Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 14
पवित्रारोहणविधिः
The Rite of Raising/Placing the Pavitra
मूलं लयान्तमुच्चार्य दद्याद्गङ्गावतारकं आत्मविद्याशिवैः प्रोक्तं मुमुक्षूणां पवित्रकं
mūlaṃ layāntamuccārya dadyādgaṅgāvatārakaṃ ātmavidyāśivaiḥ proktaṃ mumukṣūṇāṃ pavitrakaṃ
Après avoir prononcé le mantra racine (mūla-mantra) se terminant par la syllabe « laya », on doit conférer le « Gaṅgā-avatāraka » (formule/rite qui fait descendre la Gaṅgā). Il est enseigné par les Śiva de la doctrine de la connaissance du Soi, et sert de purificateur à ceux qui aspirent à la délivrance.
Lord Agni (in the Agni Purana’s primary narration to sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Use of a mūla-mantra with specified terminal syllable (‘laya’) to confer/perform the Gaṅgā-avatāraka rite/formula as a purifier especially oriented to mumukṣus (liberation-seekers).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Gaṅgā-avatāraka bestowal via mūla-mantra (layānta) for mumukṣus","lookup_keywords":["mūla-mantra","layānta","gaṅgā-avatāraka","pavitraka","mumukṣu"],"quick_summary":"A root-mantra ending in ‘laya’ is employed to bestow the Gaṅgā-descent formula/rite, presented as a specialized purifier taught within a Śaiva self-knowledge lineage for aspirants to liberation."}
Concept: Purification is ultimately for mumukṣutva: ritual śuddhi supports self-knowledge (ātma-vidyā) and liberation-oriented practice.
Application: Treat mantra-based purification as preparation for meditation, japa, and inquiry; prioritize inner release (laya) alongside outer rite.
Khanda Section: Mantra-vidya & Diksha (Tantric/Puranic ritual instructions, purification rites)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: River
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A guru or officiant bestows a Gaṅgā-avatāraka mantra/rite to a liberation-seeking disciple; Gaṅgā is visualized descending as a stream of light/water purifying the subtle body.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: Gaṅgā as luminous river-goddess descending from above into a sanctum space, guru and disciple seated, mantra syllables as stylized bands, deep reds and greens, lamp glow.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: Gaṅgā personified with gold aureole, descending stream rendered with white and gold, guru conferring mantra, ornate throne-like shrine elements, heavy gold work.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: instructional depiction of dīkṣā-like bestowal, clear gestures (mudrā), subtle-body channels hinted, soft palette, emphasis on mantra syllable ‘laya’ at the end.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: refined riverscape merging into an interior ritual scene, delicate water patterns, guru-disciple exchange, fine script cartouche for ‘gaṅgā-avatāraka’."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Malkauns","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: लयान्तमुच्चार्य → लयान्तम् + उच्चार्य; दद्याद्गङ्गावतारकम् → दद्यात् + गङ्गावतारकम्; आत्मविद्याशिवैः → आत्मविद्या-शिवैः (समास/सम्बन्ध).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 79 (Gaṅgā-avatāraka context; mantra-terminations)
FAQs
It teaches a mantra-prayoga: after reciting a specified root-mantra (ending with ‘laya’), one confers the Gaṅgā-avatāraka—an invocation/rite associated with ritually ‘bringing down’ the sanctifying presence of the Gaṅgā for purification.
Alongside mythology and dharma, the Agni Purana preserves practical ritual technology—named mantra-rites, rules of recitation, and their intended spiritual outcomes—showing its compendium-like coverage of mantra-vidyā and purificatory procedures.
The verse frames the Gaṅgā-avatāraka as a pavitraka (purifier) particularly suited to mumukṣus, indicating removal of impurity/obstacles and support for liberation-oriented practice through sanctifying mantra and Śaiva ātmavidyā transmission.