Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 16
Chapter 92 — प्रतिष्ठाविधिकथनम्
Narration of the Consecration / Installation Procedure
पूजां कुम्भे समाहृत्य प्राप्ते लग्ने ऽग्निकोष्ठके कुद्दालेनाभिषिक्तेन मध्वक्तेन तु खानयेत्
pūjāṃ kumbhe samāhṛtya prāpte lagne 'gnikoṣṭhake kuddālenābhiṣiktena madhvaktena tu khānayet
Après avoir rassemblé les offrandes du culte dans le pot rituel (kumbha), lorsque survient le lagna, l’instant propice fixé pour le foyer du feu (agni‑koṣṭhaka), on creusera (la fosse/le foyer) avec une bêche consacrée par aspersion, accompagnée de miel et de ghee.
Lord Agni (traditional narrator of Agni Purana, instructing a sage such as Vasiṣṭha in standard puranic framing)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Jyotisha","practical_application":"At the chosen lagna, transfer pūjā-offerings into the kumbha, consecrate the spade by sprinkling plus honey and ghee, then dig the agni-koṣṭhaka (fire-hearth/pit) for the rite.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Agni-koṣṭhaka khanana at auspicious lagna with consecrated spade (madhu-ghṛta)","lookup_keywords":["lagna","agni-koṣṭhaka","khanana","kuddāla-abhiseka","madhu-ghṛta"],"quick_summary":"When the auspicious moment arrives, prepare the kumbha with offerings, consecrate the spade using sprinkling with honey and ghee, and then dig the fire-hearth/pit for the ritual."}
Concept: Kāla (auspicious time) and saṃskāra (consecration) govern successful ritual action; instruments become fit (yogya) through purification.
Application: Select an auspicious muhurta/lagna for foundational acts; consecrate tools and the hearth before offerings to stabilize the ritual outcome.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Ritual Procedures and Consecration Rites)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: mangala
Type: Ritual-structure
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"At the ritual pavilion, offerings are gathered into a kumbha; an astrologically marked auspicious moment is indicated; the priest sprinkles and anoints a spade with honey and ghee, then begins digging the agni-koṣṭhaka pit.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, priest beside a marked hearth area, kumbha with offerings, assistant holding small vessels of honey and ghee, spade being consecrated, stylized fire symbols, warm earthy tones.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-highlighted kumbha and ritual vessels, priest anointing spade with madhu and ghṛta, outlined agni-koṣṭhaka space, auspicious motifs (svastika/lotus) around the hearth.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional clarity: hearth outline, kumbha, honey and ghee containers, spade consecration step, then digging action; fine linework and soft gradients.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed ritual scene with attendants, small bowls of honey and ghee, priest consecrating the spade, beginning to dig a square/rectangular hearth pit, delicate architectural canopy."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: 'gnikoṣṭhake = agni-koṣṭhake; kuddālenābhiṣiktena = kuddālena abhiṣiktena; madhvaktena interpreted as madhv-uktena (madhu + ukta) by sandhi.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 92 (kumbha-pūjā, bhūmi-śuddhi, agni-sthāpana sequence)
FAQs
It gives a precise procedural rule for establishing the fire-hearth: collect the worship materials into a kumbha, wait for the correct lagna, and excavate the agni-koṣṭhaka using a spade ritually consecrated (sprinkled/anointed) with honey and ghee.
It preserves operational details—astrological timing (lagna), tool-consecration, and hearth construction—showing the Agni Purana’s coverage of applied ritual technology alongside theology.
By aligning the act with an auspicious lagna and sanctifying the implement with purifying substances (madhu and ghṛta), the rite is performed in a ritually pure, merit-bearing manner, reducing obstacles and enhancing the efficacy of the yajña/pūjā.