Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 16
Chapter 61 — द्वारप्रतिष्ठाध्वजारोहाणादिविधिः
Gateway Installation, Flag Hoisting, and Allied Rites
ः तत्त्वभूतमिति घ, ङ, चिह्नितपुस्तकपाठः तदूर्ध्वं चूर्णकं कुर्यादिति ग, ङ, चिह्नितपुस्तकपाठः तदूर्ध्वं चुल्वकं कुर्यादिति ख, घ, चिह्नितपुस्तकद्वयपाठः अष्टौ वेद्येश्वरास्त्वज इति ग, घ, ङ, चिह्नितपुस्तकत्रयपाठः चत्वारो वा चतुर्दिक्षु स्थापनीया गरुत्मतः ध्वजारोहं च वक्ष्यामि येन भूतादि नश्यति
ḥ tattvabhūtamiti gha, ṅa, cihnitapustakapāṭhaḥ tadūrdhvaṃ cūrṇakaṃ kuryāditi ga, ṅa, cihnitapustakapāṭhaḥ tadūrdhvaṃ culvakaṃ kuryāditi kha, gha, cihnitapustakadvayapāṭhaḥ aṣṭau vedyeśvarāstvaja iti ga, gha, ṅa, cihnitapustakatrayapāṭhaḥ catvāro vā caturdikṣu sthāpanīyā garutmataḥ dhvajārohaṃ ca vakṣyāmi yena bhūtādi naśyati
La leçon « tattvabhūtam » se trouve dans les manuscrits marqués (gha, ṅa). Au-dessus, « on doit faire un cūrṇaka » : ainsi lisent les manuscrits marqués (ga, ṅa). Plus haut, « on doit faire un culvaka » : ainsi lisent deux manuscrits (kha, gha). La leçon « aṣṭau vedyeśvarāḥ » se trouve dans trois manuscrits marqués (ga, gha, ṅa). On installera, aux quatre directions, soit huit soit quatre emblèmes de Garuḍa. À présent, je décrirai l’élévation de l’étendard (dhvaja), par laquelle les esprits et autres êtres semblables sont détruits.
Lord Agni (teaching the ritual procedure in the Agni Purana)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Text-critical ritual instruction for altar superstructure and dhvaja-vidhi: variant readings guide construction elements (cūrṇaka/culvaka) and the installation of Garuḍa emblems in directions; banner-raising as a protective rite to dispel bhūtas.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Dhvaja-vidhi variants: Cūrṇaka/Culvaka and directional Garuḍa emblems","lookup_keywords":["dhvaja-vidhi","cūrṇaka","culvaka","vedyeśvara","garuḍa cihna"],"quick_summary":"Manuscript variants are noted for specific construction terms; the rite prescribes directional installation of Garuḍa emblems (four or eight) and introduces banner-raising as an apotropaic act that destroys spirits and disturbances."}
Concept: Ritual efficacy depends on correct transmission (pāṭha-bheda awareness) and proper protective measures (dik-rakṣā, dhvaja) to remove unseen obstacles (bhūta-ādi).
Application: When performing temple rites, consult reliable recensions; implement directional emblems and dhvaja-raising as standardized protection against disturbances.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Dhvaja-vidhi (Temple ritual: banner-raising and protective rites)
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A temple ritual scene with scribes/priests consulting manuscripts while artisans prepare upper altar elements; Garuḍa emblems are placed in the directions; a tall banner is about to be raised to ward off spirits.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, temple courtyard with dhvaja-stambha, priests holding palm-leaf manuscripts, directional Garuḍa symbols at four/eight points, dramatic depiction of dark spirit-forms dissolving at the banner’s rise.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, ornate dhvaja with gold foil, Garuḍa medallions in four directions, priests in rich garments, manuscript bundle shown, protective aura around the banner.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, semi-diagrammatic: show four directions with Garuḍa emblems, dhvaja raising sequence, small inset of manuscript variants (ga/gha/ṅa/kha) as labels, clean instructional layout.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, festival-like banner raising in a temple complex, scholars comparing manuscripts, attendants placing Garuḍa standards, faint smoky spirits dispersing, fine architectural detail."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: This item contains extensive manuscript-variant notes; analyzed the main readable pāda: catvāro vā caturdikṣu sthāpanīyā garutmataḥ dhvajārohaṃ ca vakṣyāmi yena bhūtādi naśyati. dhvaja+āroham → dhvajārohaṃ; bhūta+ādi → bhūtādi.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 61 (dhvaja-vidhi continuation; rakṣā-vidhāna); Agni Purana ritual chapters noting dik-bandhana and bhūta-nivāraṇa
FAQs
It gives a procedural instruction within dhvaja-vidhi: install Garuḍa emblems/markers in the directions (either eight or four) and introduces the method of hoisting the temple banner as an apotropaic (protective) act.
Alongside ritual directions, it preserves manuscript variant readings (pāṭhabheda) and technical vocabulary for temple components, showing the text’s dual role as both a ritual manual and a compendium transmitting specialized terminology.
The banner-raising and directional Garuḍa placement are framed as protective rites that remove/repel bhūtas and harmful influences, supporting purity and auspiciousness for worship and the temple space.