Agni Purana — Veda-vidhana & Vamsha, Shloka 17
Nīrājana-vidhiḥ
Procedure of Nīrājana / Auspicious Lamp-Waving and Royal Propitiation
तोरणत्रितयं तत्र गृहे देवान्यजेत् सदा चित्रान्त्यक्त्वा यदा स्वातिं सविता प्रतिपद्यते
toraṇatritayaṃ tatra gṛhe devānyajet sadā citrāntyaktvā yadā svātiṃ savitā pratipadyate
于彼处，当设立三重仪门（toraṇa）之后，应常于家中礼拜诸神；当太阳越过室女宿（Citrā）之末而进入娑婆底宿（Svātī）之时，即当如是行。
Lord Agni (in dialogue with Sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purana narration frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Jyotisha","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Choose the correct nakṣatra window for domestic worship: commence/maintain household deva-pūjā with toraṇa installation when the Sun transitions from Citrā to Svātī.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Svātī-kāla for gṛha-devapūjā with toraṇa-traya","lookup_keywords":["Svātī","Citrā","Sūrya saṅkrama","toraṇa","gṛha-pūjā"],"quick_summary":"The rite is keyed to solar nakṣatra timing: after the Sun leaves Citrā and enters Svātī, set up three ceremonial gateways and perform regular household worship."}
Concept: Kāla (astral time) governs efficacy of ritual; auspicious thresholds (toraṇa) sacralize entry and mark the rite’s commencement.
Application: Use pañcāṅga to identify Sūrya’s nakṣatra entry into Svātī; schedule installation of toraṇas and begin/renew household worship accordingly.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Vrata & Nakshatra-kala: timing of domestic worship)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A house entrance decorated with three toraṇas; a family prepares for worship while an almanac indicates the Sun’s shift from Citrā to Svātī.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural aesthetic, domestic shrine room, three floral toraṇas at doorway, palm-leaf pañcāṅga in priest’s hand, subtle celestial band showing Citrā to Svātī transition, warm lamp-lit interior","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, richly ornamented doorway with three toraṇas, gold accents on threshold, family at home altar, symbolic Sun disc moving into Svātī constellation motif, festive auspiciousness","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional layout: doorway with three toraṇas, side panel showing nakṣatra wheel highlighting Citrā and Svātī, calm domestic pūjā setup with clear details","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed courtyard house with decorated gateway, astrologer/priest consulting a manuscript, small sky vignette with Sun and nakṣatra markers, fine textiles and architecture"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: देवान्यजेत् = देवान् यजेत् (न् + य् → न्य्); चित्रान्त्यक्त्वा = चित्राम् त्यक्त्वा (म् + त् → न्त्)
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Vrata-kalpa and nakṣatra-kāla discussions in Puja-vidhi sequence (same chapter cluster)
FAQs
It prescribes a practical muhurta rule: perform household deity-worship with the setting/recognition of three toraṇas when the Sun transitions from Citrā nakṣatra into Svātī.
It blends ritual procedure (pūjā and ceremonial toraṇas) with Jyotiṣa-based timing (nakṣatra transition), showing how the text integrates worship, domestic space-ritual, and calendrical astronomy.
Observing prescribed auspicious timing and proper ritual markers (toraṇas) is presented as a way to align household worship with cosmic order, supporting purity, prosperity, and ritual efficacy.