Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 29
Pratiṣṭhā-Kalaśa-Śodhana-Ukti (Instruction on Purifying the Consecration Pitcher) — Chapter 85
न स्थेयं बन्धकत्वेन शिवाज्ञां श्रावयेदिति ततो विसृज्य गोविन्दं विद्यात्मानं नियोज्य च
na stheyaṃ bandhakatvena śivājñāṃ śrāvayediti tato visṛjya govindaṃ vidyātmānaṃ niyojya ca
«لا ينبغي أن يبقى المرء في حال العبودية والقيْد؛ بل عليه أن يُسمِع أمرَ شِيفا ويُعلنه.» لذلك، بعد أن يصرف غوفيندا (Govinda)، عليه أن يعيّن من كانت ذاته هي المعرفة (vidyātmān)، أي المُجري العالِم للشعيرة.
Lord Agni (narrating to sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Ritual-ethical injunction: do not remain in a 'bonded' state; proclaim Śiva’s command; formally dismiss Govinda (concluding a Vaiṣṇava invocation segment) and appoint a vidyātmā (qualified learned officiant) to proceed correctly.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Injunction","entry_title":"Śivājñā-śrāvaṇa, Govinda-visarjana, and appointment of vidyātmā","lookup_keywords":["bandhakatva","Śivājñā","Govinda-visarjana","vidyātmā","ṛtvik qualification"],"quick_summary":"The verse directs the practitioner to avoid remaining in bondage, to announce Śiva’s injunction, to dismiss Govinda at the proper juncture, and to entrust the rite to a truly learned authority."}
Concept: Ritual correctness includes ethical posture (not abiding as 'bound') and proper authority/qualification (vidyātmā) to carry Śiva’s injunction forward; sectarian elements are harmonized through correct sequencing (visarjana).
Application: End deity-invocation segments properly (visarjana), avoid clinging/saṅga in ritual identity, and ensure a competent learned officiant supervises transitions and injunctions.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Mantra-vidhi (Śaiva–Vaiṣṇava ritual injunctions)
Primary Rasa: śānta
Secondary Rasa: vīra
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritual transition: Govinda is respectfully dismissed (udvāsana), Śiva’s command is proclaimed to the assembly, and a learned officiant is appointed to continue the rite without 'bondage'.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, two deity emblems (Govinda and Śiva) in balanced composition, priest performing udvāsana gesture, assembly listening to proclamation, calm authoritative mood","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, ornate depiction of ritual dismissal: Govinda icon being ceremonially veiled/closed, Śiva’s śāsana shown as a golden scroll, learned ācārya seated with palm-leaf manuscript, gold work","mysore_prompt":"Mysore, instructional scene: sequence panels—(1) Govinda visarjana, (2) Śivājñā proclamation, (3) appointment of vidyātmā; fine lines, readable gestures","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly ritual hall, officiant announcing injunction, another scholar appointed, a small Vishnu emblem being respectfully carried away, detailed textiles and architecture"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: श्रावयेदिति = श्रावयेत् + इति; शिवाज्ञां = शिव-आज्ञाम् (समास); विद्यात्मानं = विद्या-आत्मानम् (समास).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 85 (visarjana procedures); Agni Purana 85 (Śaiva–Vaiṣṇava integration in pūjā-vidhi)
FAQs
It gives a procedural injunction: do not remain in a “bound” (unauthorized/compelled) state; instead publicly announce Śiva’s directive and then formally engage a qualified learned person (vidyātmā) to carry out the next step.
Beyond theology, it preserves practical governance of ritual action—who may act, how instructions are promulgated, and how a competent specialist is appointed—showing the Purāṇa’s coverage of procedural dharma alongside devotion.
Obeying and publicizing Śiva’s injunction, and entrusting action to a qualified knower, is presented as dharmically correct conduct—reducing error in ritual performance and aligning action with divine ordinance rather than compulsion or confusion.
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