḍila) with cloth and pañcaratna offering, then worship in Agni followed by mantra-japa in the previously taught method.
It shows the text’s procedural ritual detail—linking icon/altar worship, specific material offerings (cloth, pañcaratna), fire-rite (homa), and mantra discipline—demonstrating how the Purana functions as a practical manual alongside theology.
By uniting material offerings, fire-worship, and mantra repetition, the rite is framed as a complete act of devotion and purification, aimed at accruing religious merit (puṇya) through correctly performed worship.