Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 35
Śrīrāmāvatāravarṇanam (Description of Śrī Rāma’s Incarnation) — Ayodhyā Abhiṣeka, Vanavāsa, Daśaratha’s Death, Bharata’s Regency
वास्तुपूजान्ततः कृत्वा स्थिता मन्दाकिनीतटे सीतायै दर्शयामास चित्रकूटञ्च राघवः
vāstupūjāntataḥ kṛtvā sthitā mandākinītaṭe sītāyai darśayāmāsa citrakūṭañca rāghavaḥ
Having duly completed the Vāstu-worship (Vāstu-pūjā), while staying on the bank of the Mandākinī, Rāghava also showed Sītā the mountain Citrakūṭa.
Lord Agni (narrating purāṇic material in the Agni Purana’s discourse framework)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Performing Vāstu-pūjā before settling at a site; orienting habitation/āśrama-space as ritually fit and auspicious, especially near sacred waters and hills.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Vāstu-pūjā completion and auspicious site-setting (Mandākinī–Citrakūṭa)","lookup_keywords":["vāstu-pūjā","Mandākinī","Citrakūṭa","site orientation","āśrama-sthāpanā"],"quick_summary":"After completing Vāstu-worship, one may reside at an auspicious riverside location; sacred geography (riverbank and mountain) is treated as ritually supportive for dwelling and dharma-practice."}
Concept: Ritual sanctification of space (vāstu-śuddhi) precedes rightful dwelling and conduct.
Application: Before building/occupying a home, hermitage, or ritual pavilion, perform site-pūjā and choose a sattvic environment (clean water, stable ground, auspicious surroundings).
Khanda Section: Vāstu–Pūjā-vidhi (Ritual preliminaries and sacred-site orientation)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: River/Mountain
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Rāma, after completing a Vāstu-worship rite, stands with Sītā on the Mandākinī riverbank and gestures toward the wooded slopes of Citrakūṭa.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, earthy reds and greens, Rāma and Sītā in forest attire by a flowing river, small ritual altar with offerings indicating vāstu-pūjā, Citrakūṭa hill in the background, stylized foliage, serene devotional ambience.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, Rāma and Sītā with subtle gold ornamentation and halo-like prabhā, river Mandākinī rendered as decorative bands, Citrakūṭa as a gilded hill motif, small pūjā setup with lamps and kalasha, rich jewel tones.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, fine linework, instructional clarity: pūjā items (kalasha, flowers, incense) near the couple, Rāma pointing to Citrakūṭa, labeled-like compositional neatness, soft pastel palette.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed landscape with riverbank flora, Rāma and Sītā in refined garments, attendants minimal, Citrakūṭa hill with layered rocks and trees, delicate architectural-like pūjā platform, naturalistic water rendering."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: वास्तुपूजान्ततः = वास्तु-पूजा-अन्ततः (अव्ययीभाव, तसिल्); चित्रकूटञ्च = चित्रकूटम् + च; मन्दाकिनीतटे = मन्दाकिनी-तटे.
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Vāstu-lakṣaṇa and gṛha-praveśa/vāstu-śānti sections (vāstu-vidyā chapters); Agni Purana: tīrtha-māhātmya style passages (where present)
FAQs
It highlights the completion of Vāstu-pūjā—ritual propitiation/purification connected with dwelling-site or sacred space—before residing at a place, implying that habitation and sacred orientation follow proper site-rites.
It blends ritual-technical material (Vāstu worship as a procedural prerequisite) with epic-sacred geography (Mandākinī, Citrakūṭa, Rāma–Sītā), demonstrating how the Agni Purana interweaves manuals of practice with cultural exemplars and tīrtha context.
Completing Vāstu-pūjā before settling in a location signifies purification and harmonization with the presiding powers of the site, supporting auspiciousness, removal of obstacles, and merit through orderly observance of dharmic rites.