Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 8
Raṇadīkṣā (War-Consecration) — Agni Purāṇa Adhyāya 235
रात्रौ भूतगणानाञ्च वासुदेवादिपूजनं भद्रकाल्याः श्रियः कुर्यात् प्रार्थयेत् सर्वदेवताः
rātrau bhūtagaṇānāñca vāsudevādipūjanaṃ bhadrakālyāḥ śriyaḥ kuryāt prārthayet sarvadevatāḥ
夜间亦当祭礼诸“部多”众（灵类之群），以婆苏提婆为首而供养；当修行为跋陀罗迦梨之“室利”（吉祥、兴盛）之仪，并祈祷一切诸神。
Lord Agni (in discourse to the sage Vasiṣṭha, as typical for the Agni Purāṇa’s instructional chapters)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Night-time propitiation: worship of bhūta-gaṇas and Vāsudeva-adis, performance of Bhadrakālī śrī-rite for protection and prosperity, followed by sarva-devatā-prārthanā.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Rātri-kalpa: Bhūta-gaṇa pūjā and Bhadrakālī-śrī rite","lookup_keywords":["rātri-kalpa","bhūta-gaṇa-pūjā","vāsudeva-pūjā","bhadrakālī-śrī","sarva-devatā-prārthanā"],"quick_summary":"At night, rites expand to include appeasement of spirit-hosts and comprehensive deity-prayer; Bhadrakālī is invoked specifically for śrī (prosperity) and protective stabilization of the nocturnal sphere."}
Concept: Nocturnal ritual recognizes heightened liminality: integrate sattvic devotion (Vāsudeva) with appeasement of peripheral forces (bhūtas) and invoke śakti (Bhadrakālī) for śrī and rakṣā.
Application: For night rites, maintain purity and controlled offerings; include protective prayers and conclude with all-deity salutations to seal the rite and reduce fear/obstruction.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Ratri-kalpa, Devata-archana and Bali-vidhi)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Night worship scene: lamps flicker as a priest offers bali to spirit-hosts at the periphery, while central worship is to Vāsudeva; Bhadrakālī is invoked for prosperity, with devotees praying to all deities.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural night palette: deep indigo background, oil lamps, Bhadrakālī with fierce yet auspicious face, Vāsudeva serene at center, bhūta-gaṇas stylized at borders receiving bali, strong outlines and sacred geometry framing.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: Bhadrakālī and Vāsudeva with heavy gold ornament, lamp flames rendered in gold, devotees offering flowers and coins for śrī, peripheral bhūtas small and subdued, ornate arch and embossed detailing.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: balanced instructional composition—central altar with Vāsudeva, side panel for Bhadrakālī-śrī rite items (lamp, kumkuma, flowers), outer ring for bali placements, soft shading and fine facial detail.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: nocturnal courtyard with lanterns, priest and patrons, a small shrine niche for Vāsudeva, a painted icon of Bhadrakālī, subtle supernatural figures in shadows, intricate textile patterns."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Kedar","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: भूतगणानाञ्च = भूतगणानाम् + च; वासुदेवादिपूजनम् = वासुदेव + आदि + पूजनम्; श्रियः (पाठे) → श्रियम् (कर्मपदत्वेन अपेक्षितम्); सर्वदेवताः (पाठे) कर्मत्वे द्वितीया बहुवचनरूपम् सर्वदेवताः (स्त्री) प्रथमा/द्वितीया बहुवचन समानरूपम्
Related Themes: Agni Purana śakti-pūjā / devī-kalpa materials (elsewhere); Agni Purana bali and bhūta-śānti contexts (elsewhere)
FAQs
It prescribes a night-time ritual sequence: propitiation of bhūta-gaṇas (spirit-hosts) along with worship starting from Vāsudeva, followed by a Bhadrakālī rite aimed at securing śrī (prosperity), concluding with prayers to all deities.
It exemplifies the Agni Purāṇa’s manual-like coverage of practical worship protocols—integrating Vaiṣṇava devotion (Vāsudeva), Śākta practice (Bhadrakālī), and protective appeasement rites (bhūta-gaṇa)—showing how multiple ritual streams are organized into actionable instructions.
The verse frames night worship as both protective and auspicious: pacifying disruptive forces (bhūta-gaṇas), invoking divine order through Vāsudeva, and seeking Bhadrakālī’s śrī—collectively aimed at removing obstacles and stabilizing wellbeing and fortune through devotional prayer.