Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 54
Chapter 59 — अधिवासनकथनं
Adhivāsana: The Rite of Inviting and Stabilizing Hari’s Presence
द्वादशार्णैः स्पृशेत् पादौ नाभिं हृन् मस्तकं ततः घृतं दधि पयो हुत्वा स्पृशेन्मूर्धन्यथो ततः
dvādaśārṇaiḥ spṛśet pādau nābhiṃ hṛn mastakaṃ tataḥ ghṛtaṃ dadhi payo hutvā spṛśenmūrdhanyatho tataḥ
Avec le mantra de douze syllabes, on doit toucher les pieds, puis le nombril, le cœur et la tête. Après avoir offert au feu le ghee, le caillé et le lait, on touchera ensuite le sommet (la couronne) de la tête.
Lord Agni (in discourse to sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Mantra-sparśa (ritual touching/nyāsa) with a dvādaśākṣara mantra across body loci, followed by homa of dairy substances and crown-touching to seal consecration.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Dvādaśākṣara mantra-sparśa with ghṛta-dadhi-kṣīra homa","lookup_keywords":["dvadasakshara","mantra sparsha","nyasa","ghrita dadhi payas","abhisheka"],"quick_summary":"Touch feet, navel, heart, and head while reciting the twelve-syllabled mantra; offer ghee, curd, and milk into the fire; then touch the crown to complete the consecratory sequence. This integrates bodily nyāsa with homa-dravya sanctification."}
Dosha: Pitta
Concept: Deha as altar: mantra-nyāsa aligns bodily centers with the deity/mantra, while homa offerings externalize and reinforce inner purification.
Application: In pūjā/homa contexts using a dvādaśākṣara mantra (commonly Vaiṣṇava), perform the specified touch-sequence, then offer ghṛta-dadhi-kṣīra, and conclude by touching the crown to ‘seal’ the rite.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Mantra-sparsha & Abhisheka ritual procedure)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A priest (or devotee) performs nyāsa: touching feet, navel, heart, head in sequence while chanting; a homa fire burns nearby as ghee, curd, and milk are offered; final gesture touches the crown, indicating completion.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, devotee-priest shown in four sequential touch gestures (feet, navel, heart, head) around a central homa fire, vessels of ghee-curd-milk, calm sacred palette, stylized bodily loci highlighted","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, central figure performing mantra-sparśa with gold aura, homa fire with gold highlights, ornate vessels for ghee/curd/milk, devotional symmetry, rich jewel tones","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional panel-like composition: numbered touch points on body implied, homa setup with three dairy offerings, fine linework, clear gestures, soft shading","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, intimate ritual interior, figure touching body points while an assistant offers dairy into fire, detailed vessels and textiles, delicate borders, naturalistic gestures"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: द्वादशार्णैः = द्वादश + अर्णैः; कुर्यात्ततः (not in this verse) pattern; पयो = पयः (visarga-lopa before consonant in some recensions); स्पृशेन्मूर्धन्यथो = स्पृशेत् + मूर्धनि + अथ + उ; हृन् read as हृत् (हृद्-शब्दस्य रूपान्तरम्).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 59 (mantra-sparśa/nyāsa and abhiṣeka-related procedures)
FAQs
It teaches a specific mantra-based touching sequence (sparśa/nyāsa) using a twelve-syllabled mantra, followed by homa with ghee, curd, and milk, and concluding with touching the crown of the head.
Beyond mythology, it preserves practical liturgical details—mantra-application on body-points and prescribed oblations—showing the Agni Purana’s function as a ritual handbook alongside its many other knowledge domains.
The coordinated nyāsa and homa are framed as acts of purification and consecration, aligning body, speech (mantra), and offering (havis) to produce ritual merit and devotional sanctity.