Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 3
Chapter 62 — Lakṣmīpratiṣṭhāvidhiḥ
The Procedure for Installing Lakṣmī
घृतेनाभ्यज्य मूलेन स्नपयेत् पञ्चगव्यकैः हिरण्यवर्णा हरिणी नेत्रे चोन्मीलयेच्छ्रियाः
ghṛtenābhyajya mūlena snapayet pañcagavyakaiḥ hiraṇyavarṇā hariṇī netre conmīlayecchriyāḥ
Après avoir oint la base (la partie racinaire) de ghee, on doit la baigner avec les cinq produits de la vache (pañcagavya). Ensuite, pour la prospérité (Śrī), on accomplira le rite de « l’ouverture des yeux » (netronmīlana), en invoquant ou en visualisant la biche (hariṇī) à la teinte d’or.
Lord Agni (in instruction to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Puja-vidhi","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Pratiṣṭhā/abhiṣeka sequence: anointing the pedestal/root, pañcagavya-snāna, then netronmīlana to ritually ‘animate’ the icon for śrī (auspicious prosperity).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Pañcagavya-snāna and Netronmīlana in Pratiṣṭhā","lookup_keywords":["ghṛta-abhyanga","pañcagavya-snāna","netronmīlana","śrī-prayoga","pratiṣṭhā"],"quick_summary":"After ghee-anointing the base, bathe with pañcagavya and perform netronmīlana to establish auspicious presence and prosperity in the consecrated form."}
Dosha: Tridosha
Concept: External purification and symbolic ‘animation’ (netronmīlana) as a means to invite śrī and establish sacred presence.
Application: Follow ordered ritual steps (abhyanga → snāna → netronmīlana) to complete consecration without omissions.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Ritual Procedures and Auspicious Rites)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: śānta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A priest anoints the pedestal of a deity-image with ghee, bathes it with pañcagavya, then delicately performs netronmīlana—painting/opening the eyes—invoking golden-hued auspiciousness (Śrī).","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, warm earthy palette, priest in white mundu performing pañcagavya abhiṣeka on a stone mūrti, close-up of netronmīlana with fine brush, aura of Śrī as golden radiance, traditional lamp-lit sanctum.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, deity icon on pedestal, thick gold leaf highlights around the eyes and halo, priest performing netronmīlana, pañcagavya vessels arranged symmetrically, rich reds and greens, ornate arch frame.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, clean linework, instructional composition showing three steps (ghee anointing, pañcagavya bath, eye-opening), labeled ritual vessels, soft shading and delicate ornament.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed ritual courtyard, attendants holding pañcagavya bowls, priest opening the eyes of the icon with a fine brush, subtle gold accents, architectural borders and floral margins."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: घृतेनाभ्यज्य = घृतेन + अभ्यज्य; चोन्मीलयेत् = च + उन्मीलयेत्; उन्मीलयेच्छ्रियाः = उन्मीलयेत् + श्रियाः (त् + श् → च्छ्)
Related Themes: Agni Purāṇa: Pratiṣṭhā/abhiṣeka and pūjā-vidhi sections around this khanda; Agni Purāṇa: mūrti-lakṣaṇa and temple-rite chapters (where netronmīlana and prāṇa-pratiṣṭhā are detailed)
FAQs
It prescribes a consecratory sequence: anointing the base with ghee, ritual bathing with pañcagavya, and performing netronmīlana (ceremonial ‘opening of the eyes’) to invoke auspicious vitality and Śrī (prosperity) into the sacred object/image.
Alongside theology and myth, the Agni Purana catalogues practical liturgical technology—specific substances (ghee, pañcagavya), procedural steps (lustration, eye-opening), and intended results (śrī/auspiciousness), functioning like a ritual manual embedded within a Purāṇic compendium.
The rite signifies purification and enlivenment: pañcagavya removes ritual impurity, and netronmīlana marks the moment the sacred presence is invited to ‘see’ and bless, generating auspicious merit and prosperity for the patron and the space.