Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 38
Chapter 59 — अधिवासनकथनं
Adhivāsana: The Rite of Inviting and Stabilizing Hari’s Presence
तस्यैव मूलमन्त्रेण सजीवकरणं भवेत् यस्या मूर्तेस्तु यन्नाम तस्याद्यं चाक्षरं च यत्
tasyaiva mūlamantreṇa sajīvakaraṇaṃ bhavet yasyā mūrtestu yannāma tasyādyaṃ cākṣaraṃ ca yat
Durch eben dieses Mūlamantra (Wurzelmantra) soll der Ritus des Sajīvakaraṇa, das „Belebend-Machen“, vollzogen werden. Und für die mūrti der Gottheit, die installiert wird, nehme man den Namen dieser Gestalt sowie dessen erste Silbe (Anfangsbuchstaben).
Lord Agni (in instruction to the sage Vasiṣṭha, in the standard Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Pratiṣṭhā ‘sajīvakaraṇa’: enlivening the installed image using the deity’s mūlamantra; selecting the deity-name and its initial syllable for mantra-formation/nyāsa cues.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Sajīvakaraṇa of mūrti by mūlamantra; use deity-name and initial syllable","lookup_keywords":["sajivikarana","mulamantra","murti-pratishtha","devata-nama","adyakshara"],"quick_summary":"Enliven the icon through the root-mantra of that deity; operationally, identify the installed form’s name and its first syllable as the seed for related placements/mantra-derivations."}
Concept: Mantra as the vehicle of prāṇa/śakti-āveśa: the icon becomes a functional locus of worship through sanctioned invocation.
Application: In installation, ensure the correct mūlamantra for the exact form (nāma) is used; derive auxiliary syllabic cues (ādya-akṣara) consistently for nyāsa/anga-mantras where prescribed.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Pratishtha & Mantra-vidhi / Murti-nyasa and consecration procedures)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A consecration scene: the priest chants the mūlamantra before the deity-image, performing sajīvakaraṇa as light enters the icon; a written syllable (first letter) is highlighted on a manuscript.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, dramatic lamp-lit sanctum, priest with kuśa and water vessel, deity icon on pedestal, luminous mantra-syllables flowing into the mūrti, palm-leaf manuscript showing the deity-name with the first akṣara emphasized","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting with gold radiance emanating from the mūrti, priest in white dhoti performing āvāhana, the mūlamantra shown as golden script around the halo, ornate arch and lamps","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clear ritual depiction: priest pointing to the deity-name on a manuscript, then chanting toward the icon, subtle glow indicating sajīvakaraṇa, precise linework and calm palette","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, indoor shrine with patterned carpets, priest and assistants, manuscript open with highlighted initial syllable, delicate depiction of incense smoke and subtle aura around the icon"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Shree","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तस्यैव → तस्य + एव; मूर्तेस्तु → मूर्तेः + तु; यन्नाम → यत् + नाम; तस्याद्यम् → तस्य + आद्यम्; चाक्षरम् → च + अक्षरम्।
Related Themes: Agni Purana 59 (pratiṣṭhā, mantra-vidhi, nyāsa sequence)
FAQs
It prescribes that the image-enlivening rite (sajīvakaraṇa) is to be done specifically with the deity’s own mūlamantra, and it notes the practical identification of the form by its name and initial syllable for mantra-application/nyāsa.
Beyond mythology, it records operational temple-ritual technology—how mantras are matched to a particular mūrti during installation—showing the Purāṇa’s coverage of applied liturgy and consecration science alongside other disciplines.
Using the correct deity-specific root-mantra is presented as essential for valid consecration, ensuring the worship is properly directed and ritually efficacious, thereby supporting merit (puṇya) and sanctity of the installed image.