Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 17
Chapter 94 — शिलाविन्यासविधानम्
The Procedure for Laying the Foundation Stones
ॐ रिक्ते ऽतिरिक्तदोषघ्ने सिद्धिमुक्तिप्रदे शुभं सर्वदा सर्वदेशस्थे तिष्ठास्मिन् विश्वरूपिणि
oṃ rikte 'tiriktadoṣaghne siddhimuktiprade śubhaṃ sarvadā sarvadeśasthe tiṣṭhāsmin viśvarūpiṇi
Oṃ. Ô Rikta, destructrice de la faute de manque et d’excès, dispensatrice de siddhi et de délivrance, l’auspicieuse ; toi qui demeures en tout lieu, demeure ici, ô Toi à la forme universelle.
Lord Agni (in instruction to the sage Vasiṣṭha, as the usual dialogue frame of the Agni Purana)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Protective and siddhi-oriented mantra invoking Rikta as the regulator of ritual correctness—removing faults of deficiency/excess (nyūna/adhika) and granting siddhi and mokṣa; used to ‘seal’ rites and stabilize outcomes across places.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Mantra","entry_title":"Riktā Mantra: Nyūnādhika-Doṣa-Śamana and Siddhi-Mukti-Pradāna","lookup_keywords":["Riktā","nyūna-doṣa","adhika-doṣa","siddhi","mukti"],"quick_summary":"Invokes a universal-form Devi to neutralize procedural errors of omission or overdoing in ritual, ensuring auspicious completion and aiming at both success and liberation."}
Alamkara Type: Dvandva/compound emphasis (siddhi-mukti-pradā) and doṣa-pairing (rikte ’tirikta)
Concept: Ritual correctness (nyūnādhika-doṣa avoidance) as a prerequisite for auspicious results; higher aim integrates siddhi with mokṣa.
Application: Recite as a prāyaścitta-like seal after pūjā/homa to cover omissions/excesses and dedicate the act toward liberation.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Mantra-kalpa (Protective and siddhi-bestowing mantra usage)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritual completion scene: priest offers final oblations and recites a corrective mantra; a cosmic, all-pervading Devi form is envisioned surrounding the shrine, symbolizing removal of errors and bestowal of siddhi and moksha.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, Viśvarūpiṇī Devi encircling the sanctum as a cosmic aura, priest at homa-kunda, stylized flames, sacred geometry, deep reds/ochres/greens, iconic symmetry","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, cosmic Devi with gold radiance, shrine and homa scene below, gold foil emphasizing universal halo, ornate frame, symbols of siddhi (conch, discus, lotus) and moksha (upward flame)","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, didactic end-of-ritual tableau: priest concluding, checklist-like arrangement of implements, subtle depiction of Devi’s universal presence as luminous mandala, fine lines and soft colors","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed ritual chamber with homa, translucent cosmic mandala overlay suggesting Viśvarūpa, meticulous objects, calm contemplative palette"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: रिक्ते ऽतिरिक्तदोषघ्ने → रिक्ते अतिरिक्तदोषघ्ने (ए + अ → एऽ). सिद्धिमुक्तिप्रदे → सिद्धि + मुक्ति + प्रदे (समास/सन्धि). तिष्ठास्मिन् → तिष्ठ अस्मिन् (अ + अ → आ).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 94 (mantra-kalpa: rakṣā and siddhi formulas)
FAQs
It gives a corrective-invocation mantra used to neutralize ritual doṣas—especially faults of excess or deficiency in mantra, offering, or procedure—while requesting the invoked power to remain present in the rite.
Alongside theology, the Agni Purana preserves practical liturgical technology: short mantras that function as procedural safeguards, integrating ritual correctness (doṣa-śānti) with goals like siddhi and mokṣa.
By removing doṣas and invoking an all-pervading auspicious presence, the act is framed as purifying the rite and the practitioner, supporting both worldly attainment (siddhi) and the highest aim (liberation).