Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 39
Chapter 81 — समयदीक्षाविधानम्
Procedure for Samaya Initiation
यथेदं कृतयत्नेन भगवन्मखमन्दिरं रक्षणीयं जगन्नाथ सर्वाध्वरधर त्वया
yathedaṃ kṛtayatnena bhagavanmakhamandiraṃ rakṣaṇīyaṃ jagannātha sarvādhvaradhara tvayā
Ô Seigneur, Jagannātha, soutien de tous les sacrifices : ce sanctuaire sacrificiel (makha-mandira) a été préparé avec un effort appliqué ; qu’il soit donc protégé par Toi.
Ritual officiant/devotee addressing the presiding deity (Vishnu as Jagannatha) within the narrated ritual framework (Agni Purana’s instruction typically voiced by Lord Agni to Vashistha).
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Stotra","practical_application":"Consecratory prayer for protecting a prepared sacrificial/temple structure; establishes divine guardianship over the ritual building.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Mantra","entry_title":"Jagannatha-ksetra-raksha Prarthana for Makha-mandira","lookup_keywords":["Jagannatha","makha-mandira","raksha","adhvara","mandira-protection"],"quick_summary":"A direct supplication to the Lord as bearer of sacrifices to protect the carefully prepared sacrificial temple and its rite."}
Alamkara Type: Sambodhana (direct address)
Concept: Yajna and its abode are sustained by the Lord; human effort (kṛta-yatna) is completed by divine raksha.
Application: Use stuti-prarthana at key ritual transitions to ritually ‘hand over’ protection of the site to the deity.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi & Vastu (Temple Rituals and Protection of Sacred Structures)
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: Sacred structure (mandira/ritual hall)
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Before a newly prepared sacrificial temple/ritual hall, the officiant raises folded hands and addresses Jagannatha as protector of all sacrifices, requesting protection over the structure.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, frontal view of a mandira with lamp rows, priest in añjali-mudra, stylized Jagannatha presence as protective aura above the shrine, bold outlines and earthy pigments","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, sanctified mandira with gold-worked arch, priest offering añjali, Jagannatha as radiant protective form, heavy gold embellishment on temple ornaments","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clean architectural depiction of the ritual hall, priest reciting protection prayer, subtle haloed deity presence, fine linework emphasizing structure and ritual decorum","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed pavilion-like mandira with carpets and pillars, officiant praying, attendants and ritual vessels, a symbolic divine presence indicated by luminous cloud motif"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: yathedaṃ → yathā + idam; bhagavanmakhamandiraṃ → bhagavan + makha-mandiram.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 81 (mandira-raksha within puja-vidhi)
FAQs
It teaches the ritual principle of formally entrusting the protection (rakṣā) of the yajña-mandira/makha-mandira to the presiding deity—an essential step in safeguarding the sanctified space from obstruction and ritual impurity.
Beyond theology, it preserves practical liturgical procedure: how a consecrated sacrificial structure is maintained and ritually secured—linking temple/mandapa management (vastu + puja-vidhi) with the continuity of Vedic sacrifice.
By invoking the Lord as the sustainer of all sacrifices, the performer aligns the rite with divine guardianship, aiming for obstacle-free completion, preservation of purity, and the accruing of merit (puṇya) through properly protected worship.