Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 16
जीर्णोद्धारः (Jīrṇoddhāra) — Renovation and Ritual Handling of Defective Liṅgas and Old Shrines
अष्टमूर्तीश्वरान् लिङ्ग पिण्डिकासंस्थितान् गुरुः विसृज्य स्वर्णपाशेन वृषस्कन्धस्थया तथा
aṣṭamūrtīśvarān liṅga piṇḍikāsaṃsthitān guruḥ visṛjya svarṇapāśena vṛṣaskandhasthayā tathā
L’ācārya officiant, après avoir rituellement invoqué puis congédié les Seigneurs aux Huit Formes établis dans le Liṅga et sur le piṇḍikā (socle), doit accomplir l’acte suivant au moyen d’un lasso d’or, en le posant pareillement sur l’épaule du taureau, conformément à la règle.
Lord Agni (narrating to sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Śaiva liṅga-pratiṣṭhā/arcana sequence: formally releasing (visarjana) the invoked Aṣṭamūrti aspects from liṅga and piṇḍikā, then performing a prescribed binding/leading act using a golden pāśa placed on the bull’s shoulder as a ritual implement for transition to the next step.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Aṣṭamūrti-visarjana and Golden Pāśa Act in Liṅga Worship","lookup_keywords":["aṣṭamūrti","visarjana","suvarṇa-pāśa","vṛṣa-skandha","liṅga-piṇḍikā"],"quick_summary":"After invoking Śiva’s eightfold forms into the liṅga and pedestal, the ācārya performs their formal release and proceeds with a golden noose rite placed on the bull’s shoulder, marking a controlled transition in the installation/worship sequence."}
Concept: Deity-invocation is reversible and must be ritually concluded (visarjana) to maintain order (ṛta) and avoid residual binding of energies to the icon/space.
Application: Always complete both āvāhana and visarjana; treat ritual implements (pāśa) and contact points (bull/vehicle symbolism) as regulated conduits, not casual gestures.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Śaiva Liṅga-pratiṣṭhā and worship procedure)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A Śaiva ācārya before a liṅga on its piṇḍikā, completing visarjana of Aṣṭamūrti deities; a golden noose is ceremonially placed upon the shoulder of a sacred bull (Nandin) beside the shrine.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, deep earthy reds and greens, Śaiva priest in white dhoti performing visarjana mudrā before black stone liṅga on yoni-pīṭha, Nandin at side, golden pāśa on bull’s shoulder, lamp-lit sanctum ambience, stylized lotus borders","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central liṅga on ornate pedestal with gem-like highlights, ācārya holding ritual items, Nandin richly adorned, golden pāśa emphasized with gold leaf work, haloed sacred aura, symmetrical composition","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clean linework showing procedural clarity: liṅga-piṇḍikā labeled, priest performing release rite, golden noose placement on Nandin’s shoulder, minimal background, instructional diagram-like elegance","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed courtyard shrine scene, priest and attendants, Nandin with jeweled harness, thin gold detailing on the pāśa, delicate architecture and textiles, subdued yet precise ritual moment"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पिण्डिकासंस्थितान् → पिण्डिका-संस्थितान्; स्वर्णपाशेन → स्वर्ण-पाशेन; वृषस्कन्धस्थया → वृष-स्कन्ध-स्थया
Related Themes: Agni Purana 103 (liṅga-pratiṣṭhā and pūjā-vidhi sequence)
FAQs
It gives a procedural step in Śaiva installation/worship: the ācārya ritually dismisses the invoked aṣṭamūrti-deities associated with the Liṅga and its pedestal, and then performs a prescribed act using a golden pāśa (ritual cord/noose) in connection with the bull (Nandin).
It exemplifies the Agni Purāṇa’s manual-like coverage of temple and icon ritual—documenting precise liturgical implements (pāśa), placements (liṅga/piṇḍikā), and ordered actions (invocation and dismissal), alongside its many other domains.
Correctly invoking and dismissing the presiding powers and following prescribed placements is held to secure ritual purity and completeness (kriyā-sampatti), preventing defects (doṣa) in the consecration and supporting auspicious merit (puṇya) for patron and officiant.