Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 30
Chapter 59 — अधिवासनकथनं
Adhivāsana: The Rite of Inviting and Stabilizing Hari’s Presence
स्थाने तु प्रथमा योज्या द्वितीया आसने मता तृतीया शयने तद्वच्चतुर्थी पानकर्मणि
sthāne tu prathamā yojyā dvitīyā āsane matā tṛtīyā śayane tadvaccaturthī pānakarmaṇi
Dans le lieu convenable au rite, on doit employer la Première (application/cas) ; la Deuxième est prescrite lorsqu’on est assis ; la Troisième lorsqu’on est étendu ; et de même la Quatrième dans l’acte de boire.
Lord Agni (instructional narration to the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Guides correct sequencing of mantra/case-form (vibhakti) applications or nyasa-steps according to bodily posture and ritual action (standing, sitting, lying, drinking) during puja.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Vibhakti/nyasa application by posture and action (1st–4th)","lookup_keywords":["vibhakti-nyasa","asana-bheda","shayana-vidhi","panakarma","puja-krama"],"quick_summary":"Apply the first form in the proper ritual station, the second while seated, the third while lying down, and the fourth during the act of drinking—ensuring posture-appropriate mantra deployment."}
Concept: Ritual efficacy depends on correct krama (sequence) and deha-avastha (bodily posture) alignment with mantra-application.
Application: Use as a checklist during puja/nyasa so posture and action match the prescribed step, avoiding ritual doṣa (fault).
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Ritual Procedure and Nyasa/Mantra-application)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A Vaishnava practitioner performing puja in stages—standing at the ritual spot, then seated, then reclining, then sipping sanctified drink—each stage marked by mantra-gesture (nyasa mudra).","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, Vaishnava priest in traditional attire, four-panel narrative showing standing puja, seated japa, reclining shayana-nyasa, and sipping panaka, flat colors, bold outlines, sacred lamp and kalasha present.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting with gold leaf, central Vishnu altar and priest, surrounding four small vignettes for the four postures/actions, rich reds and greens, ornate arch, embossed ornaments.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, instructional composition with labeled postures (sthana, asana, shayana, panakarma), delicate lines, muted palette, temple interior details and ritual implements clearly shown.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly interior adapted as temple chamber, finely detailed carpet and vessels, sequential scenes of the same devotee changing posture, precise depiction of sipping sanctified drink and hand gestures."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: tadvaccaturthī → tadvat + caturthī (final -t + c-).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 59 (Puja-vidhi sections on nyasa and mantra-krama)
FAQs
It assigns specific ‘applications’ (prathamā–caturthī) to particular ritual contexts—standing at the appointed place, sitting, lying down, and drinking—indicating a posture/act-based rule for mantra/nyāsa deployment.
Beyond mythology, it preserves procedural ritual minutiae—linking grammatical/ordinal categories (prathamā etc.) with embodied practice (āsana, śayana, pāna)—showing the text’s handbook-like coverage of liturgy and applied technique.
Correct placement of mantra/nyāsa according to posture and action is treated as a condition for ritual purity and efficacy, helping ensure the rite yields its intended merit (puṇya) without procedural fault (doṣa).