Agni Purana — Ayurveda, Shloka 6
Vṛkṣāyurveda (The Science of Plant-Life) — Tree Placement, Muhūrta, Irrigation, Spacing, and Plant Remedies
संपूज्य वरुणं विष्णुं पर्जन्यं तत् समाचरेत् अरिष्टाशोकपुन्नागशिरीषाः सप्रियङ्गवः
saṃpūjya varuṇaṃ viṣṇuṃ parjanyaṃ tat samācaret ariṣṭāśokapunnāgaśirīṣāḥ sapriyaṅgavaḥ
当先如法礼敬伐楼那（Varuṇa）、毗湿奴（Viṣṇu）与降雨之神帕尔贾尼亚（Parjanya）之后，便应行此仪轨，并取吉祥之草木：阿里什塔（ariṣṭa）、阿输迦（aśoka）、本那伽（punnāga）、尸利沙（śirīṣa），并配以普利央古（priyāṅgu）。
Lord Agni (in instruction to the sage Vasiṣṭha, per the common Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Puja-vidhi","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Deva-puja sequence and selection of auspicious botanical dravyas (leaves/flowers/wood) for ritual performance to secure rain, protection, and well-being.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Varuṇa–Viṣṇu–Parjanya-pūjā with auspicious plant-dravyas","lookup_keywords":["Varuna puja","Parjanya","Vishnu worship","ariṣṭa aśoka punnāga śirīṣa","priyāṅgu dravya"],"quick_summary":"After worshipping Varuṇa, Viṣṇu, and Parjanya, the rite is completed using specified auspicious plants as ritual materials, aligning deity-invocation with botanical śubha-dravya."}
Concept: Ritual efficacy through proper devatā-krama (sequence) and śubha-dravya (auspicious materials).
Application: Use prescribed botanical offerings to harmonize with the invoked devatās—especially for rain/seasonal welfare rites.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Deva-puja and ritual procedures)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritual altar with three deity-presences (Varuṇa, Viṣṇu, Parjanya) being worshipped; offerings include branches/flowers of ariṣṭa, aśoka, punnāga, śirīṣa and priyāṅgu arranged in trays.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, flat vibrant colors, priest performing pūjā before stylized Varuṇa with water-pot and makara motif, Viṣṇu with śaṅkha-cakra, Parjanya amid rain-clouds; foreground shows aśoka and punnāga blossoms, śirīṣa leaves, priyāṅgu grains; sacred lamp glow.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-leaf haloed Viṣṇu central with Varuṇa and Parjanya flanking, ornate arch, rich jewel tones; gold detailing on offering plates filled with ariṣṭa/aśoka/punnāga/śirīṣa/priyāṅgu; temple lamp and kalasha.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, delicate linework and soft shading; instructional pūjā setup with labeled botanical offerings, priest in profile offering flowers; subtle rain-cloud motif for Parjanya; calm sanctum interior.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, fine detailing; a courtly priest performing rite in a pavilion, three deity emblems depicted iconically; botanical specimens carefully rendered (aśoka leaves, punnāga flowers, śirīṣa foliage, priyāṅgu) on a tray; water vessels referencing Varuṇa."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: संपूज्य = सम्+पूज्य (क्त्वा); समाचरेत् = सम्+आ+चरेत्; अरिष्टाशोकपुन्नागशिरीषाः treated as इतरेतर-द्वन्द्व; सप्रियङ्गवः = स+प्रियङ्गवः (sa- prefix).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 281 (pūjā/dravya and vṛkṣa-related instructions in adjoining verses)
FAQs
It prescribes a puja-sequence: first worship Varuṇa, Viṣṇu, and Parjanya, and then carry out the indicated rite employing specific auspicious trees/flowers (ariṣṭa, aśoka, punnāga, śirīṣa, priyāṅgu) as ritual materials.
It exemplifies the text’s practical cataloging of ritual protocol alongside a curated list of botanicals used in ceremonies—blending deity-worship, rain/seasonal concerns, and traditional plant-lore in a single procedural instruction.
By honoring water, preservation, and rainfall deities and using auspicious ritual plants, the act is framed as harmonizing cosmic forces (ṛta), supporting prosperity and timely rains, and accruing merit through correct observance (vidhi) and purity of offering.