Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 4
Chapter 78 — पवित्रारोहणकथनं
Pavitrārohaṇa: Installing the Sanctifying Thread/Garland
दुर्गायमेन्द्रगोविन्दस्मरशम्भुसुधाभुजां सौवर्णं राजतं ताम्रं कृतादिषु यथाक्रमं
durgāyamendragovindasmaraśambhusudhābhujāṃ sauvarṇaṃ rājataṃ tāmraṃ kṛtādiṣu yathākramaṃ
Pour Durgā—et pour Indra, Govinda (Viṣṇu), Smara (Kāma), Śambhu (Śiva) et Sudhābhuj (celui qui participe au nectar, c’est-à-dire une forme divine)—leurs images doivent être façonnées d’or, d’argent et de cuivre, respectivement, au Kṛta-yuga puis dans les yuga suivants, selon l’ordre prescrit.
Lord Agni (in dialogue with Sage Vasiṣṭha, the usual frame of the Agni Purāṇa)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Shilpa","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Select appropriate metals for deity images in consecration and replacement cycles, aligning material choice with yuga-based prescriptions used in temple policy and icon-making.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Yuga-wise metal prescriptions for select devatā mūrtis","lookup_keywords":["mūrti dhātu","suvarṇa rājata tāmra","yuga krta","durgā indra govinda","śambhu smara"],"quick_summary":"The verse prescribes image materials—gold, silver, copper—in yuga sequence for Durgā and other named deities, functioning as a rule-of-thumb for icon metallurgy in ritual contexts."}
Concept: Sacred form is supported by correct material causes (upādāna) and time-appropriateness (yuga-dharma) in ritual art.
Application: When commissioning icons, document dhātu choice as part of pratiṣṭhā compliance and long-term maintenance planning.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Devatā-pratiṣṭhā and icon/metal prescriptions)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"An icon-maker presents three shining metal samples—gold, silver, copper—before sketches of Durgā, Indra, Viṣṇu, Kāma, Śiva; a priest indicates yuga-order selection for consecration.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, workshop near temple, artisan with casting tools, three metal ingots glowing, deity outlines on palm-leaf drawings, priest gesturing to the correct metal, bold colors and stylized faces.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central Durgā icon with gold brilliance, side panels showing silver and copper icons, ornate arch and gold foil emphasis, rich temple décor.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, technical atelier scene with molds, chisels, and labeled metal plates (suvarṇa/rājata/tāmra), calm instructional composition, fine linework and soft shading.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, artisan’s studio with metalworkers, trays of gold/silver/copper, courtly patron and priest consulting, intricate tool depiction and patterned floor."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shankara","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: दुर्गायमेन्द्र...→दुर्गायाः मेन्द्रगोविन्द... (genitive coordination); यथाक्रमं→यथा-क्रमम् (avyayībhāva). 'mendra' taken as sandhi/orthographic variant for 'indra' in compound.
Related Themes: Agni Purana (pratiṣṭhā and mūrti-lakṣaṇa sections in the pūjā-vidhi/shilpa corpus)
FAQs
It gives a pratimā-nirmāṇa (image-making) rule: specific metals—gold, silver, and copper—are prescribed in sequence for Kṛta and subsequent yugas for images of Durgā and major deities (Indra, Viṣṇu, Kāma, Śiva, etc.).
It exemplifies the Agni Purāṇa’s practical cataloging of temple-ritual standards—iconography, materials, and yuga-based prescriptions—alongside its many other domains (law, polity, medicine, warfare, and poetics).
Using the properly prescribed material for a deity’s image is treated as correct ritual observance (vidhi), supporting purity, efficacy of worship, and the accrual of religious merit through compliant installation and devotion.