Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 12
Chapter 61 — द्वारप्रतिष्ठाध्वजारोहाणादिविधिः
Gateway Installation, Flag Hoisting, and Allied Rites
अधो दत्वा सुवर्णं तु तद्ववद् भूतं घटं न्यसेत् गुर्वादौ दक्षिणां दद्याद् ब्राह्मणादेश् च भोजनं
adho datvā suvarṇaṃ tu tadvavad bhūtaṃ ghaṭaṃ nyaset gurvādau dakṣiṇāṃ dadyād brāhmaṇādeś ca bhojanaṃ
Après avoir placé de l’or en dessous, on doit déposer un pot (ghaṭa/kumbha) préparé selon la règle. Ensuite, on donnera la dakṣiṇā d’abord au guru et aux autres, et l’on offrira aussi un repas aux brahmanes et au reste des invités.
Lord Agni (in dialogue, traditionally narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Dāna-vidhi completion: placing gold beneath the prepared pot, then distributing dakṣiṇā with priority to guru, and feeding Brahmins/recipients—ensuring proper closure and merit of the rite.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Dāna sequence: gold-underlay, pot placement, dakṣiṇā to guru, bhojana to Brāhmaṇas","lookup_keywords":["dāna-vidhi","dakṣiṇā","guru-priority","brāhmaṇa-bhojana","ghaṭa-nyāsa"],"quick_summary":"Complete the rite by setting gold beneath and placing the prescribed pot, then give dakṣiṇā first to the guru and provide meals to Brahmins and other invitees—formalizing ritual completion and social reciprocity."}
Concept: Dāna and honoring the guru as dharmic completion of yajña/pūjā; feeding others as redistribution of sacred merit and social harmony.
Application: After rituals, prioritize teacher-priest remuneration and communal feeding to avoid ‘unfinished’ rites and to uphold dharmic obligations.
Khanda Section: Dāna-vidhi (Charity and ritual gifting procedures)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritual setting where a pot is placed with gold beneath it; the officiant offers dakṣiṇā first to the guru, followed by a seated line of Brahmins and guests being served a ceremonial meal.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, temple courtyard scene: kalasha on a small pedestal with gold beneath, guru receiving dakṣiṇā, banana-leaf feast for Brahmins, warm tones and dignified expressions.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-foil emphasis on the gold-underlay and dakṣiṇā coins, guru centrally honored, richly dressed donors, stylized banquet with ornate vessels and lamps.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clear narrative panels: (1) gold placed under pot, (2) dakṣiṇā to guru, (3) brāhmaṇa-bhojana service; fine lines and soft palette.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed domestic/temple hall, donor presenting dakṣiṇā to a seated guru, attendants serving food to Brahmins in rows, textiles and utensils rendered intricately."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Khamaj","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: tadvavad → tad-vat; gurvādau → guru-ādau; brāhmaṇādeś ca → brāhmaṇa-ādeḥ + ca.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 61 (dāna-vidhi and ritual completion)
FAQs
It gives a practical dāna/ritual sequence: place gold beneath, install the properly prepared ritual pot (ghaṭa), then pay dakṣiṇā (starting with the guru) and conclude with feeding Brahmins/guests.
Beyond mythology, it preserves procedural dharma—step-by-step charity logistics (materials, placement, fees, and hospitality), showing the text’s coverage of applied ritual law and social-religious practice.
Correct gifting (suvarṇa), proper ritual setup (ghaṭa), honoring teachers/priests (dakṣiṇā), and feeding Brahmins are presented as merit-generating acts that complete and sanctify a rite through generosity and hospitality.