Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 38
पवित्रारोहणविधिः
The Rite of Raising/Placing the Pavitra
विसृज्य लोकपालादीनादायेशात् पवित्रकं सति चण्डेश्वरे पूजां कृत्वा दत्वा पवित्रकं
visṛjya lokapālādīnādāyeśāt pavitrakaṃ sati caṇḍeśvare pūjāṃ kṛtvā datvā pavitrakaṃ
Après avoir congédié les Lokapāla et les autres divinités, on doit reprendre le pavitraka auprès d’Īśa (Śiva) ; puis, après avoir accompli le culte à Caṇḍeśvara, on doit offrir/déposer le pavitraka.
Lord Agni (narrating Agni Purana teachings to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Puja-vidhi","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Orderly de-invocation: dismiss subsidiary deities (Lokapālas), retrieve the pavitraka from Īśa, then perform Caṇḍeśvara worship and place/offer the pavitraka as prescribed.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Pavitraka Retrieval and Offering after Lokapāla-Visarjana","lookup_keywords":["lokapāla-visarjana","pavitraka","īśa","caṇḍeśvara-pūjā","temple-ritual"],"quick_summary":"After dismissing guardian deities, the sanctifying thread/ring (pavitraka) is taken back from Śiva and then handled in connection with Caṇḍeśvara worship, ensuring correct ritual sequencing."}
Concept: Ritual hierarchy and proper closure: subsidiary powers are respectfully dismissed; sanctifying instruments (pavitraka) are not left on the deity but ritually reassigned through prescribed channels.
Application: In temple pūjā, follow the mandated sequence—guardians first, then main deity’s ritual items, then Caṇḍeśvara—so that nirmālya/ritual property is handled without transgression.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Temple Rituals and Pavitrapuja)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A priest completes dismissal of the Lokapālas, then carefully removes a pavitraka from Śiva’s presence and proceeds to worship Caṇḍeśvara, finally placing/offering the pavitraka there.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, directional guardians faintly depicted at the periphery being respectfully dismissed, central Śiva-linga with a visible pavitraka thread, priest moving toward a small Caṇḍeśvara shrine, warm temple lamp glow","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, gold detailing on pavitraka and shrine ornaments, Śiva sanctum on one side and Caṇḍeśvara niche on the other, priest holding the pavitraka with reverence, rich reds and greens","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional composition: sequence panels—Lokapāla dismissal, pavitraka retrieval, Caṇḍeśvara pūjā, pavitraka offering; delicate shading and clear ritual implements","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly precision in temple interior, small guardian figures at corners, priest carrying a fine thread-ring, Caṇḍeśvara shrine rendered with intricate architectural motifs"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: लोकपालादीन् = लोकपाल-आदीन्. आदायेशात् = आदाय + ईशात्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 79 (pavitraka-vidhi; upadevatā-pūjā; visarjana-krama)
FAQs
It gives the closure-sequence of a pavitraka rite: dismiss the invoked deities (Lokapālas, etc.), retrieve the pavitraka from Īśa (Śiva), worship Caṇḍeśvara, and then formally offer/place the pavitraka as part of the concluding ritual.
It preserves precise temple liturgy details—deity dismissal (visarjana), handling of ritual objects (pavitraka), and Caṇḍeśvara worship—showing the Agni Purana’s practical coverage of ritual engineering alongside its many other domains.
Proper dismissal and correct re-offering of the pavitraka is meant to complete the worship without ritual residue, ensuring purity (śuddhi), orderly closure of invoked energies, and the intended religious merit (puṇya) of the rite.