Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 14
Chapter 64 — कूपादिप्रतिष्ठाकथनं
The Account of the Consecration of Wells and Other Water-Works
आपो अस्मेति वर्षोप्त्यैर् व्याहृत्या कूपसम्भवैः वरुणञ्च तडागोप्त्यैर् वरुणाद्भिस्तु वश्यतः
āpo asmeti varṣoptyair vyāhṛtyā kūpasambhavaiḥ varuṇañca taḍāgoptyair varuṇādbhistu vaśyataḥ
Durch das Mantra «Āpo asm-», zusammen mit regenherbeirufenden Formeln und der Rezitation der vyāhṛtis, unter Verwendung von aus einem Brunnen geschöpftem Wasser; und durch Wasser aus einem Teich zusammen mit teichschützenden (Formeln) bringt man Varuṇa selbst unter Kontrolle—ja, durch Varuṇas eigene Wasser (d. h. für Varuṇa geweihtes Wasser).
Lord Agni (in dialogue, instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha in typical Agni Purana narration)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Varuṇa-upāsanā for rain, water-supply protection (wells/ponds), and ritual control through consecrated waters and Vedic utterances.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Varuṇa-vaśīkaraṇa by Āpo-mantra and well/pond waters","lookup_keywords":["Āpo asme","vyāhṛti","kūpa-jala","taḍāga-jala","Varuṇa-vaśya"],"quick_summary":"Use the mantra “Āpo asme…”, rain-invoking formulas, and vyāhṛtis with well-water; combine pond-water with pond-protecting formulas. Consecrated ‘Varuṇa-waters’ are treated as the operative medium to secure Varuṇa’s compliance."}
Concept: Mantra gains efficacy through proper medium (jala), source-specific sanctity (kūpa/taḍāga), and Vedic framing (vyāhṛti).
Application: Ritual protocol for invoking rain/protecting waterworks; reinforces disciplined use of mantra with correctly sourced water.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Mantra-prayoga (Water, rain, wells, ponds; Varuṇa-related rites)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: River
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A Varuṇa-rite beside a well and a pond: priests draw water in vessels, recite Āpo-mantras and vyāhṛtis, and consecrate the water as ‘Varuṇa’s own’ for rain and protection.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, Varuṇa seated on makara with pāśa, priests at a kūpa and taḍāga holding kalaśas, palm-leaf manuscript mantras, deep earthy reds/ochres, stylized water motifs, sacred aura around consecrated water.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central Varuṇa with gold halo and embossed ornaments, foreground well and pond with shining kalaśas, priests chanting vyāhṛtis, rich blues for water, gold work highlighting ‘Varuṇa-jala’ vessels.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional composition: labeled well-water and pond-water vessels, priest reciting ‘Āpo asme’ and vyāhṛtis, clean lines, soft colors, emphasis on ritual steps and implements.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed landscape with a stone well and lotus pond, attendants drawing water, a learned priest chanting, Varuṇa icon on a small altar, fine textile detail, delicate ripples and rain-cloud suggestion."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Megh Malhar","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: asmeti = asme + iti; varṣoptyaiḥ = varṣa + uptyaiḥ; taḍāgoptyaiḥ = taḍāga + uptyaiḥ; varuṇañca = varuṇam + ca; varuṇādbhis = varuṇāt + bhiḥ (with sandhi).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 64 (Varuṇa-pūjā/pujā-vidhi sequence: snāna, arghya, upacāra, adhi-vāsa)
FAQs
It teaches mantra-prayoga using specific sources of water (well-water and pond-water), combined with the vyāhṛtis and rain/pond-protection formulas, to propitiate and ritually ‘bring under influence’ Varuṇa—the deity governing waters and rainfall.
Beyond theology, it preserves practical ritual procedures tied to environmental needs—rain-invocation, water-source sanctification, and protection of communal water bodies—showing the Agni Purana’s coverage of applied rites alongside doctrine.
By ritually aligning with Varuṇa (guardian of ṛta/order and waters), the practitioner seeks purification and restoration of balance—removing water-related afflictions (scarcity, disorder) through sanctioned mantra and consecrated water.