Agni Purāṇa

28 - Mode of anointment for the preceptor

1-2. Ishall describe the anointment of the preceptor as the son would do and by which an aspirant would become accomplished and a diseased would get rid of the disease, the king (would get his) kingdom, a woman would get a child and also destruction of impurity. Pictures made of earth and endowed with gems are to be placed in the middle, the east etc.

3. Thousands or hundreds (of them are placed) in a circular form and Vishņu in the east and north-east at an elevated place in an altar.

4. Having placed all of them the aspirant (should assign) his son in parts. After having worshipped well the anointmentshould be performed preceded by songs etc.

5. Menshould offer yogic seats etc. requesting his favour. The preceptor alsoshould announce the terms and the pupil (initiated) into the secrets then becomes the recipient of all (that he wants).

Summary of chapter 28 of the Agni Purāṇa is as follows:

This chapter provides an overview and ritual description of the sixteen saṃskāra-s — the sacred rites of passage that mark and sanctify a human life from conception through death. Beginning with Garbhādhāna (the rite of conception), Puṃsavana (for a male child), Sīmantona (hair-parting ceremony during pregnancy), and Jātakarma (birth rites), the chapter proceeds through Nāmakaraṇa (naming), Niṣkramaṇa (first outing), Annaprāśana (first feeding of solid food), Cūḍākaraṇa (first tonsure), Upanayana (sacred thread initiation), Vedārambha (beginning of Vedic study), Samāvartana (graduation), and Vivāha (marriage). For each saṃskāra, the appropriate mantras, the materials required, and the timing according to nakṣatra and tithi are specified. The chapter presents the saṃskāra-s as the human being's progressive consecration into the cosmic order of dharma.