Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 25
Pratiṣṭhā-Kalaśa-Śodhana-Ukti (Instruction on Purifying the Consecration Pitcher) — Chapter 85
छिन्द्यादस्त्रेण कर्तर्या कलावीजवता यथा ॐ ह्रीं प्रतिष्ठाकलापाशाय हः फट् विसृज्य वर्तुलीकृत्य पाशमन्त्रेण पूर्ववत्
chindyādastreṇa kartaryā kalāvījavatā yathā oṃ hrīṃ pratiṣṭhākalāpāśāya haḥ phaṭ visṛjya vartulīkṛtya pāśamantreṇa pūrvavat
Qu’il le tranche au moyen du mantra-arme (Astra), comme avec les ciseaux rituels pourvus de la syllabe-bīja de Kalā. En prononçant : « Oṃ Hrīṃ—au nœud coulant de la Kalā de la consécration (pratiṣṭhā)—Haḥ Phaṭ », qu’il le projette, le dispose en cercle, puis, avec le mantra du Pāśa (lasso), qu’il agisse selon la prescription antérieure.
Lord Agni (traditionally instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Pratiṣṭhā/nyāsa-oriented ritual handling of a symbolic bond/noose (pāśa): cutting, casting, circularizing (vartuḷī-karaṇa), and re-applying the pāśa-mantra as a controlled purification/containment step.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Pratiṣṭhā-kalā-pāśa: chedana–visarga–vartuḷīkaraṇa","lookup_keywords":["pratiṣṭhā-kalā","pāśa-mantra","astra-mantra","vartuḷīkaraṇa","chedana (cutting)"],"quick_summary":"The verse prescribes a precise sequence: cut the ritual bond with an astra-mantra, cast it forth with the Pratiṣṭhā-kalā-pāśa mantra, form a protective circle, and continue with the standard pāśa-mantra procedure."}
Concept: Bandha (bondage/obstruction) is ritually severed and contained through mantra-śakti and prescribed sequence (krama).
Application: Follow krama exactly—cut (chedana), release (visarga), encircle (vartuḷīkaraṇa), then resume the main rite—so that obstacles are neutralized without dispersing ritual power.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Tantra-Mantra (Pratiṣṭhā and Pāśa-mantra procedures)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: śānta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritualist symbolically cuts a noose-like bond with mantra-empowered 'scissors/weapon', casts it outward, and draws a circular boundary before continuing the rite.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, priest in white mundu performing tantric pratiṣṭhā, glowing mantra syllables 'oṃ hrīṃ haḥ phaṭ' around a severed pāśa, circular protective mandala line, warm lamp-lit sanctum palette, flat iconic composition","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-leaf haloed ritual circle, stylized pāśa being cut by a radiant astra, embossed mantra letters, rich reds and greens, ornate borders, consecration atmosphere","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional clarity: stepwise depiction of cutting the pāśa, casting, then drawing a circle; fine linework, muted pastels, labeled mantra syllables near the hands","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed yajña setting with ladles and ritual tools, a scholar-priest cutting a cord/noose, circular chalk line on floor, delicate calligraphy-like mantra text in margins"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: अस्त्रेण = अस्त्र + एण; प्रतिष्ठाकलापाशाय = प्रतिष्ठा-कलापाश + आय (चतुर्थी); पाशमन्त्रेण = पाश-मन्त्रेण (समास).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 85 (earlier 'pūrvavat' pāśa-mantra steps); Agni Purana 85 (pratiṣṭhā/nyāsa and astra-prayoga context)
FAQs
It teaches a precise consecration-step: ritually “cutting” with the astra-mantra (as if using mantra-empowered scissors), then projecting the mantra-force, forming it into a protective circle, and continuing with the pāśa-mantra as per the earlier rite.
Alongside narratives, the Agni Purana preserves applied ritual technology—specific bīja-syllables, mantra-functions (cutting/dispelling), and procedural directions for pratiṣṭhā—showing its coverage of temple/installation manuals and tantric liturgy.
The astra and phaṭ elements signify purification and removal of obstacles, while the circular formation and pāśa-mantra indicate binding/protection—ritually securing the space/object so the consecration proceeds in an auspicious, safeguarded manner.