Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 4
Śrāddha-kalpa-kathana
Exposition of the Śrāddha Procedure
आवाहयेदनुज्ञातो विश्वे देवास इत्य् ऋचा यवैरन्ववकीर्याथ भाजने सपवित्रके
āvāhayedanujñāto viśve devāsa ity ṛcā yavairanvavakīryātha bhājane sapavitrake
在获得许可后，应以《梨俱吠陀》中以“Viśve devāsaḥ…”开头的颂句来召请诸神；随后，在配有pavitra（库沙草净环/仪式净具）的器皿中，依仪轨向四周洒散大麦粒。
Lord Agni (in the Agni Purana’s primary narration to Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vrata","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Deva-āvāhana in pūjā/homa: invoke Viśve Devāḥ with the specified Ṛg-mantra and ritually mark/sanctify the offering-space by paryavakīraṇa (scattering) of yava in a pavitra-equipped vessel.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Deva-āvāhana with “Viśve devāsaḥ” and yava-paryavakīraṇa","lookup_keywords":["āvāhana","Viśve devāsaḥ","yava","pavitra","paryavakīraṇa"],"quick_summary":"After obtaining ritual permission (anujñā), invoke the deities using the Ṛg-vedic “Viśve devāsaḥ…” and scatter barley grains from a pavitra-furnished vessel to consecrate the rite-space."}
Concept: Mantra and dravya (substance) together effect āvāhana and saṃskāra of the ritual field; anujñā signals alignment with devatā and rite.
Application: In daily/occasional pūjā, do not begin āvāhana without anujñā; use prescribed mantra and pure vessel with pavitra for offerings.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Deva-āvāhana and Homa/Upacāra procedures)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritualist seated at a vedi invokes the Viśve Devāḥ, holding a small vessel with a kuśa-pavitra ring; barley grains are being scattered in a consecrating circle around the offering area.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, warm earthy palette, priest in white dhoti near a small vedi, subtle depiction of Viśve Devāḥ as radiant presences, kuśa-pavitra ring on vessel, barley grains scattering in arcs, sacred calm atmosphere","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central priest at vedi with ornate arch, gold leaf highlights on ritual vessels and haloed divine presence, detailed pavitra ring, stylized barley grains, rich reds and greens","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, fine line work showing step-by-step āvāhana, labeled ritual items (pātra, pavitra, yava), soft pastel background, instructional composition","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly precision, priest and assistants around a small fire-altar, delicate rendering of grains scattering, patterned textiles, minimal divine forms as luminous clouds"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: इत्य् ऋचा = इति + ऋचा; यवैरन्ववकीर्याथ = यवैः + अन्ववकीर्य + अथ; सपवित्रके = स + पवित्रके (समास/योग).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 163 (Pūjā-vidhi sequence: anujñā, āvāhana, upacāra, homa); Agni Purana sections on homa-dravya and pavitra usage
FAQs
It teaches the formal method of devatā-āvāhana: obtain ritual permission, invoke using a specific Ṛgvedic ṛc (for the Viśve Devāḥ), and perform sanctifying strewing/sprinkling with barley using a properly prepared vessel with a pavitra.
It preserves precise, procedural liturgy—mantra-selection, authorized sequence, and ritual implements (yava, pavitra, bhājana)—showing the text’s practical coverage of temple/household worship alongside its many other disciplines.
Correct invocation with Vedic mantra and purified implements is held to ensure deity-presence (āvāhana) and ritual purity, supporting merit (puṇya) and removal of obstacles through properly ordered worship.