Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 28
Chapter 43 — प्रासाददेवतास्थापनम्
Installation of Deities in a Temple
श्वाधिपतये इति ख, चिह्नितपुअतकपाठः प्रपन्नो ऽस्मि इति ख, चिह्नितपुस्तकपाठः ॐ ॐ ह्रीं फडिति ग, चिह्नितपुस्तकपाठः विश्वकर्मणिमिति ख, ग, चिह्नितपुअतकपाठः विश्वात्मकमिति ग, घ, ङ, चिह्नितपुस्तकत्रयपाठः शिलां कृत्वा पिण्डिकार्थं किञ्चिन्न्यूनान्तु कल्पयेत् रथे स्थाप्य समानीय सवस्त्रां कारुवेश्मनि पूजयित्वाथ घटयेत् प्रतिमां स तु कर्मकृत्
śvādhipataye iti kha, cihnitapuatakapāṭhaḥ prapanno 'smi iti kha, cihnitapustakapāṭhaḥ oṃ oṃ hrīṃ phaḍiti ga, cihnitapustakapāṭhaḥ viśvakarmaṇimiti kha, ga, cihnitapuatakapāṭhaḥ viśvātmakamiti ga, gha, ṅa, cihnitapustakatrayapāṭhaḥ śilāṃ kṛtvā piṇḍikārthaṃ kiñcinnyūnāntu kalpayet rathe sthāpya samānīya savastrāṃ kāruveśmani pūjayitvātha ghaṭayet pratimāṃ sa tu karmakṛt
« (Dans certains manuscrits marqués, on lit :) “śvādhipataye”, “prapanno ’smi”, “oṃ oṃ hrīṃ phaḍ”, “viśvakarmaṇim” et “viśvātmakam”. » Ayant préparé une pierre (bloc brut) destinée à sculpter l’image, on doit la façonner légèrement plus petite. La plaçant sur un chariot et l’amenant à l’atelier, avec des étoffes pour la couvrir, l’artisan doit d’abord la vénérer dans la maison du maître d’œuvre ; ensuite, l’officiant accomplira l’établissement de l’effigie, en achevant sa fabrication afin qu’elle soit prête pour l’installation rituelle.
Lord Agni (in the Agni Purana’s instructional narration, traditionally to Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Shilpa","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Text-critical note on variant mantra/readings, followed by a practical workflow for stone-image preparation: make the stone blank slightly undersized, transport on a cart with cloth covering, perform preliminary worship in the artisan’s house/workshop, then complete the idol for installation.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Pratimā-śilā-saṃskāra and workshop pūjā (with pāṭha-bheda notes)","lookup_keywords":["pāṭhabheda","śilā-piṇḍikā","ratha-āropaṇa","kāru-veśman","pratimā-sthāpana"],"quick_summary":"Records manuscript variants for associated invocations, then gives a clear artisan protocol: prepare a slightly undersized stone blank, transport respectfully, worship it in the workshop, and only then finalize the image for installation."}
Concept: Material preparation and respectful handling are part of sacred efficacy; correct sequence (pūrvakriyā → pūjā → completion) safeguards both form and sanctity.
Application: In sacred or high-stakes fabrication, plan tolerances (slightly undersized blank), protect during transport, and perform a formal ‘handoff’/sanctification step before final deployment.
Khanda Section: Pratima-Lakshana & Puja-Vidhi (Icon-making and installation ritual)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: śānta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A stone blank for an idol is prepared slightly undersized, wrapped in cloth, loaded onto a cart, brought to the artisan’s workshop, worshipped with lamps and offerings, then set for final carving/establishment.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, cart carrying cloth-covered stone block, artisans in procession, workshop shrine with lamps for pūjā, bold outlines and traditional palette, sense of ritual movement","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, cloth-draped stone on a cart with ornate borders, workshop pūjā scene with gold-embossed lamps and offerings, artisan performing ārati, rich gold detailing","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, sequential narrative panels: undersized stone blank, transport on cart, workshop worship, final setting of pratimā; fine linework and clear instructional composition","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, bustling workshop courtyard, cart with covered stone, artisans and patrons, detailed textiles and tools, intimate pūjā scene with lamps and flowers"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shree","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: प्रपन्नो 'स्मि इत्यादि पाठान्तर-टिप्पण्यः (kha/ga/gha/ṅa) श्लोकाङ्गत्वेन न विश्लेषिताः; किञ्चिन्न्यूनान्तु = किञ्चित् न्यूनान् तु; पूजयित्वाथ = पूजयित्वा अथ.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 43.26–43.27 (artisan preparation and shaping principles)
FAQs
It gives a practical icon-making protocol: prepare a slightly undersized stone blank for carving, transport it to the artisan’s workshop with coverings, perform a preliminary worship there, and then complete/ready the pratimā for installation.
It preserves specialized craft-ritual knowledge—how sculpture, transport logistics, workshop procedure, and mantra-usage integrate into temple practice—showing the Purana’s coverage beyond mythology into applied śilpa and pūjā-vidhi.
By worshipping the image-material before finishing/installation, the act of crafting is sacralized; the artisan’s work becomes a rite (karma), aiming to ensure purity, auspiciousness, and divine presence in the completed pratimā.