Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 20
पवित्रारोहणविधिः
The Rite of Raising/Placing the Pavitra
त्वया पवित्रितं सर्वं जगत् स्थावरजङ्गमं खण्डितं यन्मया देव व्रतं वैकल्पयोगतः
tvayā pavitritaṃ sarvaṃ jagat sthāvarajaṅgamaṃ khaṇḍitaṃ yanmayā deva vrataṃ vaikalpayogataḥ
Par Toi, ô Deva, l’univers entier—l’immobile comme le mobile—a été sanctifié. Pourtant, le vœu (vrata) que j’ai entrepris a été rompu, du fait de l’emploi d’un procédé de substitution (vaikalpa).
A vow-observer/devotee addressing a deity (Deva) within Agni Purana’s ritual-expiation discourse (narratively framed under Agni’s instruction)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vrata","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Vrata-prāyaścitta awareness: recognizing that vikalpa (alternative procedure) may cause vrata-khaṇḍana; prompts corrective expiation and recommitment while affirming the deity as universal sanctifier.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Vrata-Khaṇḍana and Vaikalpa (Alternative Procedure)","lookup_keywords":["vrata-khaṇḍita","vaikalpa","pavitrīkaraṇa","sthāvara-jaṅgama","prāyaścitta"],"quick_summary":"The verse contrasts the Lord’s universal sanctifying power with the devotee’s admission of a broken vow due to adopting an alternative method; it frames the need for expiation and restoration of observance."}
Alamkara Type: Viśeṣokti (emphatic statement) with cosmic enumeration (sthāvara/jaṅgama)
Concept: Dharma as disciplined observance (vrata) and accountability; vikalpa is permissible only within rule-bound limits, otherwise it becomes khaṇḍana requiring prāyaścitta.
Application: When forced into substitutions (time/material constraints), consult vrata rules for allowed vikalpas; if breached, perform prescribed expiation and renew the vow with clarity.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi & Vrata-prayashchitta (Ritual observances, purification, expiation)
Primary Rasa: Karuna
Secondary Rasa: Shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A devotee reflects on a broken vow while the cosmos of moving and unmoving beings appears sanctified by the deity’s radiance; the devotee holds a partially broken vow-thread or calendar of observances.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, cosmic tableau with trees, animals, and humans bathed in divine light, devotee at side holding a snapped vrata-sūtra, solemn palette with sacred reds/ochres, stylized nature motifs.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, deity radiating gold sanctity over a miniature world scene (sthāvara-jaṅgama), devotee presenting a broken garland/vow token, heavy gold leaf to emphasize pavitrīkaraṇa.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, didactic composition: left shows proper vrata items, right shows substituted (vaikalpa) items, center shows devotee confessing before deity, neat detailing and soft tones.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, garden scene with detailed flora-fauna symbolizing sthāvara-jaṅgama, devotee in contemplation with a small vow ledger, luminous divine presence above, intricate borders."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: यन्मया → यत् + मया; वैकल्पयोगतः → वैकल्प + योगतः
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Vrata-prayoga and prāyaścitta discussions (general); Agni Purana: Pūjā completion and kṣamā prayers (79.18–79.19)
FAQs
It highlights the ritual-technical concept of vaikalpa (vikalpa)—using a substitute or optional procedure in a vow—and notes that such substitution can still count as a breach requiring expiation (prāyaścitta) depending on the vow’s rules.
It exemplifies Agni Purana’s practical dharma-ritual coverage: not only praising divine sanctifying power but also recording procedural categories like vikalpa and their legal-ritual implications in vrata practice.
The verse frames vow-integrity as spiritually consequential: even when the deity sanctifies the cosmos, an individual’s lapse in vrata discipline is acknowledged and must be addressed to restore purity and merit.