Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 13
Chapter 43 — प्रासाददेवतास्थापनम्
Installation of Deities in a Temple
न यदा लभ्यते सम्यग् वर्णिनां वर्णतः शिला वर्णाद्यापादानं तत्र जुह्यात् सिंहविद्यया
na yadā labhyate samyag varṇināṃ varṇataḥ śilā varṇādyāpādānaṃ tatra juhyāt siṃhavidyayā
Lorsqu’on ne peut obtenir convenablement une pierre (śilā) correspondant au varṇa prescrit des officiants, on doit alors offrir au feu un substitut, en commençant par les matériaux appropriés au varṇa, et accomplir l’oblation au moyen de la Siṃha‑vidyā (le rite/mantra du « Lion »).
Lord Agni (in instruction to sage Vasiṣṭha, as per the common Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Ritual substitution (pratinidhi) when prescribed stone cannot be obtained, using homa with Siṃha-vidyā to maintain efficacy and correctness.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Śilā-alābhe pratinidhi-homa: Siṃha-vidyā-prayoga","lookup_keywords":["Siṃha-vidyā","homa","pratinidhi (substitution)","varṇa-anurūpa dravya","śilā-alābha"],"quick_summary":"If the correct varṇa-corresponding stone is unavailable, perform a compensatory oblation using appropriate substitute materials, empowered by the Siṃha-vidyā. This preserves ritual continuity under constraints."}
Concept: Mantra-śakti and homa can ritually ‘complete’ or compensate for missing material prerequisites (pratinidhi-nyāya).
Application: When ideal materials are unobtainable, follow sanctioned substitute-offerings and recite/perform Siṃha-vidyā homa to avoid ritual breakage.
Khanda Section: Agneya-vidya (Mantra-tantra & Homa-vidhi / Ritual Substitutions)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: śānta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A fire altar (homa-kuṇḍa) blazes as the officiant offers substitute materials into the fire, reciting Siṃha-vidyā; nearby, unavailable stone is symbolically represented by an empty pedestal or missing block.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: central homa fire with stylized flames; priest chanting with rosary and ladle; symbolic lion-emblem (Siṃha) motif above; subdued temple palette and ritual geometry.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: brilliant homa scene with gold-leaf flames and ornaments; priest with ladle mid-offering; lion insignia or Siṃha motif in aureole; rich reds and gold detailing.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: stepwise instructional depiction—(1) lack of proper stone (2) selection of substitute dravya (3) homa with Siṃha-vidyā; clear altar geometry and implements.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: intimate ritual chamber with fire pit, attendants holding offering bowls; the officiant recites from a manuscript; a lion banner or emblem indicates Siṃha-vidyā; fine detailing of smoke and light."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: varṇādyāpādānaṃ = varṇa-ādi-āpādānam (ā + ā contraction); varṇataḥ is tasil-anta avyaya; juhyāt is optative of √hu.
Related Themes: Agni Purāṇa 43 (material defects and remedies; homa/prāyaścitta-like substitutions)
FAQs
It teaches a contingency rule for homa: if the prescribed varṇa-specific ritual stone is not available, perform the oblation using an approved substitute, empowered through the Siṃha-vidyā mantra/rite.
Beyond theology, it preserves practical ritual engineering—how to adapt procedures when standard implements are missing—showing the text’s wide coverage of applied mantra-ritual protocols.
It safeguards the efficacy and purity of the rite despite material constraints, emphasizing that correct mantra-authorization (vidyā) can maintain ritual merit when ideal requisites cannot be procured.