Varaha Purana 182.21: Adhyaya 182, Shloka 21
Installation of a Stone Image
Ritual Procedure for Consecration
तत एतेन मन्त्रेण प्रासादं संप्रवेशयेत् ॥ प्रतिमा स्थापितव्या मे मध्ये न तु विपार्श्वतः ॥
tata etena mantreṇa prāsādaṁ saṁpraveśayet || pratimā sthāpitavyā me madhye na tu vipārśvataḥ ||
Dann soll man mit diesem Mantra den Tempel betreten. Das Bildnis (pratimā) ist für Mich in der Mitte zu errichten, nicht zu einer der Seiten.
Varāha (default, instructional voice)
Varaha Avatara Context: {"is_varaha_focus":true}
Bhu Devi Dialogue: {"is_dialogue":false,"speaker_role":"instructor"}
Mathura Mandala: {"is_mathura_related":false}
Dharma Shastra: {"has_dharma_rule":true,"instruction_summary":"Using the stated mantra, lead the rite into the prāsāda and install the Lord’s image in the center (madhya), not on either side.","karmic_consequence":"Central placement signifies proper hierarchy and stability of worship; incorrect placement is a doṣa in pratiṣṭhā, diminishing auspiciousness and intended results."}
Vrata Mahatmya: {"has_vrata":false}
Cosmic Boar Symbolism: {"has_symbolism":true,"symbolic_interpretation":"The ‘center’ encodes the Lord as axis (nābhi) of the sacred space—like the cosmic support on which Earth rests; spatial dharma mirrors metaphysical centrality of Īśvara.","yajna_varaha_imagery":"Madhya-sthāna parallels the altar’s core where Agni is established; the deity as Yajña’s heart is placed at the spatial ‘hṛdaya’ of the prāsāda.","vedantic_connection":"Īśvara as the inner center (hṛdaya-guha) of beings; external centering trains internal centering—placing the divine at the ‘middle’ of life and attention."}
Philosophical Teaching: {"has_teaching":true,"teaching_type":"sacred space as spiritual pedagogy","core_concept":"Right placement embodies right understanding: the Lord is not peripheral but central—spatial order supports inner order.","practical_application":"In worship and daily life, ‘center’ the divine: prioritize dharma and remembrance; avoid relegating devotion to the margins."}
Subject Matter: ["Ritual Procedure","Temple Architecture","Heritage Sites"]
Primary Rasa: śānta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
Type: temple sanctum (architectural center)
Related Themes: Varāha Purāṇa 182.22-23 (installation and mantra)
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Inside the sanctum, the image is positioned precisely at the centerline; attendants measure and align while the priest guides entry with mantra.","item_prompts":["garbhagṛha interior","central pedestal (pīṭha)","measuring cord/line","priest gesturing placement","attendants holding the image","symmetrical lamps","doorway behind aligned to center"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: symmetrical sanctum composition, central pīṭha and aligned lamps; priests in ritual posture; emphasis on geometry and centeredness.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: richly ornamented sanctum with gold-leaf on pedestal and lamps; perfectly centered deity-image; strong axial symmetry.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: architectural precision, soft lighting from lamps; careful placement gesture; calm, orderly scene.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari: compact sanctum with clear central axis; delicate figures aligning the image; gentle lamp-glow and balanced composition."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"directive and steady","suggested_raga":"Hamsadhwani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"firm, clear, procedural"}
FAQs
It preserves a prescriptive ritual-architectural norm—installing the icon centrally—useful for studying Purāṇic temple practice and the textual history of image-worship procedures.
No specific place-name appears in this verse; it addresses general temple entry and icon placement.
Procedural discipline: the rite is to be performed in an orderly manner, emphasizing correct placement and method rather than personal preference.
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