Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 51
Chapter 92 — प्रतिष्ठाविधिकथनम्
Narration of the Consecration / Installation Procedure
ॐ पृथ्वीमूर्तये नमः ॐ पृथ्वीमूर्त्यधिपतये ब्रह्मणे नमः इत्य् आदि मन्त्राः सम्पूज्य कलशान् पञ्च क्रमेण निजनामभिः निरुन्धीत विधानेन न्यासो मध्यशिलाक्रमात्
oṃ pṛthvīmūrtaye namaḥ oṃ pṛthvīmūrtyadhipataye brahmaṇe namaḥ ity ādi mantrāḥ sampūjya kalaśān pañca krameṇa nijanāmabhiḥ nirundhīta vidhānena nyāso madhyaśilākramāt
Après avoir dûment honoré, avec les offrandes, les mantras commençant par « Oṃ, hommage à la Divinité incarnée en Terre », et « Oṃ, hommage à Brahmā, seigneur de la forme-Terre », etc., on doit ensuite, selon la règle prescrite, enclore/assurer successivement les cinq aiguières rituelles (kalaśa) en les invoquant par leurs noms propres ; le nyāsa doit être accompli selon la séquence partant de la pierre/siège central (madhya-śilā).
Lord Agni (in instruction to Sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purana dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Use specific mantras (e.g., ‘Oṃ pṛthvī-mūrtaye namaḥ’ and ‘Oṃ pṛthvī-mūrty-adhipataye brahmaṇe namaḥ’) to worship and then ritually ‘secure’ five kalaśas by name; perform nyāsa beginning from the central seat/stone (madhya-śilā).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Bhū-tattva mantra-pūjā and pañca-kalaśa bandhana (madhya-śilā krama)","lookup_keywords":["pṛthvī-mūrtaye","Brahmā adhipati","panca-kalasha","bandhana","madhya-shila"],"quick_summary":"After offering worship with earth-form mantras and the presiding lord (Brahmā) mantra, the five pitchers are invoked and ritually bound/secured in order. Nyāsa proceeds from the central seat outward, ensuring stability of the ritual field."}
Concept: Adhāra (support) principle: begin from the center/foundation (earth/seat) to stabilize subsequent ritual manifestations.
Application: In any installation (kalaśa, yantra, pīṭha), start with the central support and presiding principle; then proceed outward in a fixed count/order.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Kalasha-sthapana, Nyasa, Mantra-prayoga)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Five decorated kalaśas around a central stone/seat; the priest recites ‘Oṃ pṛthvī-mūrtaye namaḥ’ while offering flowers, then touches/marks each kalaśa to ‘secure’ it by name, starting from the center.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, central madhya-śilā with lotus motif, five kalaśas arranged around, priest performing nyāsa touch, ash lamp and flower offerings, bold outlines and flat colors, sanctum-like setting","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, gleaming gold on kalaśa rims and halos of invoked deities, central pīṭha emphasized with gold lotus, priest offering flowers, ornate frame and rich reds","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clear top-down layout of five kalaśas around central stone, priest’s hand positions shown sequentially, soft colors, didactic composition","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed ritual platform with five pots and central stone, officiant chanting with rosary, attendants with trays, intricate carpet patterns and border illumination"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पृथ्वीमूर्त्यधिपतये = पृथ्वीमूर्ति+अधिपतये; इत्य् → इति; मध्यशिलाक्रमात् = मध्यशिला+क्रमात्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 92.48 (kumbha worship); Agni Purana 92.49 (tattva-nyāsa); Agni Purana 92.52 (prākāra and kuṇḍa procedure)
FAQs
It teaches a specific kalasha-consecration sequence: worship the Earth-form/Brahmā-related mantras, then ritually secure and invoke five pitchers in order using their designated names, performing nyāsa from the central ritual seat/stone outward.
It preserves practical liturgical engineering—mantra selection, vessel arrangement, and nyāsa sequencing—showing the Agni Purana as a manual of applied ritual method alongside its many other disciplines.
Correct mantra-worship and nyāsa are understood to stabilize the rite, sanctify the ritual space, and ensure the intended deity-presence and protection, thereby making the worship efficacious and merit-bearing.