Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 12
Chapter 62 — Lakṣmīpratiṣṭhāvidhiḥ
The Procedure for Installing Lakṣmī
मन्त्रेण पिण्डिकां कृत्वा प्रतिष्ठानं ततः श्रियः श्रीसूक्तेन च सान्निध्यं पूर्ववत् प्रत्यृचं जपेत्
mantreṇa piṇḍikāṃ kṛtvā pratiṣṭhānaṃ tataḥ śriyaḥ śrīsūktena ca sānnidhyaṃ pūrvavat pratyṛcaṃ japet
Après avoir façonné une piṇḍikā, petit amas rituel, au moyen du mantra prescrit, on doit ensuite accomplir la pratiṣṭhā, l’installation de Śrī (Lakṣmī). Puis, afin d’invoquer sa présence, on doit réciter le «Śrī-sūkta», en faisant le japa de chaque ṛc (strophe) séparément, comme il a été enseigné auparavant.
Lord Agni (in discourse to sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Lakṣmī-pratiṣṭhā and japa: create a ritual piṇḍikā with the prescribed mantra, install Śrī, then invoke presence by reciting the Śrī-sūkta ṛk-by-ṛk (pratyṛc) as earlier instructed.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Piṇḍikā-karaṇa, Śrī-pratiṣṭhā, and pratyṛc-japa of Śrī-sūkta","lookup_keywords":["piṇḍikā","śrī pratiṣṭhā","pratyṛc japa","śrī-sūkta recitation","sannidhyāhvāna"],"quick_summary":"Form the piṇḍikā as the ritual support, perform Lakṣmī’s installation, then chant the Śrī-sūkta verse-by-verse to establish and stabilize her presence in the installed locus."}
Concept: Pratiṣṭhā requires an ādhāra (support) and a niyata-śabda-krama (disciplined mantra sequence); pratyṛc-japa treats each ṛk as a complete unit of invocation.
Application: For stable installation, avoid rushed collective chanting; recite each ṛk distinctly with consistent nyāsa/bhāva, using the piṇḍikā as a focused locus for presence.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Śrī/Lakṣmī-pratiṣṭhā & mantra-japa procedure)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A small piṇḍikā is formed on a ritual plate; Lakṣmī’s installation is performed; the practitioner then chants the Śrī-sūkta carefully, marking each ṛk as a separate recitation unit to draw presence into the support.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, close-up ritual scene with piṇḍikā on a plate, priest performing installation gestures, subtle radiance indicating sannidhya, traditional palette and calm symmetry","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, Lakṣmī’s auspicious presence above the piṇḍikā with gold halo, priest chanting from manuscript, gold detailing on plate and ornaments, prosperity motifs (lotus, coins)","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional focus on the piṇḍikā formation and sequential ṛk-by-ṛk chanting, clean composition, fine lines, gentle colors","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, intimate ritual corner with low altar, piṇḍikā and vessels, priest reciting from a text, attendants observing, delicate detailing and subdued tones"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Madhyamavati","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: प्रत्यृचं → प्रति + ऋचम् (i + ṛ sandhi → yṛ).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 62 (pūrvavat: earlier japa/nyāsa rules; Śrī upāsanā sequence)
FAQs
It teaches a specific Śrī-pratiṣṭhā sequence: create a symbolic piṇḍikā with mantra, perform Lakṣmī’s installation, then invoke her presence by reciting the Śrīsūkta verse-by-verse (pratyṛca) as per the earlier japa protocol.
It functions as a practical ritual handbook section—codifying consecration steps, mantra-usage, and Vedic hymn deployment—showing how the Agni Purana preserves procedural liturgy alongside its many other knowledge domains.
By establishing Śrī and invoking her sānnidhya through Śrīsūkta-japa, the rite is aimed at sanctification of the space and the accrual of auspiciousness—prosperity, stability, and ritual purity—through properly performed consecration and mantra-recitation.