Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 20
Chapter 78 — पवित्रारोहणकथनं
Pavitrārohaṇa: Installing the Sanctifying Thread/Garland
द्वाराण्यस्त्रेण सम्प्रोक्ष्य पूर्वादिक्रमतो ऽर्चयेत् हां शान्तिकलाद्वाराय तथा विद्याकलात्मने
dvārāṇyastreṇa samprokṣya pūrvādikramato 'rcayet hāṃ śāntikalādvārāya tathā vidyākalātmane
Nachdem man die Türöffnungen gründlich mit der schützenden Waffen-Mantra (astra) besprengt hat, soll man sie der Reihe nach verehren, beginnend mit der östlichen Tür: indem man „hāṃ“ spricht für die von Śānti-kalā (der Kalā der Befriedung) beherrschte Tür, und ebenso für jene, deren Wesen Vidyā-kalā (die Kalā des heiligen Wissens) ist.
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purāṇa narration frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Ritual protection and sanctification of thresholds: astra-prokṣaṇa of doors and sequential dvāra-pūjā invoking specific kalā-deities (Śānti-kalā, Vidyā-kalā).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Dvāra-prokṣaṇa with astra and worship of Śānti-kalā/Vidyā-kalā door-presences","lookup_keywords":["dvāra-pūjā","astra-prokṣaṇa","hāṃ","śānti-kalā","vidyā-kalā"],"quick_summary":"Sprinkle doorways with the protective astra-mantra, then worship each doorway in directional order from the east, invoking kalā-presences such as Śānti-kalā and Vidyā-kalā for pacification and empowered knowledge."}
Weapon Type: Astra (protective weapon-mantra, ritualized)
Concept: Liminal purification and apotropaic protection: ordering space through mantra and directional worship to remove obstacles and stabilize śānti.
Application: Before main worship, secure entrances with protective sprinkling and invoke pacifying/knowledge-bearing forces to prevent disturbance and maintain ritual integrity.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Tantric Door-Guardian/Threshold Worship; Dvāra-pūjā and Śānti-kalā invocations)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A temple doorway being sprinkled with sanctified water while the priest recites an astra-mantra; doors are worshipped in order from the east, with subtle glyphs representing 'hāṃ' and the presiding kalās (Śānti, Vidyā) hovering as luminous presences.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, grand temple threshold, priest with kalaśa sprinkling water, directional markers (east first), stylized bīja 'hāṃ' near the doorframe, serene kalā-deities as abstract halos, bold outlines and warm tones.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, ornate gilded doorway with gold leaf, priest performing prokṣaṇa, embossed 'hāṃ' motif, Śānti-kalā and Vidyā-kalā suggested as radiant medallions on door panels, rich gold and red palette.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clear instructional scene: sequence of doors labeled by direction, priest sprinkling with a spoon/kuśa, bīja syllable shown in calligraphic panel, calm composition and fine detailing.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed temple gateway, priest and assistants moving clockwise from east, sprinkling water, delicate calligraphy cartouche with 'hāṃ', subtle luminous allegorical figures for Śānti and Vidyā."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: द्वाराण्यस्त्रेण = द्वाराणि अस्त्रेण; पूर्वादिक्रमतो ऽर्चयेत् = पूर्व-आदि-क्रमतः अर्चयेत्; शान्तिकलाद्वाराय = शान्ति-कला-द्वाराय; विद्याकलात्मने = विद्या-कला-आत्मने
Related Themes: Agni Purana pūjā-vidhi: bhūta-śuddhi/nyāsa/dikpāla and dvāra-devatā worship sequences (related ritual chapters)
FAQs
It teaches dvāra-pūjā: first protectively asperge the doors with the astra-mantra, then worship the door-presiding kalās in directional order starting from the east, using the bīja “hāṃ” for invocation.
It preserves a precise, procedural template for temple/house ritual technology—directional sequencing, mantra-bīja usage, and kalā-deity mapping—showing the Agni Purāṇa’s coverage of applied liturgy alongside other sciences.
Astra-prokṣaṇa and kalā-arcana are meant to purify and guard the threshold, pacify obstacles (śānti), and establish auspicious knowledge-energy (vidyā) at entry points, supporting ritual purity and protective merit.