Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 5
Chapter 70 — वृक्षादिप्रतिष्ठाकथनम्
Consecration of Trees and Related Objects
ऋग्यजुःसाममन्त्रैश् च वारुणैर् मङ्गलै रवैः वृक्षवेदिककुम्भकैश् च स्नपनं द्विजपुङ्गवाः
ṛgyajuḥsāmamantraiś ca vāruṇair maṅgalai ravaiḥ vṛkṣavedikakumbhakaiś ca snapanaṃ dvijapuṅgavāḥ
Ô le meilleur des deux-fois-nés, le bain de consécration (snāpana) doit être accompli avec des mantras des Veda Ṛg, Yajur et Sāma, avec des mantras de Varuṇa, avec des sons de bon augure, et avec des jarres d’eau (kumbha) disposées sur une estrade/autel de bois (vedikā).
Lord Agni
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Puja-vidhi (Snāpana/Abhiṣeka)","practical_application":"Perform snāpana (consecratory bathing) using Ṛg/Yajus/Sāman mantras, Varuṇa mantras, auspicious instrumental/vocal sounds, and multiple kumbhas arranged on a wooden/altar platform—standard protocol for sanctifying the installed object.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Snāpana with Vedic & Varuṇa Mantras, Maṅgala-rava, and Vedikā-Kumbhas","lookup_keywords":["snāpana","ṛg-yajuḥ-sāma","vāruṇa-mantra","maṅgala-rava","vedikā-kumbha"],"quick_summary":"Consecratory bathing is done by combining Vedic recitation (Ṛg/Yajur/Sāma), Varuṇa-focused purification mantras, auspicious sounds, and water from kumbhas placed on a vedikā to complete ritual sanctification."}
Concept: Sound (mantra, maṅgala-rava) and water (snāpana) together effect saṃskāra—purifying, stabilizing, and ‘seating’ sacred presence in the consecrated support.
Application: In ritual practice, coordinate recitation, music/auspicious sounds, and systematic water-pot arrangement to maintain rhythm, purity, and completeness of abhiṣeka/snāpana.
Khanda Section: Pūjā-vidhi (Ritual Purification and Consecration Rites)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A wooden/altar platform (vedikā) holding multiple water pots; priests chant Ṛg/Yajus/Sāman and Varuṇa mantras while pouring water in snāpana; musicians or attendants create auspicious sounds (conch, drums, bells).","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, symmetrical vedikā with rows of kumbhas, priests chanting, conch and drum players producing maṅgala-rava, flowing water rendered in stylized curves, temple interior palette.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-highlighted kumbhas and ornaments, priest performing snāpana with shimmering water streams, conch and bell in attendants’ hands, rich temple backdrop with gold work.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, technical clarity: vedikā layout with kumbhas, priest pouring water, another reciting from Vedic text, musicians with conch and mṛdaṅga, fine detailing and soft colors.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly ritual scene with multiple pots on a platform, priests chanting, attendants with instruments, delicate depiction of water pouring, architectural arches and patterned carpets."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ṛgyajuḥsāmamantraiś → ṛg-yajuḥ-sāma-mantraiḥ; vāruṇair → vāruṇaiḥ; maṅgalai ravaiḥ → maṅgalaiḥ + ravaiḥ; vṛkṣavedikakumbhkaiś → vṛkṣa-vedikā-kumbhakaiḥ.
Related Themes: Agni Purana: abhiṣeka/snāpana procedures; kumbha-sthāpana; mantra-nyāsa and pūjā-upacāra sequences in related chapters
FAQs
It prescribes the snāpana (consecratory bathing/ablution) procedure using tri-vedic mantras (Ṛg–Yajur–Sāma), Varuṇa-related purification mantras, auspicious acclamations, and kumbhas arranged on a wooden vedikā.
By documenting a precise, implement-based ritual protocol (mantra sources, deity-association with Varuṇa, sound-rites, and ritual apparatus like kumbha and vedikā), it shows the text functioning as a practical manual of temple and domestic liturgy alongside its many other disciplines.
Snāpana with Vedic and Varuṇa mantras is framed as a purification-and-consecration act: it ritually removes impurity, establishes auspiciousness (maṅgala), and sanctifies the rite/recipient, supporting merit (puṇya) and ritual fitness (adhikāra).