Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 15
Chapter 303: Mantras for Worship Beginning with the Five-syllable (Pañcākṣara) — पञ्चाक्षरादिपूजामन्त्राः
ध्मात्वा दिव्यं वपुस्तस्मिन्नात्मानञ्च पुनर्नयेत् कृत्वेवं चात्मशुद्धिः स्याद्विन्यस्यार्चनमारभेत्
dhmātvā divyaṃ vapustasminnātmānañca punarnayet kṛtvevaṃ cātmaśuddhiḥ syādvinyasyārcanamārabhet
将（观想之相）以仪轨灌注为天妙之身后，应再令自我（我、ātman）回归安住其中。如此则自净圆成；继而行尼耶娑（nyāsa，安置真言）毕，当开始供奉礼拜（arcana）。
Lord Agni (in instruction to sage Vasiṣṭha, Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Ātma-śuddhi and devatā-āveśa visualization preceding nyāsa and arcana in daily/occasional pūjā.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Ātmaśuddhi by Divya-deha-nyāsa before Arcana","lookup_keywords":["ātmaśuddhi","divya-vapu","nyāsa","arcana","pūjā-vidhi"],"quick_summary":"Visualize and infuse a divine body into the contemplated form, re-seat the self into it, thereby completing self-purification; then perform nyāsa and begin worship."}
Concept: Deha-śuddhi and devatā-sāyujya-bhāvanā as prerequisite for effective mantra-nyāsa and pūjā.
Application: Before pūjā, perform internal visualization to shift identity from ordinary body-mind to mantra-deity embodiment, then proceed to external offerings.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Tantric/Agamic worship procedure and nyasa)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A sādhaka seated in āsana, eyes half-closed, visualizing a radiant divine body, then touching limbs in nyāsa before beginning arcana at a small altar.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, flat rich colors, sādhaka in white dhoti performing nyāsa mudrās, glowing divya-deha aura, small pūjā-vedi with lamp and flowers, sacred calm atmosphere.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central sādhaka with stylized halo, gold-leaf highlights on divya-vapu radiance, ornate pūjā items (deepa, kalasha), symmetrical composition, devotional solemnity.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, fine linework showing stepwise nyāsa touches on body, labeled limb points subtly, soft pastel background, instructional yet sacred tone.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed interior shrine room, sādhaka seated on carpet, delicate rendering of hands touching limbs, small altar with incense, subtle luminous aura around body."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: vapustasminn → vapuḥ + tasmin; ātmānañca → ātmānam + ca; punarnayet → punaḥ + nayet; kṛtvevaṃ → kृत्वा + एवम्; cātmaśuddhiḥ → ca + आत्मशुद्धिः; syādvinyasya → syāt + vinya(s)ya; vinyasyārcanamārabhet → vinya(s)ya + arcanam + ārabhet.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 303 (Pūjā-vidhi/nyāsa sequence)
FAQs
It teaches the pre-arcana sequence: ritually vitalize a divine body/form, reintegrate the self into it, accomplish ātma-śuddhi, then perform nyāsa and only afterward begin arcana.
Beyond mythology, it preserves precise, step-by-step ritual technology—visualization, self-purification, and mantra-nyāsa—showing the Agni Purana as a manual of applied worship (pūjā-vidhi) alongside its many other disciplines.
It frames worship as effective only after inner purification and mantra-installation (nyāsa), implying that correct preparatory sanctification aligns the practitioner’s body-mind with the deity and purifies karmic impurity before offering rites.