Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 12
Chapter 34 — होमादिविधिः
The Procedure for Homa and Related Rites
आनीय दशकुम्भेषु इन्द्राद्यान् लोकपान् यजेत् पूज्याज्ञां श्रावयेत्तांश् च स्थातव्यं चाज्ञया हरेः
ānīya daśakumbheṣu indrādyān lokapān yajet pūjyājñāṃ śrāvayettāṃś ca sthātavyaṃ cājñayā hareḥ
将十个仪式水罐（kumbha）迎置安列之后，应在其中礼敬因陀罗及诸世界守护者（Lokapāla）。礼毕，当向彼等宣诵应受尊奉之命令（ājñā），并令其依哈利（毗湿奴）之敕令各安其位而驻守。
Lord Agni (narrating ritual procedure to sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vrata","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Kalasha-sthāpana with daśa-kumbha arrangement and Lokapāla-āvāhana/arcana to ritually secure directions and the yāga-space before main worship.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Daśa-kumbheṣu Lokapāla-pūjā and Ājñā-śravaṇa","lookup_keywords":["daśa-kumbha","lokapāla-pūjā","indra-ādi","ājñā","hari-vidhi"],"quick_summary":"Install ten ritual pots and worship Indra and the other Lokapālas in them; then formally recite the divine injunction so they remain stationed as directional protectors under Hari’s command."}
Concept: Ritual authority (ājñā) and cosmic order: guardians function when invoked and stationed under the supreme deity’s injunction.
Application: In pūjā, explicitly ‘assign’ protective deities to directions to prevent ritual obstacles (vighna) and stabilize the sankalpa.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Kalasha-sthapana and Lokapala-pujana)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A yajamāna and priest before a consecrated altar arrange ten water-pots; each pot is marked for a direction and invoked with Indra and other Lokapālas, while a formal ‘ājñā’ is proclaimed for them to remain stationed.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, flat yet vivid colors, ritual pavilion with ten kalashas in a mandala layout, Indra and Lokapālas subtly indicated as directional presences, priest reciting ājñā, sacred lamps, stylized lotuses, traditional ornamentation.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central kalasha arrangement with rich gold leaf highlights on pot bands and ornaments, small framed Lokapāla icons around, priest and yajamāna in silk, emphasis on auspicious geometry and brilliance.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, clean linework and soft shading, instructional clarity: ten labeled pots by direction, priest chanting, minimal background, delicate gesso-gold accents.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed ritual court scene inside a pavilion, ten pots arranged symmetrically, attendants holding offerings, calligraphic banner-like depiction of ‘ājñā’, fine textiles and architectural detail."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shri","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: श्रावयेत्तांश् → śrāvayet tān; चाज्ञया → ca ājñayā; हरेः is genitive dependent on ājñayā (by the command of Hari).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 34 (Pūjā-vidhi: kalasha-sthāpana, dikpāla/lokapāla-arcana)
FAQs
It teaches the kalasha-based worship of Indra and the other Lokapālas by invoking them into ten kumbhas and formally reciting the post-pūjā injunction for their stationed presence.
By prescribing a precise, procedural pūjā-vidhi (kumbha arrangement, deity invocation, and commanded placement), it exemplifies the Agni Purana’s role as a practical ritual handbook alongside its many other disciplines.
Honoring the Lokapālas under Hari’s injunction is a protective and order-establishing rite, intended to secure auspiciousness, remove obstacles, and align the ritual space with cosmic guardianship.