Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 25
Pratiṣṭhā-Kalaśa-Śodhana-Ukti (Instruction on Purifying the Consecration Pitcher) — Chapter 85
छिन्द्यादस्त्रेण कर्तर्या कलावीजवता यथा ॐ ह्रीं प्रतिष्ठाकलापाशाय हः फट् विसृज्य वर्तुलीकृत्य पाशमन्त्रेण पूर्ववत्
chindyādastreṇa kartaryā kalāvījavatā yathā oṃ hrīṃ pratiṣṭhākalāpāśāya haḥ phaṭ visṛjya vartulīkṛtya pāśamantreṇa pūrvavat
Er soll es mit dem Waffen-Mantra (Astra) durchtrennen, wie mit der rituellen Schere, die mit der Bīja-Silbe der Kalā versehen ist. Indem er spricht: „Oṃ Hrīṃ—dem Weihe-Kalā‑Schlingenband—Haḥ Phaṭ“, soll er es aussenden, zu einem Kreis formen und dann mit dem Pāśa‑Mantra (Schlinge) nach der früheren Vorschrift fortfahren.
Lord Agni (traditionally instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Pratiṣṭhā/nyāsa-oriented ritual handling of a symbolic bond/noose (pāśa): cutting, casting, circularizing (vartuḷī-karaṇa), and re-applying the pāśa-mantra as a controlled purification/containment step.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Pratiṣṭhā-kalā-pāśa: chedana–visarga–vartuḷīkaraṇa","lookup_keywords":["pratiṣṭhā-kalā","pāśa-mantra","astra-mantra","vartuḷīkaraṇa","chedana (cutting)"],"quick_summary":"The verse prescribes a precise sequence: cut the ritual bond with an astra-mantra, cast it forth with the Pratiṣṭhā-kalā-pāśa mantra, form a protective circle, and continue with the standard pāśa-mantra procedure."}
Concept: Bandha (bondage/obstruction) is ritually severed and contained through mantra-śakti and prescribed sequence (krama).
Application: Follow krama exactly—cut (chedana), release (visarga), encircle (vartuḷīkaraṇa), then resume the main rite—so that obstacles are neutralized without dispersing ritual power.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Tantra-Mantra (Pratiṣṭhā and Pāśa-mantra procedures)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: śānta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritualist symbolically cuts a noose-like bond with mantra-empowered 'scissors/weapon', casts it outward, and draws a circular boundary before continuing the rite.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, priest in white mundu performing tantric pratiṣṭhā, glowing mantra syllables 'oṃ hrīṃ haḥ phaṭ' around a severed pāśa, circular protective mandala line, warm lamp-lit sanctum palette, flat iconic composition","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-leaf haloed ritual circle, stylized pāśa being cut by a radiant astra, embossed mantra letters, rich reds and greens, ornate borders, consecration atmosphere","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional clarity: stepwise depiction of cutting the pāśa, casting, then drawing a circle; fine linework, muted pastels, labeled mantra syllables near the hands","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed yajña setting with ladles and ritual tools, a scholar-priest cutting a cord/noose, circular chalk line on floor, delicate calligraphy-like mantra text in margins"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: अस्त्रेण = अस्त्र + एण; प्रतिष्ठाकलापाशाय = प्रतिष्ठा-कलापाश + आय (चतुर्थी); पाशमन्त्रेण = पाश-मन्त्रेण (समास).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 85 (earlier 'pūrvavat' pāśa-mantra steps); Agni Purana 85 (pratiṣṭhā/nyāsa and astra-prayoga context)
FAQs
It teaches a precise consecration-step: ritually “cutting” with the astra-mantra (as if using mantra-empowered scissors), then projecting the mantra-force, forming it into a protective circle, and continuing with the pāśa-mantra as per the earlier rite.
Alongside narratives, the Agni Purana preserves applied ritual technology—specific bīja-syllables, mantra-functions (cutting/dispelling), and procedural directions for pratiṣṭhā—showing its coverage of temple/installation manuals and tantric liturgy.
The astra and phaṭ elements signify purification and removal of obstacles, while the circular formation and pāśa-mantra indicate binding/protection—ritually securing the space/object so the consecration proceeds in an auspicious, safeguarded manner.