Agni Purana — Veda-vidhana & Vamsha, Shloka 11
Chapter 264 — Dikpālādi-snāna
Bathing rites for the Dikpālas and associated deities
एकैकस्य त्वष्टशतं समिधस्तु तिलान् धृतं भद्रः सुभद्रः सिद्धार्थः कलसाः पुष्टिवर्धनाः
ekaikasya tvaṣṭaśataṃ samidhastu tilān dhṛtaṃ bhadraḥ subhadraḥ siddhārthaḥ kalasāḥ puṣṭivardhanāḥ
每一项供献/仪轨，供火柴薪（samidh）应为八百；并供芝麻与酥油（ghee）。诸仪瓶（kalaśa）当安置/命名为“吉祥”（Bhadra）、“大吉祥”（Subhadra）与“成就”（Siddhārtha），以增长滋养与福富。
Lord Agni (instructing sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purana dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Homa specification: fixed count of samidh per offering-unit, with tila and ghṛta as oblations; arrange/identify kalaśas named Bhadra, Subhadra, Siddhārtha for puṣṭi and prosperity-oriented rite.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Homa materials: 800 samidh, tila-ghṛta āhuti, and Bhadra–Subhadra–Siddhārtha kalaśas","lookup_keywords":["samidh-saṅkhyā","aṣṭaśata","tila","ghṛta","kalaśa-nāma"],"quick_summary":"For each rite, use an 800-stick kindling measure, offer sesame and ghee, and employ ritual pots named Bhadra, Subhadra, and Siddhārtha to support nourishment and prosperity intentions."}
Concept: Ritual efficacy is tied to precise measures (saṅkhyā) and correctly designated implements (kalaśa-vyavasthā).
Application: Maintain consistent counts and standardized materials in homa; name/assign kalaśas to functions to avoid procedural ambiguity.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Homa/Ishti ritual prescriptions within Agni-vidya)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A priest counts bundles of samidh sticks, offers sesame and ghee into the fire, and sets three labeled kalaśas—Bhadra, Subhadra, Siddhārtha—near the altar as prosperity vessels.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural; homa-kuṇḍa with stylized flames; heaps of samidh; priest pouring ghṛta; three kalaśas with distinct markings and name-bands; auspicious motifs for puṣṭi.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style; gold-accented fire altar; three ornate kalaśas in foreground with inscriptions; sesame bowl and ghee ladle; rich auspicious ornamentation.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style instructional still-life; clearly rendered samidh bundles with count notation, tila bowl, ghṛta pātra, and three labeled kalaśas arranged symmetrically beside the kuṇḍa.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature; meticulous depiction of ritual implements—bundled sticks, sesame, ghee ladle, three decorated pots with calligraphed labels—priest mid-āhuti."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: त्वष्टशतम् = तु + अष्टशतम् (उकार-सन्धि); समिधस्तु = समिधः + तु
Related Themes: Agni Purāṇa: homa-dravya lists and saṅkhyā-niyama passages; Agni Purāṇa: kalaśa-sthāpana and puṣṭi-karmāṇi sections
FAQs
It specifies homa procedure details: the prescribed quantity of samidh (800 for each rite) and the standard oblations (sesame and ghee), along with auspiciously designated kalaśas used in the ritual setup.
It preserves granular ritual-technology—exact counts, materials, and named vessels—showing the Agni Purana functioning as a practical manual of worship (puja-vidhi) alongside its broader teachings on dharma, polity, medicine, and arts.
Correct materials, measures, and auspicious vessel-forms are presented as merit-producing (puṇya) and prosperity-enhancing, supporting purification and the intended success (siddhi) of the rite.