Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 9
Chapter 63 — सुदर्शनचक्रादिप्रतिष्ठाकथनं
Procedure for Consecrating the Sudarśana Discus and Other Divine Emblems
दर दर इति ख, ग, ङ, इति चिह्नितपुस्तकपाठः रक्ष रक्ष ॐ फट् इति ख, चिह्नितपुस्तकपाठः रक्ष रक्ष ह्रीं फडिति ग, चिह्नितपुस्तकपाठः हरिरूपा सुमिद्विदा इति ग, ङ, चिह्नितपुस्तकद्वयपाठः गौरीमिन्द्रादिकां लेप्यां चित्रजां च बलाबलां पुस्तकानां प्रतिष्ठां च वक्ष्ये लिखनतद्विधिं
dara dara iti kha, ga, ṅa, iti cihnitapustakapāṭhaḥ rakṣa rakṣa oṃ phaṭ iti kha, cihnitapustakapāṭhaḥ rakṣa rakṣa hrīṃ phaḍiti ga, cihnitapustakapāṭhaḥ harirūpā sumidvidā iti ga, ṅa, cihnitapustakadvayapāṭhaḥ gaurīmindrādikāṃ lepyāṃ citrajāṃ ca balābalāṃ pustakānāṃ pratiṣṭhāṃ ca vakṣye likhanatadvidhiṃ
Dans certains manuscrits marqués, la leçon est « dara dara » ; dans un autre manuscrit marqué, « rakṣa rakṣa, oṃ phaṭ » ; dans un autre, « rakṣa rakṣa, hrīṃ phaḍ » ; et dans deux manuscrits marqués, la leçon est « harirūpā sumidvidā ». À présent, j’exposerai les rites concernant Gaurī, l’onction/le badigeonnage (lepa) en rapport avec Indra et les autres divinités, la procédure peinte (diagrammatique), le rite relatif à la force et à la faiblesse, ainsi que la consécration (pratiṣṭhā) des livres, avec la méthode de leur rédaction.
Lord Agni (instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purāṇa’s encyclopedic ritual sections)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Mantra-protection and textual-ritual standardization for manuscript consecration: variant readings, protective utterances (rakṣa rakṣa, oṃ phaṭ / hrīṃ phaḍ), and procedures for lepa, painted diagrams, and book-pratiṣṭhā with writing method.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Pustaka-pratiṣṭhā: Mantra-variants, rakṣā-phrases, lepa, citra-vidhi, and lekhana-krama","lookup_keywords":["pustaka-pratiṣṭhā","rakṣa rakṣa","oṃ phaṭ","hrīṃ phaḍ","lekhana-vidhi"],"quick_summary":"Records variant manuscript readings of protective mantras and announces a systematic procedure for book consecration, including anointing (lepa), diagrammatic painting, assessment of strength/weakness, and the method of writing."}
Concept: Śabda (mantra/text) is safeguarded and empowered through ritual seals; correct transmission acknowledges variant readings while preserving function (rakṣā).
Application: For scribes and priests: choose the received mantra-reading, apply protective utterances, and perform book-pratiṣṭhā before study/recitation.
Khanda Section: Pustaka-pratiṣṭhā & Lekhana-vidhi (Mantra-protection and consecration of manuscripts; allied to Puja-vidhi/Tantric-prayoga)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A scribe-priest consecrates manuscripts marked with different readings; he recites ‘rakṣa rakṣa’ with oṃ phaṭ / hrīṃ phaḍ, prepares lepa (anointing paste), paints protective diagrams, and performs pustaka-pratiṣṭhā before writing.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural of a palm-leaf manuscript desk: priest-scribe chanting rakṣā-mantras; manuscripts with visible marginal marks; bowls of lepa; painted yantra-like motifs; Gaurī and Indra as small invoked deities in the background; bold outlines, ritual ambience.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting of a consecrated manuscript on a pedestal with gold border; priest applying lepa and holding stylus; mantra syllables ‘oṃ’, ‘hrīṃ’, ‘phaṭ’ stylized; Gaurī blessing; rich gold work and lamps.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style instructional scene: stepwise panels—(1) compare variant readings, (2) recite rakṣa rakṣa oṃ phaṭ / hrīṃ phaḍ, (3) apply lepa, (4) paint diagram, (5) perform book-pratiṣṭhā, (6) begin writing; clean labels and fine lines.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature of a library atelier: scholars examine manuscripts with different readings; a priest recites protective mantra; pigments and paste prepared; a painted diagram on folio; detailed textiles, shelves, and writing tools."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":null,"pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: phaḍiti = phaḍ iti; harirūpā sumidvidā: transmitted as a variant reading; gaurīmindrādikāṃ = gaurīm indrādikām; balābalāṃ = bala-abalām; likhanatadvidhiṃ = likhana-tad-vidhim.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 63 (pustaka-pratiṣṭhā & lekhana-vidhi section)
FAQs
It records protective mantra-variants used for safeguarding a manuscript and introduces the upcoming rules for writing (lekhana-vidhi) and consecrating (pustaka-pratiṣṭhā) books, including anointing (lepa) and diagrammatic/painted ritual elements (citrajā).
Beyond theology, it preserves practical archival-ritual knowledge: how texts are protected, written, and ritually installed, while also noting manuscript variant readings—showing the Purāṇa’s coverage of both ritual technology and textual transmission.
Protective mantras and consecration frame a manuscript as a sacred vessel of dharma-knowledge; ritually guarding and installing it is treated as a meritorious act that removes obstacles and preserves spiritual teaching for future recitation and study.