Agni Purana — Veda-vidhana & Vamsha, Shloka 19
Nīrājana-vidhiḥ
Procedure of Nīrājana / Auspicious Lamp-Waving and Royal Propitiation
विनायकः कुमारश् च वरुणो धनदो यमः विश्वेदेवा वैश्रवसो गजाश्चाष्टौ च तान्यजेत्
vināyakaḥ kumāraś ca varuṇo dhanado yamaḥ viśvedevā vaiśravaso gajāścāṣṭau ca tānyajet
应礼拜毗那夜迦（Vināyaka，伽内沙）、鸠摩罗（Kumāra，斯甘达）、伐楼那（Varuṇa）、财主（Dhanada，即俱毗罗 Kubera）、阎摩（Yama）、一切天众（Viśvedevā）、毗舍罗婆那（Vaiśravaṇa，即俱毗罗），以及八大象王；皆当供奉。
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s instructional dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Protective/auspicious worship by invoking specific deities and groups (Vināyaka, Kumāra, Varuṇa, Kubera/Dhanada, Yama, Viśvedevās, Vaiśravaṇa, and the eight Diggajas) as guardians for rites, thresholds, and directions.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Rakṣā-devatā list: Vināyaka to Aṣṭa-diggaja","lookup_keywords":["Vināyaka","Kumāra","Varuṇa","Kubera","Aṣṭa-diggaja"],"quick_summary":"A prescribed roster of protective deities is to be worshipped, combining household/ritual guardians and directional stabilizers (eight elephants) for comprehensive rakṣā."}
Concept: Ritual completeness through cosmic administration: obstacles (Vināyaka), martial protection (Skanda), waters (Varuṇa), wealth/guardianship (Kubera), restraint/death-order (Yama), universal gods (Viśvedevāḥ), and spatial stability (diggajāḥ).
Application: Use this list for rakṣā-pūjā before major rites (vrata, homa, praveśa), offering flowers/incense and mentally assigning guardianship to directions.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Mantra-shastra (Protective rites and deity-invocation rules)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A protective worship mandala: Gaṇeśa and Skanda at the front, Varuṇa and Yama to sides, Kubera/Vaiśravaṇa with treasure, Viśvedevās above, and eight great elephants stationed at the directions.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, circular guardian mandala around a central altar, stylized diggajas at eight compass points, Gaṇeśa and Skanda prominent, Varuṇa with water pot, Kubera with treasure, Yama with staff, rich flat colors and temple-wall composition","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, central worship scene with gold halos, eight directional elephant motifs around border, Gaṇeśa and Skanda flanking the altar, Kubera richly jeweled, embossed gold work emphasizing protective circle","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear directional diagram with eight elephants labeled, deities arranged for rakṣā-pūjā, neat linework and soft shading suitable for instructional depiction","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly detailed figures of deities in cloud frames, eight elephants at margins indicating directions, priest offering flowers at a small altar, intricate patterns and balanced composition"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Hamsadhwani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: कुमारश् = कुमारः; गजाश्चाष्टौ = गजाः च अष्टौ (आः + च → आश्च); तान्यजेत् = तान् यजेत् (न् + य् → न्य्)
Related Themes: Agni Purana: dikpāla/dik-devatā and rakṣā-vidhi lists in puja-vidhi chapters; gṛha-devatā worship sections near 267.20
FAQs
It gives a precise ritual roster of deities (individual gods, a deity-class, and cosmological guardians) that are to be invoked/worshipped as part of a prescribed pūjā or sacrificial sequence.
By cataloging deities and cosmological beings used in practice-oriented rites, it functions like a ritual handbook—integrating theology (deva identities), liturgy (who to worship), and cosmology (directional elephants) in a compact instructional format.
Following the correct deity-invocation order is presented as aligning the rite with cosmic guardianship and dharma, supporting auspiciousness (śubha), protection, and the intended fruit of the ritual (wealth, order, and removal of obstacles).