Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 45
Adhivāsana-vidhi
Procedure for Preliminary Consecration in Vāstu–Pratiṣṭhā / Īśāna-kalpa
पूर्ववच्चरुकं कृत्वा प्रतिकुण्डं निवेदयेत् यजमानालङ्कृतास्तु व्रजेयुः स्नानमण्डपं
pūrvavaccarukaṃ kṛtvā pratikuṇḍaṃ nivedayet yajamānālaṅkṛtāstu vrajeyuḥ snānamaṇḍapaṃ
Nachdem man das caru (gekochte Opfergabe) wie zuvor bereitet hat, soll man es in das pratikuṇḍa, die Neben-Feuergrube, darbringen. Danach sollen die geschmückten yajamāna, die Opferherren, zum Badepavillon schreiten.
Narratorial/Instructional voice of the Agni Purāṇa (ritual injunction style)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vrata","secondary_vidya":"Vastu","practical_application":"During pratiṣṭhā/īśāna-kalpa rites, prepare the caru offering, place it into the subsidiary fire-pit, and then move the yajamāna(s) in a ritually adorned state to the स्नानमण्डप for the next purification phase.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Caru offering into Pratikuṇḍa and transition to Snāna-maṇḍapa","lookup_keywords":["caru","pratikuṇḍa","yajamāna","snānamaṇḍapa","pratiṣṭhā"],"quick_summary":"After preparing caru as per the prior step, offer it in the subsidiary fire-pit; then the patron proceeds, adorned, to the bathing pavilion to continue the consecration sequence."}
Concept: Kriyā-krama (correct sequencing) and śauca (ritual purity) as prerequisites for successful pratiṣṭhā.
Application: Maintain strict order: homa step → subsidiary offering → bodily/ritual purification step, without mixing phases.
Khanda Section: Vāstu-Pratiṣṭhā & Īśāna-kalpa (Ritual installation and Īśāna-related procedures)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A consecration hall with a main fire and a smaller subsidiary fire-pit; priests offer cooked caru into the pratikuṇḍa while the yajamāna couple, ornamented and in clean garments, proceeds toward a bathing pavilion.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, warm earthy palette, consecration scene with two kuṇḍas (main and pratikuṇḍa), priests in white dhoti, yajamāna adorned with garlands moving toward a snāna-maṇḍapa, stylized architecture and lotus motifs","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-leaf highlights on ritual vessels and ornaments, small subsidiary fire-pit beside main kuṇḍa, yajamāna couple richly adorned, temple bathing pavilion in background, symmetrical composition","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, fine linework, instructional clarity showing pratikuṇḍa placement relative to main kuṇḍa, priest offering caru with ladle, labeled-like visual cues, subdued elegance","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed courtyard with fire altars, attendants carrying ritual items, yajamāna in ornate attire walking toward a pavilion, delicate architectural perspective and textile detail"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: yajamānālaṅkṛtāstu = yajamāna-alaṅkṛtāḥ + tu; nivedayet (ni-vid) ‘should offer’; snānamaṇḍapaṃ = snāna-maṇḍapam.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 96 (Vāstu-pratiṣṭhā / pūjā-vidhi sequence)
FAQs
Caru is a cooked food-oblation (commonly rice or a porridge-like preparation) offered into the ritual fire as part of the homa sequence.
Pratikuṇḍa refers to a secondary or subsidiary fire-pit used alongside the main kuṇḍa for specific offerings in the ritual procedure.
The verse indicates a ritual transition: after completing the prescribed offering, the patron(s), properly adorned, proceed to the bathing pavilion for the next purification/ceremonial step.