Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 4
Chapter 58 — स्नानादिविधिः (Snānādi-vidhiḥ): Rules for Ritual Bathing and Related Consecration Rites
मण्डपे प्रतिमां स्थाप्य सवस्त्रां पूजितान् स्तुवन् नमस्तेर्च्ये सुरेशानि प्रणीते विश्वकर्मणा
maṇḍape pratimāṃ sthāpya savastrāṃ pūjitān stuvan namastercye sureśāni praṇīte viśvakarmaṇā
Après avoir établi l’effigie dans le maṇḍapa et, l’ayant honorée—revêtue de ses vêtements—la louer, on dira : «Hommage à Toi, ô Déesse digne d’adoration, Souveraine des dieux, façonnée par Viśvakarmā».
Lord Agni (in instruction to sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purana dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vrata","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Pratima-sthapana within a mandapa: installing a clothed icon, performing initial worship and stuti, and uttering a formal namaskara addressed to the deity as Viśvakarmā-crafted.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Maṇḍapa-pratimā-sthāpana with stuti and namaskāra","lookup_keywords":["maṇḍapa","pratimā-sthāpana","vastra-arpana","stuti","Viśvakarmā"],"quick_summary":"After placing the icon in the pavilion and offering garments, the worshipper praises and salutes the deity, acknowledging the divine craftsmanship of Viśvakarmā as part of consecratory etiquette."}
Alamkara Type: Sambodhana (direct address) with stuti-style repetition/epithet usage
Concept: Devotion is enacted through correct ritual sequence—installation, offering, praise, and humble salutation—treating the image as a fit locus of divine presence.
Application: Use stuti/namaskāra as a formal ‘inviting and honoring’ step during pratimā-sthāpana, especially after vastra-arpana.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Pratima-sthapana and Mandapa-archana)
Primary Rasa: Bhakti
Secondary Rasa: Shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A pavilion (maṇḍapa) with a newly installed, cloth-draped deity icon on a pedestal; the worshipper stands with folded hands, reciting homage, while attendants hold offerings and lamps.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, flat vibrant colors, mandapa interior with carved pillars, clothed Devī icon on bhadra pedestal, devotee in añjali reciting stuti, oil lamps and flower offerings, sacred calm atmosphere","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central clothed Devī icon with ornate jewelry and halo, gold foil highlights on garments and arch, devotee offering flowers in mandapa, rich reds and greens, temple lamps","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, delicate linework, mandapa setting with pratimā on pedestal, priest performing stuti and namaskāra, soft pastel palette, emphasis on ritual objects and textiles","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed pavilion architecture with patterned textiles, priest praising a draped icon, attendants with trays of offerings, fine borders and intricate floor designs"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: नमस्तेर्च्ये = नमः + ते + अर्च्ये; सुरेशानि = सुर + ईशानि (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष); स्तुवन् (शतृ) agrees with implied worshipper; प्रणीते taken as स्त्री. सप्तमी agreeing with प्रतिमाम् (contextual).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 58 (Pūjā-vidhi: pratimā-sthāpana, maṇḍapa-arcana sequence)
FAQs
It gives a practical step of pratimā-pratiṣṭhā: place the icon in a maṇḍapa, clothe and worship it, then recite a stuti/namaskāra addressing the deity as worship-worthy and as divinely fashioned (Viśvakarmā).
Alongside theology, it preserves applied liturgical procedure—how to set up a worship space, install an image, adorn it, and use formulaic praise—showing the Purana’s coverage of temple practice, iconography, and ritual speech-acts.
Correct installation, adornment, and reverential praise sanctify the worship setting and align the devotee’s action (karma) with devotion (bhakti), traditionally held to yield purification and merit through proper deity-honouring practice.