Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 5
Aghīrāstra-ādi-Śānti-kalpaḥ
Rite for Pacification of Aghora-Astra and Other Weapons
लक्षं ग्रहादिनाशः स्यादुत्पाते तिलहोमनम् दिव्ये लक्षं तदर्धेन व्योमजोत्पातनाशनं
lakṣaṃ grahādināśaḥ syādutpāte tilahomanam divye lakṣaṃ tadardhena vyomajotpātanāśanaṃ
据说以十万次（lakṣa）供献可除诸曜（graha）等所致之灾；若现凶变（utpāta），当行“芝麻火供”（tilahoma）。若为天界之兆（divya），亦行十万供；以其半数，则能灭除空中所起之凶兆。
Lord Agni (traditionally narrating Agni Purana teachings to the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Jyotisha","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Quantified homa prescriptions (lakṣa/half-lakṣa) with tila offerings to pacify different classes of utpāta—graha-related, general ominous portents, and celestial/sky-borne anomalies.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Tila-homa counts for Graha/Divya/Vyomaja Utpāta-śānti","lookup_keywords":["utpāta-śānti","tilahoma","lakṣa-homa","divya-utpāta","vyomaja-utpāta"],"quick_summary":"Specifies offering counts: a lakṣa-scale homa for graha-related harm; sesame-offering for utpāta; and differentiated counts for divine/celestial and sky-borne portents."}
Concept: Portents (utpāta) are treated as actionable signals; prescribed ritual measures and quantified offerings are the corrective interface between human order and cosmic disturbance.
Application: When unusual celestial/atmospheric signs are reported, commission tila-homa with the stated counts, scaling effort to the portent’s class (divya/vyomaja).
Khanda Section: Jyotiṣa–Śānti (Utpāta-śānti: pacification of celestial/atmospheric portents)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A fire altar with heaps of sesame seeds ready for offering; observers point to an unusual celestial sign (comet/halo) while the priest performs repeated oblations, tallying counts on a board or with pebbles.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: homa-kuṇḍa with sesame offerings, priest casting tila into flames, villagers watching, stylized sky with ominous sign, strong reds and ochres, ritual implements clearly shown.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: central blazing homa with gold accents, bowls of black sesame, priest in ornate attire, celestial portent depicted above with gilded highlights, auspicious border motifs.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: didactic layout showing sesame bowl, ladle, counting method for lakṣa/ardha-lakṣa, sky panel with ‘divya’ and ‘vyomaja’ signs, fine lines and soft colors.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: courtyard ritual with detailed utensils, scribe recording counts, sky with comet-like streak, patrons in court dress, intricate architecture and textiles."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: syādutpāte → syāt utpāte; grahādināśaḥ → graha-ādi-nāśaḥ; vyomajotpātanāśanaṃ → vyoma-ja-utpāta-nāśanam.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 320 (utpāta classifications and śānti measures)
FAQs
It prescribes śānti-karma by homa: using tilahoma and a specific count (lakṣa, i.e., 100,000 oblations) to pacify graha-related afflictions and various utpātas, with reduced count (half) for sky-born portents.
It shows the text’s practical ritual-technology: integrating jyotiṣa concepts (graha/utpāta classification) with actionable śānti procedures (homa materials and quantified oblation-counts), alongside its many other domains.
The verse frames homa as a purificatory and protective act: disciplined offerings into fire are presented as a means to neutralize inauspicious karmic/astral influences and restore auspicious order (śānti).