Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 5
Chapter 69 — स्नानविधानम्
Rules for Ritual Bathing / Snapanotsava-vidhi
शालिचूर्णादिनापूर्य पूर्वादिनवकेषु च कुम्भमुद्रां ततो बध्वा घटं तत्रानयेद् बुधः
śālicūrṇādināpūrya pūrvādinavakeṣu ca kumbhamudrāṃ tato badhvā ghaṭaṃ tatrānayed budhaḥ
Après avoir rempli (les réceptacles prescrits) de farine de riz et autres substances, dans les neuf emplacements à partir de l’est, le pratiquant avisé doit former la mudrā du Kumbha, puis y apporter le vase rituel (ghaṭa/kalaśa) à sa place assignée.
Lord Agni (in instruction to the sage Vasiṣṭha, as per the common Agni Purana dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Vastu","practical_application":"Kalasha-sthapana preparation: filling nine directional stations with rice-flour etc., performing kumbha-mudra, and installing/bringing the ritual pot to its correct locus.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Navaka-purana with shali-curna and kumbha-mudra for ghata-sthapana","lookup_keywords":["navaka","shali-curna","kumbha-mudra","kalasha","puja-vidhi"],"quick_summary":"Prepare the nine positions (starting from the east) with rice-flour and related substances, then seal the act with kumbha-mudra and place/bring the kalasha to its appointed spot."}
Concept: Nyasa and mudra as embodied intention: correct placement and gesture ‘seal’ the rite.
Application: Follow directional sequencing and mudra discipline to avoid ritual error (kriya-bhramsha).
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Ritual procedure; kumbha/kalasha-sthapana and mudra-nyasa)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Nine marked stations around a mandala are being filled with rice-flour; the officiant forms kumbha-mudra with hands while an assistant carries a decorated kalasha toward the center/east-marked place.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, bold outlines, priest demonstrating kumbha-mudra, nine stations with white rice-flour heaps, kalasha with coconut and leaves, ritual lamps nearby","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, gold-highlighted kalasha and ornaments, nine directional heaps, priest hands in mudra, rich textile patterns and temple border motifs","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear instructional depiction of nine positions (east-first), neat heaps of shali-curna, precise hand-gesture kumbha-mudra, calm palette","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed floor plan with nine placements, attendants with trays of rice-flour, priest forming mudra, ornate pot carried in, architectural niche backdrop"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"focused","suggested_raga":"Shuddha Sarang","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: शालिचूर्णादिनापूर्य = शालिचूर्णादिना + आपूर्य; तत्रानयेत् = तत्र + आनयेत्।
Related Themes: Agni Purana 69 (puja-vidhi: kalasha/kumbha procedures)
FAQs
It teaches a concrete step in kumbha/kalasha-sthāpana: filling prescribed directional placements with rice-flour etc., then performing the kumbha-mudrā and ceremonially bringing the ritual pot to its proper location.
Beyond mythology, the Agni Purana preserves procedural ritual technology—directional layouts, required substances, and mudrā-practice—functioning like a compact manual for temple and domestic worship.
Correct placement and mudrā-based handling of the kalasha is treated as a means of ritual purification and orderly invocation of sacred presence, supporting merit (puṇya) through accurate, disciplined worship.