Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 44
Chapter 61 — द्वारप्रतिष्ठाध्वजारोहाणादिविधिः
Gateway Installation, Flag Hoisting, and Allied Rites
पारदेन तु सम्प्लाव्य नेत्रपट्टेन च्छादयेत् ततो निवेशयेच्चक्रं तन्मध्ये नृहरिं स्मरेत्
pāradena tu samplāvya netrapaṭṭena cchādayet tato niveśayeccakraṃ tanmadhye nṛhariṃ smaret
Après avoir entièrement lavé (l’objet ou l’espace préparé) avec du mercure, on le couvre d’un bandeau/linge pour les yeux; puis on place le cakra protecteur et, en son centre, on médite sur Nṛhari (Narasimha).
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Protective rite (rakṣā) using purification with mercury, veiling/covering (netra-paṭṭa), cakra placement, and Nṛsiṃha-dhyāna at the center.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Pārada-samplāvana and Nṛsiṃha-cakra dhyāna","lookup_keywords":["pārada","netra-paṭṭa","nṛsiṃha-cakra","rakṣā","dhyāna"],"quick_summary":"Purify by washing with mercury, cover with a protective cloth, install the cakra, and meditate on Nṛhari in its center to activate protection."}
Concept: Protection is effected by (1) śodhana (purification), (2) āvaraṇa (covering/sealing), and (3) dhyāna on the deity as the central consciousness within the yantra.
Application: Perform sequential sealing of the ritual object/space and maintain single-pointed Nṛsiṃha visualization at the cakra’s center.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Tantra-mantra (Nṛsiṁha-cakra / protective rite)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: bhayānaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A priest washes a ritual plate/space with mercury, covers it with a cloth, then places a cakra and meditates on Narasiṃha visualized at its center.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, dramatic Narasiṃha aura emerging subtly from the cakra’s center, priest covering with netra-cloth, ritual vessels, warm lamp glow, bold outlines","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, central golden cakra with embossed gold, Narasiṃha in miniature medallion at center, priest’s hands placing cloth, rich ornamentation and gemstones","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear depiction of steps: washing with mercury, covering, placing cakra, seated meditation posture, soft palette and precise detailing","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, meticulous depiction of mercury washing in a small bowl, fine textile cloth covering, cakra placed, contemplative figure with haloed Narasiṃha vision at center"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: निवेशयेच्चक्रं = निवेशयेत् + चक्रम्; तन्मध्ये = तत् + मध्ये; (cchādayet is written with initial ch- after sandhi: च्छादयेत्).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 61 (Nṛsiṃha-cakra context; netra/covering motif; cakra installation)
FAQs
It gives a step-by-step protective procedure: cleanse using pārada (mercury), cover with a netra-paṭṭa (ocular cloth), establish a cakra (protective device/diagram), and perform deity-centered smaraṇa (meditation) on Nṛhari (Narasimha).
It exemplifies the text’s practical ritual technology—combining material procedures (pārada cleansing), ritual implements (cakra), and contemplative practice (Nṛhari-dhyāna)—showing how the Purāṇa integrates mantra-tantra methods alongside broader religious instruction.
By establishing a protective cakra and meditating on Narasiṃha, the rite is framed as removing obstacles and guarding the practitioner—linking physical ritual acts with inner recollection of the deity for purification and protection.