Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 5
Liṅga-māna-ādi-kathana
Measurements and Related Particulars of the Liṅga
रसजं रसलोहादिरत्नगर्भन्तु वर्धयेत् मानादि नेष्टं सिद्धादि स्थापितेथ स्वयम्भुवि
rasajaṃ rasalohādiratnagarbhantu vardhayet mānādi neṣṭaṃ siddhādi sthāpitetha svayambhuvi
Il faut accroître (potentialiser) le produit né du rasa (mercure), à savoir le métal-rasa et l’essence de gemme. Les quantités mesurées et le reste ne doivent pas être modifiés; la préparation accomplie (siddha) et autres doivent être établies (consacrées) dans le liṅga Svayambhū (auto-manifesté).
Lord Agni (narrating Agni Purana’s technical vidyas to the sage Vasiṣṭha, in the standard frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Ayurveda","practical_application":"Guidance for rasa-śāstra style preparation: potentiating mercury-derived products (rasa-loha, ratna-garbha) with strict measurement, then ritually establishing them in/with a svayambhū liṅga context.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Rasa-siddhi: Potentiation and consecration of mercury-derived products","lookup_keywords":["rasa","rasa-loha","ratna-garbha","mana-pramana","svayambhu linga"],"quick_summary":"Maintain fixed measures in mercury-based preparations, complete the siddha process, and ritually establish the result in relation to a svayambhū liṅga—linking laboratory discipline with consecration."}
Concept: Discipline (niyama) and exactness in transformative practice: material transmutation/potentiation must be governed by measure and culminate in sanctification.
Application: Treat any potent preparation—ritual or medicinal—as requiring (1) fixed standards, (2) verified completion, and (3) ethical/sacred contextualization before deployment.
Khanda Section: Rasa-shastra / Dhatu-vada (Alchemy and metallurgical augmentation within encyclopedic vidyas)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"An alchemical workspace with mercury processing under strict measurement, culminating in a priest placing a sealed, perfected preparation near a naturally arisen svayambhū liṅga in a sanctum.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, split scene: left—alchemist measuring mercury in traditional vessels; right—svayambhū liṅga in a dim sanctum with lamps, the siddha preparation offered with reverence, earthy reds and greens.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, svayambhū liṅga central with gold-leaf aura, foreground tray holding a small sealed rasa preparation, ornate ritual vessels, embossed gold highlights.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional depiction of measuring (māna) with labeled containers, then sthāpana near liṅga, clean composition and soft palette.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed laboratory-temple interior, scales and measures, mercury apparatus, then a small shrine niche with svayambhū liṅga, fine linework and subdued tones"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Darbari Kanada","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: rasalohādiratnagarbhantu = rasa-loha-ādi-ratna-garbham tu; neṣṭaṃ interpreted as na iṣṭam (sandhi: a+i→e). 'sthāpitetha' in source appears irregular; segmented as sthāpite + itha (reading uncertain).
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Rasa-śāstra and dhātu-vāda subsections contiguous to this verse; Agni Purana: Svayambhū-liṅga and liṅga-pūjā discussions in pūjā-vidhi portions
FAQs
It gives a Rasa-śāstra instruction: mercurial and metal/gem-based preparations are to be ‘augmented’ while strictly preserving prescribed measurements, and the accomplished (siddha) product is to be ritually established in a Svayambhū liṅga.
It combines technical alchemy/metallurgy (rasa, loha, ratna processing and dosage control) with temple-ritual practice (installation/consecration), showing how the Agni Purana integrates applied sciences with worship procedures.
By insisting on correct measures and consecrating the perfected preparation in a Svayambhū liṅga, the act is framed as both technically valid and ritually sanctified—linking material efficacy with purity, merit, and divine authorization.