Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 20
Chapter 43 — प्रासाददेवतास्थापनम्
Installation of Deities in a Temple
विष्णुबिम्बार्थमस्माकं यात्रैषा केशवाज्ञया विष्ण्वर्थं यद्भवेत् कार्यं युष्माकमपि तद्भवेत्
viṣṇubimbārthamasmākaṃ yātraiṣā keśavājñayā viṣṇvarthaṃ yadbhavet kāryaṃ yuṣmākamapi tadbhavet
Notre pèlerinage est entrepris, sur l’ordre de Keśava, pour le bimba (l’icône sacrée) de Viṣṇu. Quel que soit le service à accomplir pour la finalité de Viṣṇu, accomplissez-le vous aussi.
Lord Agni (narrating the Purana’s instruction in dialogue form)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vrata","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Pilgrimage framed as service to Viṣṇu’s icon (bimba): organizing collective duty, permissions, and shared responsibility for temple/icon-related work.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Yātrā for Viṣṇu-bimba under Keśava’s Command","lookup_keywords":["tīrtha-yātrā","viṣṇu-bimba","keśava-ājñā","sevā","bhakti"],"quick_summary":"A pilgrimage is legitimized as divinely commanded service to Viṣṇu’s icon; all participants are enjoined to contribute to whatever work benefits Viṣṇu’s purpose."}
Concept: Sevā-bhāva: pilgrimage is not mere travel but purposeful service to the deity’s presence through the icon.
Application: Treat yātrā as disciplined devotional work—funding, carrying materials, arranging worship, supporting artisans/priests—done as shared obligation.
Khanda Section: Tirtha-yatra & Vishnu-bhakti (Pilgrimage and devotional instruction)
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: Tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Pilgrims address local helpers/attendants, declaring the journey is by Keśava’s command for Viṣṇu’s icon; they invite everyone to participate in the deity’s service.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, procession of devotees with flags and lamps, a covered palanquin carrying a Viṣṇu icon, leader gesturing instruction, lush temple landscape, devotional solemnity.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, Viṣṇu bimba emphasized with gold halo and ornaments, devotees offering garlands and coins, rich gold work on icon and arch, theme of sevā.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear narrative panel: leader speaking, attendants preparing offerings and travel supplies for icon service, delicate pastel palette, instructional clarity.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, caravan scene with detailed costumes, a small shrine-box containing the icon, courtly composition, inscription cartouche indicating Keśava’s command."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: विष्णुबिम्बार्थम् = विष्णु + बिम्ब + अर्थम्; यात्रैषा = यात्रा + एषा; केशवाज्ञया = केशव + आज्ञया; विष्ण्वर्थम् = विष्णु + अर्थम् (u+ a sandhi); यद्भवेत् = यत् + भवेत्; युष्माकमपि = युष्माकम् + अपि; तद्भवेत् = तत् + भवेत्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Viṣṇu-pūjā procedures and bimba-pratiṣṭhā related sections elsewhere in the Purana; Agni Purana: Tīrtha-māhātmya and bhakti instructions in adjacent chapters
FAQs
It frames tīrtha-yātrā as Viṣṇu-directed duty and emphasizes viṣṇv-artha-kārya—practical devotional service connected to the Lord’s icon (bimba), i.e., temple-centered seva rather than mere travel.
Alongside theology, the Agni Purana preserves applied religious practice: pilgrimage rationale, icon-centered worship, and the ethic of shared responsibility in ritual service—linking doctrine (bhakti) with actionable temple/ritual conduct.
By aligning one’s journey and actions with Keśava’s injunction and dedicating works to Viṣṇu, the verse implies purification and merit through niṣkāma-sevā (service oriented to the deity’s purpose) rather than self-centered intention.