Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 2
Chapter 57 — कुम्भाधिवासविधिः
Kumbhādhivāsa-vidhi: Rite of Installing/Consecrating the Ritual Jar
भूमिं घटे तु सम्पूज्य सरत्ने साङ्गकं हरिं अस्त्रमन्त्रेण करकं तत्र चाष्टशतं यजेत्
bhūmiṃ ghaṭe tu sampūjya saratne sāṅgakaṃ hariṃ astramantreṇa karakaṃ tatra cāṣṭaśataṃ yajet
Nachdem man den Boden und sodann den Ritualkrug (kalaśa) ordnungsgemäß verehrt hat, soll man Hari zusammen mit seinen aṅga (den vorgeschriebenen Gliederriten) in dem mit Edelsteinen geschmückten Gefäß/Arrangement verehren. Danach soll man mittels des Astra-Mantras dort die karaka (Wasser- bzw. Opfergefäß) verehren und achthundert (Oblationen/Opfergaben) darbringen.
Lord Agni (in instruction to the sage Vasiṣṭha, as per the typical Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vrata","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Sequential worship: bhūmi and kalaśa pūjā, aṅga-pūjā of Hari, then Astra-mantra worship of the karaka vessel with a specified count (800) of offerings/acts.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Kalaśa-pūjā with Hari-aṅga and Astra-mantra Karaka-arcana (Aṣṭaśata count)","lookup_keywords":["kalasha-puja","hari-anga-puja","astra-mantra","karaka","ashtashata"],"quick_summary":"After worshipping ground and pot, perform Hari’s aṅga-rites in the adorned setting; then consecrate the karaka using the Astra-mantra, completing the prescribed eight-hundred count of offerings/arcana acts."}
Concept: Saṅkhyā-niyama (fixed counts) and mantra-śakti: efficacy is tied to correct sequence, nyāsa/aṅga integration, and disciplined repetition.
Application: Design a pūjā checklist: (1) bhūmi (2) kalaśa (3) Hari with aṅgas (4) karaka with Astra-mantra (5) complete the specified count (800) as per lineage manual.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Kalpa/Ritual Procedure for Worship and Mantra-nyasa)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A gem-adorned altar with a kalaśa; the priest worships Hari with aṅga-rites, then touches/consecrates a karaka vessel while counting a large series of offerings under the Astra-mantra.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, Viṣṇu/Hari icon behind the altar, priest performing aṅga-nyāsa gestures, kalaśa draped and ornamented, karaka vessel foreground, rhythmic repetition implied by repeated offering bowls, bold outlines and sacred palette","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central Viṣṇu with Śaṅkha-Cakra, gold foil on vessels and jewelry, priest at side holding karaka, rows of small offering lamps indicating ‘800’, ornate frame and halo","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, didactic layout: labeled kalaśa, karaka, aṅga-nyāsa hand positions, neat composition, soft colors and fine detailing of ritual implements","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, interior shrine scene with meticulous vessels, priest counting offerings with rosary, subtle depiction of mantra as calligraphic band, rich textiles and architectural niches"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: अस्त्रमन्त्रेण = अस्त्र + मन्त्रेण; चाष्टशतं = च + अष्टशतम्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 57 (kumbhādhivāsa sequence; Astra-mantra appears again in 57.3)
FAQs
It teaches a sequence in worship: bhūmi-pūjā and ghaṭa (kalaśa) pūjā, then Hari’s worship with aṅga-rites, followed by consecrating/worshipping the karaka using the Astra-mantra, with a prescribed count of 800 offerings.
It preserves precise kalpa-style procedural details—ritual order, specific mantra-application (Astra-mantra), and numerical prescription (800)—illustrating the Agni Purāṇa’s compendium-like coverage of practical temple/household worship techniques.
By sanctifying the ritual locus (earth and vessels) and invoking protection through the Astra-mantra, the rite is framed as both purificatory and protective, aiming to make the worship faultless (doṣa-śamana) and merit-bearing (puṇya).