Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 15
Chapter 38 — देवालयनिर्माणफलं
The Merit of Constructing a Temple
कर्तुरायतनं विष्णोर्यथोक्तात्त्रिगुणं फलं बन्धूकपुष्पविन्यासैः सुधापङ्केन वैष्णवं
karturāyatanaṃ viṣṇoryathoktāttriguṇaṃ phalaṃ bandhūkapuṣpavinyāsaiḥ sudhāpaṅkena vaiṣṇavaṃ
Für den Erbauer oder Stifter bringt das Heiligtum Viṣṇus, wie vorgeschrieben errichtet, dreifachen Lohn; und das vaiṣṇavische Heiligtum (Tempel oder Bildaufstellung) soll durch das Anordnen von bandhūka-Blüten und durch das Auftragen eines Kalkputzes (sudhā) geschmückt werden.
Lord Agni (in Agni Purana’s standard instruction-to-sage frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Shilpa","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Guidance for Vaiṣṇava shrine/image-setting: build the Vishnu sanctuary per prescription for multiplied merit; decorate with bandhūka flowers and apply lime-plaster coating as part of consecratory beautification and maintenance.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Vaiṣṇava āyatana: prescribed construction, bandhūka-puṣpa-vinyāsa, and sudhā-lepa","lookup_keywords":["Vishnu-ayatana","bandhuka-pushpa","pushpa-vinyasa","sudha-lepa","triguna-phala"],"quick_summary":"A properly prescribed Vishnu sanctuary yields threefold fruit to the sponsor; ritual-aesthetic finishing includes arranging bandhūka flowers and applying a lime-plaster (sudhā) coating to sanctify and beautify the shrine."}
Concept: Outer order (proper construction and adornment) supports inner devotion; disciplined compliance with injunctions magnifies spiritual fruit.
Application: When renovating or founding a shrine, follow śilpa/āgamic prescriptions; maintain cleanliness, apply protective plaster, and use appropriate floral offerings.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Vaishnava Temple & Image Consecration (Vishnu-archana, lepa, pushpa-vinyasa)
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Artisans applying white lime-plaster to a Vishnu shrine while devotees arrange bright red bandhūka flowers in patterns around the sanctum entrance; the sponsor observes with folded hands.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: vivid red bandhūka garlands against a white-plastered shrine wall, priests with lamps, artisans with plaster bowls; stylized lotus borders and sacred symmetry.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: Vishnu in sanctum with gold arch; foreground devotees placing bandhūka flowers; shimmering gold highlights on garlands and temple ornaments; white sudhā surfaces gleaming.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: instructional scene focusing on process—mixing sudhā paste, applying lepa evenly, then pushpa-vinyāsa; delicate shading and precise tools.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: detailed workshop-like temple courtyard, plaster application with fine brushes/trowels, floral arrangement in geometric motifs; refined textiles and vessels."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: कर्तुरायतनं = कर्तुः + आयतनम् (visarga before vowel → r); विष्णोर्यथोक्तात् = विष्णोः + यथोक्तात् (visarga before y → r); यथोक्तात्त्रिगुणं = यथोक्तात् + त्रिगुणम् (त् + त् → त्त).
Related Themes: Agni Purana śilpa/mandira-nirmāṇa material; Agni Purana puṣpa, gandha, lepa, and arcana-related puja-vidhi
FAQs
It specifies temple/image finishing in Vaiṣṇava worship: orderly placement of bandhūka flowers (puṣpa-vinyāsa) and application of lime-plaster paste (sudhā-paṅka) as part of preparing or beautifying Viṣṇu’s sanctuary.
Alongside theology, it preserves practical temple-craft details—materials (lime plaster), decorative protocol (flower layout), and stated ritual outcomes (phala)—showing the Purana’s coverage of architecture/ritual technology (Vāstu + Pūjā-vidhi).
Building Viṣṇu’s sanctuary according to prescription is said to yield a “threefold” religious fruit for the patron/creator, framing correct ritual construction and adornment as a high-merit devotional act.