Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 6
Abhiṣeka-Ādi-Kathana
Consecratory Bathing and Related Rites
कुर्यात् करद्वयायामां वेदीमष्टाङ्गुलोच्छ्रितां श्रीपर्णाद्यासने तत्र विन्यस्यानन्तमानसं
kuryāt karadvayāyāmāṃ vedīmaṣṭāṅgulocchritāṃ śrīparṇādyāsane tatra vinyasyānantamānasaṃ
On doit construire une plate-forme d’autel (vedī) de deux empans de longueur, élevée à une hauteur de huit largeurs de doigt ; puis, là, sur un siège fait de feuilles de śrīparṇa et d’autres semblables, on doit installer (la divinité) Ananta, l’esprit fermement tourné vers la dévotion.
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purāṇa frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Specification of altar dimensions and the correct seat-material for installation; used by priests and temple artisans to build a compliant ritual platform.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Formula","entry_title":"Vedi-pramāṇa: two hand-spans length, eight aṅgula height; śrīparṇa-āsana for Ananta installation","lookup_keywords":["vedi-pramāṇa","karadvaya","aṅgula","śrīparṇa-āsana","Ananta"],"quick_summary":"Construct the vedi with stated measurements and place a sacred-leaf seat (śrīparṇa etc.) upon it; then install Ananta with focused mind. The verse functions as a compact building-and-installation specification."}
Concept: Outer precision (pramāṇa, materials) supports inner steadiness (mānasa-bhakti) in installation.
Application: Combine exact construction with deliberate mental focus when installing the deity; treat both as necessary limbs of the rite.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Ritual Procedure / Altar Construction and Installation)
Primary Rasa: śānta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A small altar-platform being measured (two hand-spans length, eight finger-breadths height), topped with a seat of sacred leaves; priest installs Ananta with hands in nyāsa and eyes closed in concentration.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, artisan-priest measuring a vedi with hand-span and aṅgula markers, green śrīparṇa leaves arranged as āsana, Ananta symbol suggested as endless serpent motif, warm lamp-lit pavilion","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, richly decorated vedi with gold borders, leaf-āsana rendered with textured green, priest in ritual posture installing Ananta, ornate vessels nearby, strong frontal composition","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional measurement scene: clear depiction of karadvaya length and aṣṭāṅgula height with subtle annotation, leaf seat placement steps, calm palette and precise linework","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, craftsmen and priest in a courtyard pavilion, measuring tools and hand-span gesture, leaf seat on a raised platform, delicate detailing and patterned textiles"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: करद्वयायामां = कर-द्वय-आयामाम्; वेदीमष्टाङ्गुलोच्छ्रितां = वेदीम् + अष्टाङ्गुलोच्छ्रिताम्; अष्टाङ्गुलोच्छ्रिताम् = अष्ट-अङ्गुल-उच्छ्रिताम्; श्रीपर्णाद्यासने = श्रीपर्ण-आदि-आसने.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 90 (altar/maṇḍapa construction details)
FAQs
It gives precise ritual specifications for making a vedī (altar platform)—its length (two hand-spans) and height (eight aṅgulas)—and instructs installing Ananta on a seat of sacred leaves such as śrīparṇa.
By preserving exact construction-measurements and procedural details for worship (platform dimensions, seating materials, and installation), it functions like a technical ritual handbook alongside the Purana’s many other disciplines.
Correctly preparing the altar and installing Ananta with focused devotion is presented as a means to ensure ritual purity, proper deity-invocation, and the accrual of religious merit through accurate observance.