Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 8
Chapter 62 — Lakṣmīpratiṣṭhāvidhiḥ
The Procedure for Installing Lakṣmī
आर्द्रां पुष्करिणीं गन्धैर् आर्द्रामित्यादिपुष्पकैः तन्मयावह मन्त्रेण य आनन्द ऋचाखिलं
ārdrāṃ puṣkariṇīṃ gandhair ārdrāmityādipuṣpakaiḥ tanmayāvaha mantreṇa ya ānanda ṛcākhilaṃ
Er soll den Lotos-Teich rituell durch Wohlgerüche befeuchten und beduften und Blumen darbringen, die durch das Mantra, das mit „ārdrām…“ beginnt, geweiht sind. Mit dem Mantra „tanmayāvaha“ bewirkt er das Aufgehen und die Identität mit der Gottheit; und die gesamte vedische ṛk „Ānanda“ ist zu verwenden/zu rezitieren.
Lord Agni (teaching ritual procedure)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Pūjā-vidhi: gandha-puṣpa-saṃskāra, mantra-prayoga, and bhāva-sādhana to induce deity-identification (tanmayatā) during worship.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Ārdrām-mantra puṣpa-saṃskāra and Tanmayāvaha absorption in pūjā","lookup_keywords":["ārdrām mantra","tanmayāvaha","puṣpa-saṃskāra","gandha","ānanda ṛk"],"quick_summary":"Moisten and perfume the ritual lotus-pond/lotus-seat, consecrate flowers with the ‘ārdrām…’ mantra, then use the ‘tanmayāvaha’ mantra to effect identity with the deity; the Ānanda-ṛk is recited as the Vedic support."}
Concept: Tanmayatā (deity-identification) as an inner completion of outer offerings; mantra as the vehicle of bhāva and presence.
Application: During arcana, coordinate sensory offerings (gandha/puṣpa) with mantra to stabilize one-pointed absorption rather than mere external ritualism.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Tantric/Vedic worship and mantra-nyasa procedures)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A worshipper perfumes and moistens a lotus-pond/lotus-seat, sprinkles consecrated flowers while reciting ‘ārdrām…’, then sits in absorbed identity invoking the ‘tanmayāvaha’ mantra with a Vedic ṛk chanted in the background.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, priest in white dhoti performing pūjā beside a stylized lotus-pond and lotus-seat, fragrant smoke and flower shower, sacred syllables subtly inscribed, serene adbhuta mood, flat bold colors, traditional ornamentation","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central lotus-seat with ritual perfumes and flowers, priest offering blossoms, gold-leaf highlights on lotus petals and ritual vessels, ornate arch framing, devotional yet instructional composition","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, detailed step-by-step ritual scene: perfume vessel, flower basket labeled, priest reciting mantra, soft shading, clean linework, instructional clarity with traditional elegance","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, intimate pavilion scene with a small lotus tank, attendant holding perfume tray, priest scattering flowers, calligraphic mantra panel, fine detailing and pastel palette"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Hamsadhwani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: गन्धैर् → गन्धैः (visarga sandhi). आर्द्रामित्यादिपुष्पकैः segmented as आर्द्राम् + इति + आदि + पुष्पकैः. तन्मयावह treated as a tatpuruṣa compound epithet.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 62 (Pūjā-vidhi: nyāsa/arcana sequence)
FAQs
It teaches a consecration-style worship step: sanctifying a sacred tank (puṣkariṇī) using perfumes and mantra-empowered flowers, along with a specific absorption/identity-producing mantra (tanmayāvaha) and a complete Vedic ṛk recitation (“Ānanda” ṛk).
It preserves precise, procedural ritual technology—materials (gandha, puṣpa), mantra-incidents (“ārdrām…”) and specialized mantras (tanmayāvaha)—showing how the Agni Purana catalogs practical liturgy alongside its many other disciplines.
By mantra-consecrating offerings and inducing ‘tanmayatā’ (devotional absorption/identity with the deity), the rite is framed as purificatory and merit-producing, making the worshipper’s mind and the sacred space ritually fit for higher worship and blessing.