Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 5
Chapter 66: साधारणप्रतिष्ठाविधानम्
The Procedure for General Consecration
मासोपवासं द्वादश्यां इत्य् आदिस्थापनं वदे शिलां पूर्णघटं कांस्यं सम्भारं स्थापयेत्ततः
māsopavāsaṃ dvādaśyāṃ ity ādisthāpanaṃ vade śilāṃ pūrṇaghaṭaṃ kāṃsyaṃ sambhāraṃ sthāpayettataḥ
Je décrirai le rite préliminaire d’installation, commençant par : « le jeûne mensuel au jour de Dvādaśī ». Ensuite, on doit mettre en place une pierre (socle), un vase plein d’eau (pūrṇa-ghaṭa), un récipient de bronze (kāṃsya) et les matériaux rituels requis.
Lord Agni (in discourse to sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vrata","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Performing a Dvādaśī monthly fast with a preparatory installation of ritual supports (stone base, pūrṇa-ghaṭa, bronze vessel) and arranging materials for the rite.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Dvādaśī māsa-upavāsa: preliminary sthāpana with śilā, pūrṇa-ghaṭa, kāṁsya","lookup_keywords":["dvādaśī","māsa-upavāsa","pūrṇa-ghaṭa","kāṁsya-pātra","sthāpana"],"quick_summary":"For the monthly Dvādaśī fast, begin with a preparatory installation: set a stone base, place a full water-pot, arrange a bronze vessel, and lay out the required ritual implements."}
Concept: Discipline begins with correct preparation: external arrangement (sthāpana) supports internal restraint (upavāsa).
Application: Before vrata-japa/pūjā, prepare a clean, stable ritual space with proper vessels; treat the setup as part of the vow’s integrity.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Vrata and Upavasa procedures)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritual area being prepared for Dvādaśī: a stone base is set, a full water-pot (pūrṇa-ghaṭa) placed, a bronze vessel arranged, and other materials laid out neatly.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, orderly pūjā setup with stone base and pūrṇa-ghaṭa, bronze vessel gleaming, priest arranging items, floor patterns, muted temple colors","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, prominent pūrṇa-ghaṭa with gold accents, bronze vessel and ritual tray, priest preparing for Dvādaśī vrata, rich textiles and gold borders","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional still-life of ritual implements labeled by form, priest’s hands placing śilā and vessels, clean composition and fine detailing","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, meticulous depiction of vessels and materials on a carpeted platform, attendant arranging items for a fast-day rite, delicate shading and perspective"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: māsopavāsaṃ → māsa-upavāsam; ity ādi- → iti + ādi-; sthāpayettataḥ → sthāpayet + tataḥ.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 66.4 (mūla-mantra and ritual regulations); Agni Purana 66.6 (offerings/expiations)
FAQs
It specifies the core ‘sthāpana’ (setup) for a Dvādaśī-based monthly vow: establishing a stone base, a filled kalaśa (pūrṇaghaṭa), bronze vessel(s), and the required ritual paraphernalia before proceeding with worship.
Beyond theology, it preserves practical liturgical technology—how to physically arrange implements for a vrata—showing the Agni Purana’s catalog-like coverage of household and temple ritual procedure.
Correct preliminary installation is treated as a purifier and an enabler of the vow’s merit: it sanctifies the space, stabilizes the rite, and supports the intended फल (spiritual result) of the Dvādaśī upavāsa.