Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 2
जीर्णोद्धारः (Jīrṇoddhāra) — Renovation and Ritual Handling of Defective Liṅgas and Old Shrines
संपुटं स्फुटितं व्यङ्गं लिङ्गमित्येवमादिकं इत्यादिदुष्टलिङ्गानां योज्या पिण्डी तथा वृषः
saṃpuṭaṃ sphuṭitaṃ vyaṅgaṃ liṅgamityevamādikaṃ ityādiduṣṭaliṅgānāṃ yojyā piṇḍī tathā vṛṣaḥ
Ein Liṅga, der ungehörig umschlossen/bedeckt ist (saṃpuṭa), der Risse hat (sphuṭita) oder entstellt/befleckt ist (vyaṅga) und andere derartige—wenn der Liṅga in solcher Weise mangelhaft ist, soll man rituell die Sockelbasis (piṇḍī) anbringen und ebenso den Stier (vṛṣa) als ausgleichende Beigaben.
Lord Agni (teaching the sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s instructional dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Shilpa","secondary_vidya":"Vastu","practical_application":"Ritual-technical remediation: identifying defective liṅga forms and prescribing adjunct installations (piṇḍī base and vṛṣa/Nandin) to stabilize/complete the sacred ensemble.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Liṅga-doṣa types: saṃpuṭa, sphuṭita, vyaṅga—remedial adjuncts","lookup_keywords":["saṃpuṭa-liṅga","sphuṭita","vyaṅga","piṇḍī","vṛṣa (Nandin)"],"quick_summary":"Defines common liṅga defects (covered/enclosed, cracked, deformed). For such doṣas, the rite prescribes adding/arranging the pedestal-base and the bull emblem as corrective accompaniments."}
Concept: Ritual completeness and correct sacred form (ākṛti) support auspiciousness; defects are addressed through prescribed structural/ritual complements.
Application: Use śāstra-based checklists for icon condition and required adjuncts before consecration or continued worship.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Linga-pratishtha (Shaiva iconography and ritual diagnostics)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: śānta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A workshop/sanctum where a cracked or blemished liṅga is assessed; artisans prepare a piṇḍī pedestal and a Nandin bull figure to be installed as remedial adjuncts.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, artisans and priests around a stone liṅga with visible crack lines, a carved pedestal nearby, Nandin sketched in red ochre outlines, lamp-lit sanctum ambience, traditional flat perspective","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, Śiva-liṅga on ornate piṇḍī with Nandin in front, gold-leaf on ornaments and lamps, bright jewel tones, emphasis on auspicious completion despite prior defects","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, diagrammatic clarity: three defective liṅgas labeled saṃpuṭa/sphuṭita/vyaṅga, next panel shows corrected setup with piṇḍī and vṛṣa, fine linework, instructional layout","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly artisans in a temple atelier, detailed stone carving tools, liṅga with subtle blemish, Nandin sculpture being finished, delicate borders and naturalistic shading"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":null,"pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: liṅgamityevamādikam: liṅgam + iti + evam + ādikam. ityādiduṣṭaliṅgānām: iti-ādi + duṣṭa-liṅgānām (compound + sandhi).
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Liṅga-pratiṣṭhā and parivāra-devatā installation passages (contextual); Agni Purana: Jīrṇoddhāra chapter continuation (defect handling)
FAQs
It teaches liṅga-doṣa diagnosis (recognizing defective liṅgas such as cracked or deformed) and a practical remedial measure—adding/establishing the proper base (piṇḍī/pīṭha) and the bull emblem (vṛṣa/Nandin) as corrective ritual adjuncts.
By codifying temple-installation and iconographic repair logic (how to handle flawed sacred icons), it shows the Agni Purana functioning as a procedural manual alongside its many other domains—ritual, architecture, iconometry, and religious law.
It frames correct installation and rectification of worship-objects as necessary for ritually sound worship—minimizing doṣa in practice and helping ensure the intended purity and efficacy (śuddhi and phala) of Śiva-upāsanā.