Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 42
Pratiṣṭhā-sāmagrī-vidhāna — Prescription of Materials and Conditions for Consecration
वर्धनीं शिवकुम्भञ्च लोकपालघटानपि एकं निद्राकृते कुम्भं शान्त्यर्थं कुण्डसङ्ख्यया
vardhanīṃ śivakumbhañca lokapālaghaṭānapi ekaṃ nidrākṛte kumbhaṃ śāntyarthaṃ kuṇḍasaṅkhyayā
On doit aussi installer le vase vardhanī, le Śiva-kumbha et les jarres des Lokapālas ; en outre, un kumbha est disposé pour le rite d’induire le sommeil, et, pour l’apaisement, on place des kumbhas en nombre égal à celui des kuṇḍas (foyers de feu).
Lord Agni (in instruction to sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Ritual vessel (kumbha) deployment for kalasha-sthāpana and śānti-karman: assigning specific kumbhas (vardhanī, Śiva-kumbha, lokapāla-ghaṭas) and matching counts to kuṇḍas for pacification rites.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Kalasha-sthāpana: vardhanī, Śiva-kumbha, lokapāla-ghaṭas; nidrā-kumbha and śānti count","lookup_keywords":["kalasha-sthāpana","vardhanī","śiva-kumbha","lokapāla-ghaṭa","śānti-karman"],"quick_summary":"Specifies which ritual jars to set up and how many: include vardhanī and Śiva-kumbha, jars for the guardians of directions, one jar for nidrā-rite, and for śānti place kumbhas equal to the number of fire-pits."}
Concept: Order and correspondence (saṃkhyā-sāmya) in ritual: kumbha-count mirrors kuṇḍa-count; devatā-wise allocation of vessels.
Application: When designing a śānti-homa venue, plan kumbha inventory and placement by kuṇḍa number and by devatā assignment (Śiva, lokapālas, nidrā).
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Kalasha-sthapana and Shanti-karman / ritual vessels and pacificatory rites)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritual hall with multiple fire-pits (kuṇḍas) and an equal number of consecrated kumbhas; special jars labeled vardhanī, Śiva-kumbha, and lokapāla jars arranged by directions; one separate nidrā-kumbha.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, top-down mandala-like layout around kuṇḍas, directional lokapāla jars at cardinal points, Śiva-kumbha prominent with trident motif, ritual priests in stylized form, deep greens/ochres.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central Śiva-kumbha with gold embellishment, surrounding lokapāla jars with directional emblems, glowing homa fires, ornate borders.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional schematic of kumbha placement by directions and kuṇḍa count, fine labels, clean composition, soft colors.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, interior pavilion with multiple small fire altars, rows of decorated jars, attendants placing garlands, precise architectural perspective."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"ritualistic","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: शिवकुम्भञ्च = शिवकुम्भम् + च. लोकपालघटानपि = लोकपालघटान् + अपि. निद्राकृते is avyayībhāva (purpose).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 95 (kalasha, śānti, kuṇḍa-linked arrangements)
FAQs
It specifies the required ritual pots (vardhanī, Śiva-kumbha, Lokapāla-ghaṭas) and prescribes that pacificatory kumbhas be arranged in a number equal to the ritual fire-pits (kuṇḍas), with an additional kumbha for a nidrā (sleep-inducing) rite.
It preserves a highly technical checklist-style instruction for ritual logistics—showing the Agni Purāṇa’s coverage of practical liturgy (kumbha/ghata installation, dikpāla worship, and śānti procedures) alongside its many other disciplines.
Correctly installing the prescribed kumbhas and honoring directional guardians is treated as a means to remove obstacles and secure śānti—ritual pacification, protection, and harmonious outcomes for the sacrificer and the rite.