Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 15
Chapter 326 — देवालयमाहात्म्यम्
The Glory of Temples
त्रिसन्ध्यं योर्चयेल्लिङ्गं कृत्वा विल्वेन पार्थिवम् शतैकादशिकं यावत् कुलमुद्धृत्य नाकभाक्
trisandhyaṃ yorcayelliṅgaṃ kṛtvā vilvena pārthivam śataikādaśikaṃ yāvat kulamuddhṛtya nākabhāk
Wer den Liṅga zu den drei Sandhyā-Zeiten (Morgenröte, Mittag und Abenddämmerung) verehrt, nachdem er zuvor einen irdenen Liṅga geformt und Bilva-Blätter dargebracht hat, erhebt (erlöst) sein Geschlecht bis zu einhundertelf Generationen und wird Teilhaber des Himmels.
Lord Agni (teaching the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vrata","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Performing tri-sandhyā liṅga-arcana using a simple earthen liṅga and bilva leaves; adopting a daily schedule of worship tied to sandhyā times.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Tri-Sandhyā Pārthiva-Liṅga Pūjā with Bilva","lookup_keywords":["tri-sandhyā","pārthiva-liṅga","bilva-patra","liṅga-arcana","kuloddhāra"],"quick_summary":"Worship at dawn, noon, and dusk with an earthen liṅga and bilva offering is praised as highly efficacious, extending merit to ancestors/descendants and granting heavenly attainment."}
Alamkara Type: Saṅkhyā (numerical specification)
Concept: Nitya-upāsanā (regular worship) sanctifies time (sandhyā) and self; simple materials with sincerity yield expansive spiritual benefit.
Application: Adopt sandhyā-based routine: create a clean spot, fashion a small clay liṅga, offer bilva and water, conclude respectfully; keep consistency over grandeur.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Lingarcana and Shiva worship rites)
Primary Rasa: Adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: Śānta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"At three times of day, a devotee fashions a small clay liṅga, places it on a simple base, and offers bilva leaves and water—shown as a disciplined daily cycle with sunrise, midday sun, and twilight backdrop.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural triptych: dawn, noon, dusk panels; devotee kneeling before a small earthen liṅga, offering bilva; glowing lamps at dusk; stylized sun positions; calm sacred rhythm.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central liṅga with bilva garland and gold-leaf aura; three small medallions showing sunrise/noon/twilight worship; ornate borders, rich devotional opulence despite simple earthen icon.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, step-by-step instructional scene: clay being shaped into liṅga, placement on leaf/plate, bilva offering; clean composition, soft colors, emphasis on method and timing icons (sun positions).","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, realistic household courtyard: devotee at a low altar with clay liṅga and bilva; background shows changing sky tones for three sandhyās; fine detail of leaves and vessels."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: योर्चयेल्लिङ्गं = यः + अर्चयेत् + लिङ्गम् (ः + अ → ओ; त् + ल → ल्ल); कुलमुद्धृत्य = कुलम् + उद्धृत्य; नाकभाक् = नाक-भाक्
Related Themes: Agni Purana Puja-vidhi on sandhyā and nitya-karma; Agni Purana instructions on bilva and Śiva offerings
FAQs
It prescribes trisandhyā liṅga-arcana: worship of an earthen (pārthiva) Śiva-liṅga three times daily, specifically using bilva leaves as the principal offering.
It exemplifies the Agni Purana’s practical ritual manuals (pūjā-vidhi), giving concrete, repeatable household/temple procedures—materials (clay liṅga, bilva) and schedule (three sandhyās)—alongside stated religious outcomes.
The act is said to generate exceptional merit: it elevates one’s lineage up to 111 generations and grants heavenly attainment (svarga/nāka).