In Hinduism

Pancaratra (worship of Nārāyaṇa)

Source: archive.org: Catalogue of Pancaratra Agama Texts

1) Agnikāryavidhi (अग्निकार्यविधि) or “rules for kindling the sacrificial fire” is the name of the fourteenth chapter of the Agastyasaṃhitā (agastya-suīkṣṇa-saṃvāda edition), an ancient Pāñcarātra Āgama text dealing with the worship of Rāma, Sītā, Lakṣmaṇa and Hanumān.

Description of the chapter [agnikāryavidhi]: Agastya turns now to the matter of the sacred fire, wherein the presence of Rāma is to be invoked and worshipped according to the rules ( which follow?). In this, as in any other step in worship, he warns, only righteous means are to be used and only objects acquired by one's own efforts are to be used. Thereupon he launches into a detailed description of how to make a kuṇḍa-firepit. Dimensions are given. When it has been duly constructed it is decorated.

In a place north and west of the kuṇḍa—fire-pit an eight-petalled lotus-design maṇḍala is drawn and colored, and in it Rama is invoked and His whole retinue is worshipped there also. At this point the fire is to be kindled in the kuṇḍa fire-pit and, after securing some vessels in one of which Viṣṇu is invoked and worshipped, homa is done in the fire to Rāma. Offerings are also made to His entire retinue. When this has been done, the essentials of the agnikārya-ceremonies are over.

Thereupon Brahmins are fed and celebration is made. The worshipper then, turning to the fire, transfers to his own soul the presence of Rama from the flames. He asks the blessing of Vedic scholars, and then himself consumes ( acting as Rama ? ) the left-overs of the food which had previously been offered to God. The ceremonies are then concluded by offering bait to ( the iconic form of?) Rāma.

This is how agnikārya-ceremonies are to be done-which, incidentally, is always preceded by aṅkurārpaṇa rites—whenever occasions demand.

2) Agnikāryavidhi (अग्निकार्यविधि) refers to the “rules for kindling the fire”, as discussed in the fifth chapter of the Īśvarasaṃhitā (printed edition), a Pāñcarātra work in 8200 verses and 24 chapters dealing with topics such as routines of temple worship, major and minor festivals, temple-building and initiation.—Description of the chapter [bhojyāsanāgnikāryavidhi]: [...] The remainder of the chapter (47-285) turns back to the particulars of agnikārya (a part of the pūjā-liturgy that normally precedes the food-offerings since the fire used for cooking them is what is kindled during agnikārya), and describes materials, procedures and the rationale.

context information

Pancaratra (पाञ्चरात्र, pāñcarātra) represents a tradition of Hinduism where Narayana is revered and worshipped. Closeley related to Vaishnavism, the Pancaratra literature includes various Agamas and tantras incorporating many Vaishnava philosophies.

See also (Relevant definitions)

Partial matches: Vidhi, Agnikarya.

Ends with: Bhojyasanagnikaryavidhi.

Full-text: Agnikarya.

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