Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 24
पवित्रारोहणविधिः
The Rite of Raising/Placing the Pavitra
समारोप्य समभ्यर्च्य पुष्पधूपाक्षतादिभिः अन्तर्बलिं पवित्रञ्च रुद्रादिभ्यो निवेदयेत्
samāropya samabhyarcya puṣpadhūpākṣatādibhiḥ antarbaliṃ pavitrañca rudrādibhyo nivedayet
Après avoir installé (la divinité) et l’avoir honorée comme il se doit avec fleurs, encens, riz intact (akṣata) et autres offrandes, on doit présenter l’oblation intérieure (antar-bali) et le pavitra consacré (fil/cordon) à Rudra et aux autres dieux.
Lord Agni (in instruction to Sage Vasiṣṭha, Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vrata","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"To perform āvāhana/installation, upacāra worship, and then offer antar-bali and pavitra to Rudra and associated deities as part of Śaiva ritual protocol.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Rudrādi-upacāra with antar-bali and pavitra-nivedana","lookup_keywords":["samāropya","abhyarcya","puṣpa-dhūpa-akṣata","antar-bali","pavitra"],"quick_summary":"After installing and worshipping with standard offerings, the practitioner presents inner bali and the consecrated pavitra to Rudra and the attendant deities, completing the offering-cycle."}
Concept: Devotional action becomes complete through sequential upacāra and proper distribution of offerings (bali) to the deity and retinue.
Application: Follow a fixed order: installation → upacāra (flowers/incense/akṣata) → antar-bali → pavitra offering to Rudrādi.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Rudra/Śiva-upacāra and bali-nivedana rites)
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A deity is ritually installed on a pedestal/altar; the worshipper offers flowers, incense, and akṣata; then presents a small inner bali and a sacred pavitra cord to Rudra and attendant deities.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: Rudra shrine setting with lamp-lit ambience, priest offering puṣpa and dhūpa, akṣata in a bowl, small bali portions arranged, pavitra cord held reverently, bold outlines and warm tones.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: Rudra icon with gold halo, worshipper presenting a tray with flowers, incense, rice, and pavitra; rich ornamentation, gold leaf on jewelry and arch, symmetrical composition.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: clear step-by-step ritual scene, labeled items (puṣpa, dhūpa, akṣata, antar-bali, pavitra), refined linework and gentle colors, instructional clarity.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: detailed offering table with incense smoke, rice grains, flower garlands; Rudra icon in niche; worshipper extending pavitra cord; fine textile patterns and architectural framing."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Kedar","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: puṣpadhūpākṣatādibhiḥ = puṣpa + dhūpa + akṣata + ādibhiḥ; pavitrañca = pavitram + ca (m + c → ñc).
Related Themes: Agni Purana sections on upacāra (ṣoḍaśopacāra) and bali-vidhi; Agni Purana Śaiva-pūjā procedures for Rudra and gaṇas
FAQs
It teaches a concrete sequence in worship: after installing and worshipping with standard upacāras (flowers, incense, akṣata), the practitioner must formally offer antar-bali and a pavitra to Rudra and associated deities.
Beyond mythology, it preserves operational temple/household liturgy—precise offerings (akṣata, dhūpa), specialized items (pavitra), and procedural steps (installation → worship → bali-nivedana), showing the text’s coverage of applied ritual technology.
By offering antar-bali and pavitra to Rudra and related deities after proper worship, the rite is completed with purity and propitiation, aiming to remove ritual impediments and secure auspiciousness and merit (puṇya).