Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 29
Pratiṣṭhā-Kalaśa-Śodhana-Ukti (Instruction on Purifying the Consecration Pitcher) — Chapter 85
न स्थेयं बन्धकत्वेन शिवाज्ञां श्रावयेदिति ततो विसृज्य गोविन्दं विद्यात्मानं नियोज्य च
na stheyaṃ bandhakatvena śivājñāṃ śrāvayediti tato visṛjya govindaṃ vidyātmānaṃ niyojya ca
«Il ne faut pas demeurer dans l’état de servitude ; il convient plutôt de proclamer l’injonction de Śiva.» Ainsi, après avoir congédié Govinda, qu’il désigne celui dont l’essence même est la connaissance (vidyātmān), c’est-à-dire l’officiant savant.
Lord Agni (narrating to sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Ritual-ethical injunction: do not remain in a 'bonded' state; proclaim Śiva’s command; formally dismiss Govinda (concluding a Vaiṣṇava invocation segment) and appoint a vidyātmā (qualified learned officiant) to proceed correctly.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Injunction","entry_title":"Śivājñā-śrāvaṇa, Govinda-visarjana, and appointment of vidyātmā","lookup_keywords":["bandhakatva","Śivājñā","Govinda-visarjana","vidyātmā","ṛtvik qualification"],"quick_summary":"The verse directs the practitioner to avoid remaining in bondage, to announce Śiva’s injunction, to dismiss Govinda at the proper juncture, and to entrust the rite to a truly learned authority."}
Concept: Ritual correctness includes ethical posture (not abiding as 'bound') and proper authority/qualification (vidyātmā) to carry Śiva’s injunction forward; sectarian elements are harmonized through correct sequencing (visarjana).
Application: End deity-invocation segments properly (visarjana), avoid clinging/saṅga in ritual identity, and ensure a competent learned officiant supervises transitions and injunctions.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Mantra-vidhi (Śaiva–Vaiṣṇava ritual injunctions)
Primary Rasa: śānta
Secondary Rasa: vīra
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritual transition: Govinda is respectfully dismissed (udvāsana), Śiva’s command is proclaimed to the assembly, and a learned officiant is appointed to continue the rite without 'bondage'.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, two deity emblems (Govinda and Śiva) in balanced composition, priest performing udvāsana gesture, assembly listening to proclamation, calm authoritative mood","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, ornate depiction of ritual dismissal: Govinda icon being ceremonially veiled/closed, Śiva’s śāsana shown as a golden scroll, learned ācārya seated with palm-leaf manuscript, gold work","mysore_prompt":"Mysore, instructional scene: sequence panels—(1) Govinda visarjana, (2) Śivājñā proclamation, (3) appointment of vidyātmā; fine lines, readable gestures","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly ritual hall, officiant announcing injunction, another scholar appointed, a small Vishnu emblem being respectfully carried away, detailed textiles and architecture"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: श्रावयेदिति = श्रावयेत् + इति; शिवाज्ञां = शिव-आज्ञाम् (समास); विद्यात्मानं = विद्या-आत्मानम् (समास).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 85 (visarjana procedures); Agni Purana 85 (Śaiva–Vaiṣṇava integration in pūjā-vidhi)
FAQs
It gives a procedural injunction: do not remain in a “bound” (unauthorized/compelled) state; instead publicly announce Śiva’s directive and then formally engage a qualified learned person (vidyātmā) to carry out the next step.
Beyond theology, it preserves practical governance of ritual action—who may act, how instructions are promulgated, and how a competent specialist is appointed—showing the Purāṇa’s coverage of procedural dharma alongside devotion.
Obeying and publicizing Śiva’s injunction, and entrusting action to a qualified knower, is presented as dharmically correct conduct—reducing error in ritual performance and aligning action with divine ordinance rather than compulsion or confusion.