Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 18
Chapter 40 — भूपरिग्रहो नाम
Bhū-parigraha) / अर्घ्यदानविधानम् (Arghya-dāna-vidhāna
मध्ये चतुष्पदे स्थाप्या ब्रह्मणे तिलतण्डुलाः चरकीं माषसर्पिभ्यां स्कन्दं कृशरयासृजा
madhye catuṣpade sthāpyā brahmaṇe tilataṇḍulāḥ carakīṃ māṣasarpibhyāṃ skandaṃ kṛśarayāsṛjā
在中央四方之域，应置芝麻与米粒以供奉梵天。又当以黑豆（黑扁豆）与酥油制carakī为供；并以kṛśara（豆米同煮之饭）连同血/肉汁供奉斯坎达。
Lord Agni (narrating Agni Purana’s ritual procedure)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vrata","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Central bali/naivedya placement in the mandala: assigning specific food-substances to Brahma and Skanda to complete the offering circuit.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Madhya-bali: Brahmā (tila-tandula), Skanda (carakī; kṛśara with asṛk)","lookup_keywords":["madhya chatushpada","Brahma offering","tila tandula","Skanda bali","krishara"],"quick_summary":"In the central square place sesame and rice grains for Brahmā; offer carakī prepared with black gram and ghee; and offer Skanda kṛśara together with blood/meat-juice as specified in the bali scheme."}
Concept: Ritual centrality: the madhya is reserved for high-order deities; substances encode deity-nature (tila/tandula for Brahmā; hearty preparations for Skanda).
Application: When laying out bali, prioritize the central placement and keep offerings distinct to avoid mixing/ritual confusion.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Ritual offerings and bali arrangements)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A square mandala with a clearly marked central compartment; a small heap of sesame and rice for Brahma; bowls of carakī with black gram and ghee; and a vessel of kṛśara with a red-tinted liquid symbolizing asṛk for Skanda; priest arranging items symmetrically.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, central square mandala emphasized, priest placing tila-tandula in the center for Brahmā, nearby offerings of carakī and kṛśara with red asṛk symbol, stylized Brahmā and Skanda faintly present, bold outlines and warm tones","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting with gold leaf on vessels and halos, Brahmā and Skanda icon-presences above the central offerings, ornate bowls of sesame-rice and kṛśara, rich textile backdrop","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clean instructional layout: central square labeled ‘madhya’, neat piles of sesame and rice, bowls of carakī and kṛśara, careful symmetry and fine brushwork","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, ritual pavilion with geometric floor design, priest and assistants placing distinct offerings in the central compartment, detailed utensils, subtle depiction of Skanda’s martial aura"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: kṛśarayāsṛjā → kṛśarayā + asṛjā.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 40 (central and quadrant bali placements)
FAQs
It specifies deity-wise bali/naivedya arrangement: in a central quadrangular ritual space, sesame and rice are placed for Brahmā, while specific prepared foods (carakī with urad and ghee; kṛśara with asṛk) are offered for Skanda.
It preserves practical, procedural details of temple/household ritual—mandala-based placement and deity-specific offerings—showing the text’s catalog-like coverage of applied liturgy alongside other sciences.
Following prescribed offerings and placements is presented as a means to properly satisfy the respective deities, supporting purification, ritual completeness, and the accrual of merit through correct performance (vidhi).