Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 13
Chapter 61 — द्वारप्रतिष्ठाध्वजारोहाणादिविधिः
Gateway Installation, Flag Hoisting, and Allied Rites
ततः पश्चाद्वेदिबन्धं तदूर्ध्वं कण्ठबन्धनं कण्ठोपरिष्टात् कर्तव्यं विमलामलसारकं
tataḥ paścādvedibandhaṃ tadūrdhvaṃ kaṇṭhabandhanaṃ kaṇṭhopariṣṭāt kartavyaṃ vimalāmalasārakaṃ
Ensuite, on doit exécuter la ligature de l’autel (vedi-bandha). Au-dessus, on préparera la « ligature de la gorge » (kaṇṭha-bandhana), à réaliser au-dessus du cou ; qu’elle soit pure, sans souillure et ferme, d’essence (sāraka).
Lord Agni (in discourse to sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purana narration frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Ritual construction sequencing for a vedī (altar): forming the vedi-bandha and the kaṇṭha-bandhana with specified purity and firmness to ensure structural stability and ritual correctness.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Vedi-bandha and Kaṇṭha-bandhana (altar bindings)","lookup_keywords":["vedi-bandha","kaṇṭha-bandhana","vedī construction","pūjā-vidhi","ritual masonry"],"quick_summary":"After completing the base, bind the altar (vedi-bandha) and then form the upper ‘throat-binding’ (kaṇṭha-bandhana), ensuring it is clean, blemishless, and firm for both stability and ritual purity."}
Concept: Śuddhi (purity) and saṃskāra (proper formation) of ritual supports as a prerequisite for effective worship.
Application: Treat construction quality and cleanliness as part of dharma: careful workmanship is itself a ritual act.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Vedi-bandha and ritual construction details)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritual workspace where artisans-priests build an altar: the base binding course is completed and an upper neck-like binding is being smoothed, washed, and polished to a spotless finish.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, warm earthy palette, priests and sthapatis around a square vedī, showing layered bandha courses and a distinct kaṇṭha moulding, emphasis on cleanliness with water vessels, sacred geometry lines faintly visible.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-highlighted altar edges and mouldings, priest with śaṅkha and kalaśa nearby, the kaṇṭha-bandhana rendered as a raised gilded band, rich textiles and ornamental borders.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, instructional clarity: labeled layers of vedī (bandha, kaṇṭha), artisans applying smooth plaster, neat linework, muted colors, minimal background architecture.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed workshop scene with measuring cords and tools, fine depiction of stone/brick texture, attendants cleaning the kaṇṭha-bandhana, architectural precision and perspective."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: paścād+vedibandham → paścādvedibandhaṃ; tad+ūrdhvam → tadūrdhvaṃ; kaṇṭha+upariṣṭāt → kaṇṭhopariṣṭāt.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 61 (Pūjā-vidhi: vedī/yantra installation sequence); Agni Purana sections on prāsāda/vedikā-lakṣaṇa (Vāstu/Shilpa portions)
FAQs
It gives procedural instructions for arranging/binding the ritual altar (vedi-bandha) and adding an upper fastening called kaṇṭha-bandhana, specifying placement (above) and required quality (clean and firm).
Beyond theology, it preserves precise, step-by-step technical ritual know-how—terminology and placement rules for altar components—showing the text’s coverage of practical liturgical engineering alongside doctrine.
By insisting on purity (vimala/amala) and correctness of construction, the verse emphasizes ritual integrity—proper, clean arrangements are treated as safeguards for efficacy and as means of maintaining sanctity in worship and yajña.