Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 54
Chapter 92 — प्रतिष्ठाविधिकथनम्
Narration of the Consecration / Installation Procedure
कृत्वा शतादिपूर्णान्तं प्रोक्ष्याः शान्तिजलैःशिलाः पूजयेच्च कुशैः स्पृष्ट्वा प्रतितत्त्वमनुक्रमात्
kṛtvā śatādipūrṇāntaṃ prokṣyāḥ śāntijalaiḥśilāḥ pūjayecca kuśaiḥ spṛṣṭvā pratitattvamanukramāt
Après avoir mené le rite jusqu’à son compte complet—en commençant par cent (oblations/récitations) et ainsi de suite—on aspergera les pierres (śilāḥ) d’eau pacificatrice (śānti-jala). Puis, les ayant touchées avec l’herbe kuśa, on les vénérera successivement, tattva par tattva, selon l’ordre prescrit.
Lord Agni (in dialogue tradition, instructing sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Pratiṣṭhā/śānti-kalpa handling of śilā (stones/icons): śānti-jala prokṣaṇa, kuśa-sparśa, and tattva-wise worship in correct order.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Śilā Prokṣaṇa with Śānti-jala and Tattva-krama Pūjā","lookup_keywords":["śānti-jala","prokṣaṇa","śilā","kuśa-sparśa","tattva-anukrama"],"quick_summary":"After completing the prescribed count (śatādi-pūrṇānta), sprinkle the stones with pacificatory water, touch with kuśa, and worship them in tattva-by-tattva sequence."}
Concept: Saṃskāra of matter: even inert śilā is ritually pacified and ordered into tattva-structure before it becomes a seat of divinity.
Application: In consecration work, complete japa/homa counts first, then perform prokṣaṇa and kuśa-mediated purification, and only then do systematic tattva-wise worship.
Khanda Section: Pūjā-vidhi (Pratiṣṭhā & Śānti-kalpa / Ritual consecration and pacification rites)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Stones intended for installation are arranged on a ritual platform; the priest sprinkles śānti-water, touches each with kuśa, and performs worship in a tattva-by-tattva order.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, consecration courtyard, stones on a lotus-mandala platform, priest sprinkling śānti-jala with kuśa, oil lamps, rhythmic decorative borders","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, gold-highlighted kumbha and ritual tray, stones neatly arranged, priest holding kuśa, shimmering śānti-jala droplets, ornate temple backdrop","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, didactic layout: sequential panels showing (1) pūrṇānta count completion, (2) prokṣaṇa, (3) kuśa-sparśa, (4) tattva-krama pūjā; fine linework","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed ritual scene with attendants, copper lota sprinkling water over stones, patterned carpets, architectural niche, delicate facial expressions"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shuddha Saveri","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: शान्तिजलैः + शिलाः → शान्तिजलैःशिलाः (विसर्ग-लोप/सन्धि); पूजयेत् + च → पूजयेच्च; प्रति + तत्त्वम् → प्रतितत्त्वम्
Related Themes: Agni Purana 92 (Pratiṣṭhā & Śānti-kalpa sequence around nyāsa and śuddhi)
FAQs
It prescribes a consecration/pacification procedure: complete the counted rite (śatādi), sprinkle the installation stones with śānti-jala, touch them with kuśa, and worship them in a defined tattva-wise sequence.
It exemplifies the Agni Purana’s practical ritual manual aspect—detailing precise operational steps (counted completion, prokṣaṇa, kuśa-sparśa, tattva-krama) used in temple/installation and śānti rites alongside its many other disciplines.
Sprinkling with śānti-jala and kuśa-touch are purificatory and pacifying acts; worshiping “tattva by tattva” ritually orders and sanctifies the installation, aiming to remove obstacles (śānti) and establish auspiciousness and stability in the sacred work.