Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 3
जीर्णोद्धारः (Jīrṇoddhāra) — Renovation and Ritual Handling of Defective Liṅgas and Old Shrines
चालितञ्चलितं लिङ्गमत्यर्थं विषमस्थितं दिड्मूढं पातितं लिङ्गं मध्यस्थं पतितं तथा
cālitañcalitaṃ liṅgamatyarthaṃ viṣamasthitaṃ diḍmūḍhaṃ pātitaṃ liṅgaṃ madhyasthaṃ patitaṃ tathā
Ein Liṅga, der erschüttert oder wacklig ist; einer, der in höchstem Maße fehlplatziert ist; einer, der in unebener Lage steht; einer, dessen Ausrichtung in Bezug auf die Himmelsrichtungen verwirrt ist; ein gefallener Liṅga; und ebenso einer, der, obwohl in der Mitte aufgestellt, dennoch umgestürzt ist—all dies gilt als Mangel.
Lord Agni (instructional narration to the inquirer, traditionally Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Temple maintenance inspection: identifying placement/orientation instability of a liṅga (movement, uneven set, wrong directional alignment, toppled) as actionable defects requiring rectification rites.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Liṅga-sthāpana doṣas: instability, uneven seating, directional confusion, toppling","lookup_keywords":["cālita-liṅga","viṣama-sthiti","dik-mūḍha","pātita","sthāpana-doṣa"],"quick_summary":"Enumerates installation/placement defects—shaking, unsteady seating, uneven position, wrong directional orientation, and falling/toppling. These conditions mark the liṅga as doṣa-yukta and trigger corrective protocol."}
Concept: Sacred order (ṛta-like alignment) is mirrored in correct placement; disorder in orientation/steadiness is treated as ritual fault.
Application: Implement periodic structural checks (leveling, plinth integrity, drainage, vibration sources) as part of temple dharma.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Linga-pratishtha and ritual defect-diagnosis)
Primary Rasa: śānta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A sanctum scene showing different defective states: a liṅga wobbling, tilted on an uneven base, misaligned to directions, and one toppled—priests marking directions and artisans preparing to reset the seat.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, sequential panels of a liṅga tilted and toppled, priests with compass-like directional markers, sthapati with measuring cord, muted reds/ochres, temple-lamp glow","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central sanctum with directional deities faintly indicated, liṅga slightly tilted to show defect, gold-leaf on lamps and arch, priests performing corrective gestures","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, technical illustration: plumb line, level, cardinal arrows around the liṅga, showing viṣama-sthiti and dik-mūḍha cases, clean instructional composition","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, artisans using measuring tools in a temple interior, a toppled liṅga carefully being lifted, detailed textiles and stone textures, documentary realism"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":null,"pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: cālitañcalitam: cālitam + calitam (ṃ + c → ñc). liṅgamatyartham: liṅgam + ati-artham. viṣamasthitam: viṣama + sthitam.
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Vāstu-mandala/dik-nirṇaya materials (contextual); Agni Purana: Pratiṣṭhā-vidhi and doṣa-nivāraṇa sections (contextual)
FAQs
It enumerates installation/placement defects (doṣas) of a Śiva-liṅga—instability, uneven leveling, wrong directional orientation, and toppling—used for diagnosing errors in pratiṣṭhā (consecration).
Beyond mythic narration, it functions as a practical temple-manual: it classifies specific, observable ritual-architectural faults (linked to vāstu and pratiṣṭhā), showing the text’s coverage of applied religious technology.
By identifying defective installation states, the verse supports correct consecration and worship, helping avoid ritual impurity and ensuring the intended religious merit (puṇya) from liṅga-pūjā and temple practice.