Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 41
Chapter 93 — वास्तुपूजादिविधानम्
Procedure for Vāstu-worship and Related Rites
शाषाकस्य निवेशे च मूर्तिसंस्थापने तथा पायसेन तु नैवेद्यं सर्वेषां वा प्रदापयेत्
śāṣākasya niveśe ca mūrtisaṃsthāpane tathā pāyasena tu naivedyaṃ sarveṣāṃ vā pradāpayet
Lors de l’installation du śāṣāka, et de même lors de l’établissement (consécration) d’une image divine, on doit offrir le naivedya sous forme de pāyasa (riz au lait sucré) ; ou bien, à défaut, l’offrir collectivement à toutes les divinités.
Lord Agni (narrating to sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vrata","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Guides naivedya choice (pāyasa) during installation/consecration moments—useful for temple priests and householders performing pratishtha-related offerings.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Pāyasa-naivedya at installation (mūrti-saṃsthāpana)","lookup_keywords":["mūrti-saṃsthāpana","pratiṣṭhā","naivedya","pāyasa","pūjā-vidhi"],"quick_summary":"During installation of the specified component (śāṣāka) and during idol consecration, offer sweet rice (pāyasa) as naivedya; alternatively, offer collectively to all deities."}
Concept: Devotional reciprocity: consecration is sealed through proper offering (naivedya) and inclusivity (offering to all).
Application: At consecrations, prepare clean pāyasa and offer with mantra and purity rules; if multiple deities are present, a collective offering is acceptable.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Pratishtha & Naivedya-Vidhi)
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: Temple/Household shrine
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A consecration scene: a newly installed idol on a pedestal, priests offering a bowl of pāyasa with incense and lamps; devotees stand with folded hands.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, frontal deity on pedestal, priest presenting pāyasa in bronze bowl, oil lamps and conch, warm earthy palette, devotional stillness","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, deity richly adorned with gold foil ornaments, pāyasa bowl highlighted with gold, priest and attendants, ornate arch backdrop","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, delicate lines and soft colors, close-up of naivedya arrangement (pāyasa, flowers, lamp), priest performing ācamana and offering gesture","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, intimate shrine interior, detailed textiles and vessels, priest offering sweet rice, attendants holding fly-whisk and lamp, fine facial expressions"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Madhyamavati","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Related Themes: Agni Purana 93 (vāstupūjā and associated pūjā items); Agni Purana 94 (foundation rites leading into pratishtha sequence)
FAQs
It prescribes a specific naivedya protocol during installation rites: offer pāyasa (sweet milk-rice) as the food offering, optionally as a collective offering to all deities.
Alongside theology, the Agni Purana preserves practical temple-operational details—what to offer and when—showing its coverage of applied ritual procedure (pūjā-vidhi and pratiṣṭhā) in addition to narratives and doctrine.
Correct naivedya at consecration formalizes hospitality to the deity and stabilizes the rite; offering a pure, auspicious food like pāyasa is traditionally held to increase ritual merit and sanctity of the installation.