Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 2
Chapter 62 — Lakṣmīpratiṣṭhāvidhiḥ
The Procedure for Installing Lakṣmī
पूर्ववत् सकलं कुर्यान्मण्डपस्नपनादिकं भद्रपीठे श्रियं न्यस्य स्थापयेदष्ट वै घटान्
pūrvavat sakalaṃ kuryānmaṇḍapasnapanādikaṃ bhadrapīṭhe śriyaṃ nyasya sthāpayedaṣṭa vai ghaṭān
Comme il a été prescrit auparavant, on doit accomplir l’ensemble de la séquence—à commencer par les rites du maṇḍapa et le snāpana (ablution) et les actes connexes. Après avoir installé Śrī sur le bhadrapīṭha (siège propice), on doit mettre en place huit kalaśa, vases rituels d’eau.
Lord Agni (instructional narration in the Agni Purana’s ritual sections)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vrata","secondary_vidya":"Vastu","practical_application":"Operational checklist for pratiṣṭhā: perform prior mandapa and snāna sequences, seat Lakṣmī on the bhadrapīṭha, and establish eight kalaśas for the rite—useful for temple consecration planning and layout.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Mandapa–Snāna–Bhadrapīṭha–Aṣṭa-kalaśa Sthāpana (Lakṣmī-pratiṣṭhā)","lookup_keywords":["maṇḍapa","snāna-vidhi","bhadrapīṭha","aṣṭa-kalaśa","lakṣmī-nyāsa"],"quick_summary":"Repeat the standard preparatory sequence (pavilion rites and ablutions), install Lakṣmī on the auspicious seat, then set up eight consecration pots as the ritual supports for invocation and sanctification."}
Concept: Pratiṣṭhā depends on saṃskāra (purification) and ādhāra (supports): mandapa and snāna purify; bhadrapīṭha and kalaśas stabilize presence and blessing.
Application: For a real installation: prepare mandapa layout, schedule snāna/abhiṣeka steps, procure and place eight kalaśas (water, leaves, coconut, threads as per local paddhati), and ensure a stable bhadrapīṭha for the deity.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Temple Rituals (Mandapa, Snana, Kalasha-sthapana)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: Tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A consecration pavilion (maṇḍapa) is prepared; Lakṣmī is placed on an auspicious bhadrapīṭha at the center, while eight kalaśas are arranged symmetrically around, ready for abhiṣeka and invocation.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, symmetrical mandapa interior, central bhadrapīṭha with Lakṣmī symbolized by lotus, eight decorated kalaśas with mango leaves and coconuts, priests arranging items, oil lamps and floral garlands","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, gold-leaf emphasis on kalaśa rims and bhadrapīṭha ornaments, Lakṣmī seated on lotus pedestal, rich temple textiles, precise eight-pot arrangement in a mandapa with pillars","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, diagrammatic clarity: top-down or three-quarter view showing eight kalaśas around the central seat, priests performing snāna preparations, clean lines and gentle colors for instructional use","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed mandapa architecture, attendants placing eight ornate pots, central pedestal with Lakṣmī icon, fine patterns on cloth and floor, balanced composition"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Malkauns","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: kuryānmaṇḍapasnapanādikaṃ = kuryāt + maṇḍapa-snapana-ādikam; sthāpayedaṣṭa = sthāpayet + aṣṭa.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 62 (Lakṣmī-pratiṣṭhā steps continuing beyond this setup); Agni Purana 61 (‘pūrvavat’ indicates reliance on earlier general pūjā sequences)
FAQs
It gives a procedural instruction for pūjā: repeat the earlier mandapa and snāpana preliminaries, perform Śrī-nyāsa on the bhadrapīṭha, and establish eight kalaśas (ritual pots) as part of consecration.
By preserving step-by-step liturgical engineering—mandapa preparation, ceremonial bathing, deity-installation (nyāsa), and multi-kalaśa setup—it documents practical temple-ritual technology alongside the Purana’s many other knowledge domains.
Installing Śrī and arranging the kalaśas formalizes auspiciousness and ritual purity, aiming to make the worship efficacious and merit-producing through correct consecration and orderly preliminaries.