Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 9
Chapter 47 — शालग्रामादिपूजाकथनं
Teaching the Worship of Śālagrāma and Related Sacred Forms
पूर्वादावथ वेदाद्यैर् गायत्रीभ्यां जितादिना प्रणवेनार्चयेत् पञ्चान्मुद्रास्तिस्रः प्रदर्शयेत्
pūrvādāvatha vedādyair gāyatrībhyāṃ jitādinā praṇavenārcayet pañcānmudrāstisraḥ pradarśayet
En commençant par l’est, puis avec les passages d’ouverture (d’invocation) du Veda, avec les deux mantras Gāyatrī, avec le mantra commençant par « Jita… », et avec le Praṇava (Oṃ), on doit accomplir le culte; et l’on doit montrer les trois mudrā (gestes rituels) ainsi que les cinq (mudrā).
Lord Agni (instructing Sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s ritual sections)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Puja-vidhi","practical_application":"Directional (dik) orientation, mantra-sequencing (Veda-ādi, Gāyatrī-dvaya, Jita-ādi, Praṇava) and mudrā-display as a standardized opening for worship/nyāsa.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Pūjā-ārambha: Dikkrama, Gāyatrī–Praṇava-arcana, Mudrā-pradarśana","lookup_keywords":["pūjā-vidhi","gāyatrī-dvaya","praṇava","mudrā","pūrvādi-dik"],"quick_summary":"Begin worship facing/starting from the east, invoke with Vedic opening formulas, apply the two Gāyatrīs and Praṇava, and seal the rite with prescribed mudrās; this establishes ritual correctness and protection."}
Concept: Mantra and mudrā as śakti-nyāsa: correct sequencing and sealing makes worship efficacious.
Application: Use a fixed opening protocol (dikkrama + mantra + mudrā) to avoid ritual omissions (doṣa) and to stabilize attention (ekāgratā).
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Mantra-nyasa, Gayatri and Pranava worship, Mudra-prayoga)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: Sacred direction
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A worshipper seated before a small altar, oriented to the east, reciting Vedic invocations, then Gāyatrī and Oṃ, while displaying a sequence of hand-mudrās.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, east-facing brāhmaṇa/ācārya performing pūjā, right hand showing mudrās, palm-leaf manuscript and kalasha nearby, warm earthy reds and greens, stylized flames of dīpa, serene sanctum ambience.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-leaf haloed altar with Viṣṇu-symbolic motifs, priest in white performing mudrā-pradarśana, ornate arch frame, rich jewel tones, embossed gold detailing on ritual vessels and lotus motifs.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, clean linework showing stepwise ritual: east direction marker, mantra recitation, then five and three mudrās illustrated, soft pastel palette, instructional composition with labeled gestures.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, intimate indoor shrine scene, scholar-priest reciting from a manuscript, subtle depiction of hand gestures, detailed textiles and brass lamps, balanced composition with east indicated by rising sun through a window."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पूर्वादौ = पूर्व + आदौ (अव्ययीभाव); वेदाद्यैः = वेदादि + ऐः; प्रणवेनार्चयेत् = प्रणवेन + अर्चयेत्; पञ्चान्मुद्राः = पञ्चान् + मुद्राः; मुद्रास्तिस्रः = मुद्राः + तिस्रः
Related Themes: Agni Purana 47 (Pūjā-vidhi sections on nyāsa, mudrā, praṇava-arcana)
FAQs
It prescribes a concrete pūjā-sequence: orienting the rite from the eastern direction, invoking Vedic openings, applying specified mantras (two Gāyatrīs, a ‘Jita-…’ formula, and Oṃ), and performing prescribed sets of mudrās (three and five) as part of formal worship.
Alongside theology, the Agni Purana preserves practical liturgical technology—directional procedure, mantra-ordering, and mudrā-performance—showing how Purāṇic texts function as handbooks for applied ritual (pūjā-prayoga), not only as narrative scripture.
By aligning direction (east), mantra (Gāyatrī and Praṇava), and gesture (mudrā), the rite is made ritually complete and purified; such correctness is traditionally held to stabilize intention (saṅkalpa), remove obstacles, and increase the efficacy (siddhi) and merit (puṇya) of worship.