Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 68
Chapter 78 — पवित्रारोहणकथनं
Pavitrārohaṇa: Installing the Sanctifying Thread/Garland
आचान्तो मन्त्रसम्बद्धः कृतसङ्गीतजागरः स्वपेदन्तः स्मरन्नीशं बुभुक्षुर्दर्भसंस्तरे
ācānto mantrasambaddhaḥ kṛtasaṅgītajāgaraḥ svapedantaḥ smarannīśaṃ bubhukṣurdarbhasaṃstare
Après avoir accompli l’ācamana, s’être appliqué à la récitation des mantras et avoir veillé en état d’éveil par le chant dévotionnel, on doit s’étendre sur une couche d’herbe darbha ; et, même affamé, s’endormir en se souvenant du Seigneur.
Lord Agni (in discourse to sage Vasiṣṭha, Agni Purāṇa frame-tradition)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vrata","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Night discipline for a sādhaka: ācamana, mantra-japa, devotional vigil with song, then sleeping on darbha-grass while remembering Īśa, even if hungry.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Śayana-vidhi: Darbha-bed, Japa, and Īśa-smaraṇa","lookup_keywords":["shayana-vidhi","darbha-sanstara","japa","jagara","isha-smarana"],"quick_summary":"Complete purification and japa, keep a devotional vigil, then rest on darbha as a disciplined bed while maintaining remembrance of the Lord, subordinating hunger to sādhana."}
Concept: Smaraṇa at the threshold of sleep: carrying God-remembrance into unconsciousness; tapas through regulated sleep and appetite.
Application: Adopt a nightly routine: purification → japa → devotional singing/vigil (as capacity allows) → simple bedding → sleep with a chosen divine name/form in mind.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Nitya-karman, Sandhya, Shayana-vidhi)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A devotee after ācamana sits for japa, sings in a small night vigil, then lies down on a simple darbha-grass mat, hands in a restful posture, mind fixed on Śiva/Īśa despite hunger.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, night interior with oil lamp glow, sādhaka seated with japa-mālā, faint musical instruments indicating saṅgīta-jāgara, then reclining on darbha mat with serene face and subtle Śiva symbol in background; stylized foliage borders.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, devotee with halo-like aura of devotion, gold highlights on lamp and mala, darbha mat rendered with texture, small Śiva liṅga or Īśa icon in niche, deep maroons and greens.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, calm instructional composition: three stages (ācamana, japa/singing, sleeping on darbha), soft pastel palette, fine facial expressions emphasizing composure.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, intimate chamber scene with carpet replaced by simple grass mat, devotee with rosary, musicians minimal, moonlight through lattice window, subtle icon of Īśa; delicate detailing."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: svapedantaḥ parsed as svapet + antaḥ (sleep within/inside [the enclosure]); smarannīśaṃ = smaran + īśam.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 78 (nitya-karman and vrata observances around pavitra rites)
FAQs
It prescribes a śayana-vidhi: perform ācamana, remain engaged in mantra (japa), optionally keep a devotional vigil with singing, and sleep on darbha-grass while remembering Īśvara—even if hungry.
Beyond mythology, it records practical nitya-karman details—purification (ācamana), mantra-regimen, devotional observance (jāgara/saṅgīta), and ritual materials (darbha)—showing the text’s coverage of daily religious life and applied ritual procedure.
Sleeping with remembrance of the Lord (īśa-smaraṇa) after purification and mantra-practice frames rest as a devotional act, supporting mental purity, restraint (even amid hunger), and merit through continuous God-centered recollection.