Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 1
Jīrṇoddhāra-vidhāna
Procedure for Renovation / Replacement of Dilapidated Installations
इत्य् आदिमहापुराणे आग्नेये समुदायप्रतिष्ठाकथनं नाम षट्षष्टितमो ऽध्यायः अथ सप्तषष्टितमो ऽध्यायः जीर्णोद्धारविधानं भगवानुवाच जीर्णाद्धारविधिं वक्ष्ये भूषितां स्नपयेद्गुरुः अचलां विन्यसेद्गेहे अतिजीर्णां परित्यजेत्
ity ādimahāpurāṇe āgneye samudāyapratiṣṭhākathanaṃ nāma ṣaṭṣaṣṭitamo 'dhyāyaḥ atha saptaṣaṣṭitamo 'dhyāyaḥ jīrṇoddhāravidhānaṃ bhagavānuvāca jīrṇāddhāravidhiṃ vakṣye bhūṣitāṃ snapayedguruḥ acalāṃ vinyasedgehe atijīrṇāṃ parityajet
Ainsi, dans l’Agni Purāṇa —le Mahāpurāṇa primordial— s’achève le soixante-sixième chapitre, intitulé « Exposé de la consécration collective (Samudāya-pratiṣṭhā) ». Commence maintenant le soixante-septième chapitre : « Procédure de rénovation (Jīrṇoddhāra) ». Le Seigneur Bienheureux dit : « J’enseignerai la méthode de la rénovation. Le précepteur officiant doit baigner (l’image) après l’avoir dûment parée ; il doit installer dans la maison/temple l’image immobile (fixe) ; mais une image trop dégradée doit être rejetée (et remplacée). »
Bhagavān (Lord Agni as narrator of the Agni Purana)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Shilpa","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Temple management and conservation: assess image condition, perform bathing after adornment, relocate/install a fixed image appropriately, and replace images that are beyond repair during renovation (jīrṇoddhāra).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Jīrṇoddhāra-vidhi: Snāna, Sthāpanā, and Replacement of Decayed Images","lookup_keywords":["jīrṇoddhāra","snāpana","guru","acala-mūrti","pratiṣṭhā"],"quick_summary":"In renovation, the officiating guru bathes the adorned image, installs the fixed/immovable image properly within the temple/house, and discards an excessively decayed image—prioritizing ritual continuity and material integrity."}
Concept: Sacred presence is maintained through correct ritual handling and responsible replacement; dharma includes stewardship of sacred art and spaces.
Application: Adopt conservation ethics in temple administration: document condition, perform prescribed rites during restoration, and replace irreparably damaged icons with proper procedures.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi & Pratishtha (Temple ritual, consecration, and renovation rites)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A temple renovation scene: the guru-priest bathes an adorned deity image with water and vessels; artisans stabilize the sanctum; a fixed image is installed; a severely damaged old image is respectfully removed for replacement.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, sanctum interior with priest performing snāpana over decorated mūrti, assistants holding kalashas, craftsmen repairing temple wall, respectful removal of cracked image, rich reds/ochres and traditional ornament","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central deity image with gold embellishment, priest pouring consecrated water, ornate temple arch, secondary vignette showing replacement of decayed icon, heavy gold borders and sacred glow","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clear step-by-step depiction: adornment, bathing, installation of acala-mūrti, and removal of atijīrṇa image; fine lines, calm instructional composition","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed temple workshop atmosphere, priests and artisans collaborating, realistic vessels and textiles, careful handling of icons, architectural detail of sanctum and scaffolding"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Hamsadhwani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: इत्य् = इति + (य्-आदेशः before vowel); षट्षष्टितमो ऽध्यायः = षट्षष्टितमः + अध्यायः; सप्ता… similarly; भगवानुवाच = भगवान् + उवाच; स्नपयेद्गुरुः = स्नपयेत् + गुरुः; विन्यसेद्गेहे = विन्यसेत् + गेहे.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 66 (Samudāya-pratiṣṭhā); Agni Purana 67 (Jīrṇoddhāra-vidhi continuation)
FAQs
It outlines jīrṇoddhāra—ritual protocol for dealing with old/worn icons: adorn and perform snāna (ritual bathing), reinstall fixed icons appropriately, and discard icons that are too deteriorated for continued worship.
Beyond theology, it preserves practical temple-management knowledge—standards for restoration, reinstallation, and replacement—showing the Purāṇa’s coverage of applied ritual science (pratiṣṭhā, maintenance, and purity rules).
Proper renovation and handling of sacred images maintains ritual purity and continuity of worship; discarding an excessively decayed icon prevents improper or disrespectful worship and supports dharmic maintenance of a consecrated space.