Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 55
Pratiṣṭhā-sāmagrī-vidhāna — Prescription of Materials and Conditions for Consecration
तत्पादपादहीना च मूर्तिभृदस्त्रजापिनां पूजा स्याज्जापिभिस्तुल्या विप्रदैवज्ञशिल्पिनां
tatpādapādahīnā ca mūrtibhṛdastrajāpināṃ pūjā syājjāpibhistulyā vipradaivajñaśilpināṃ
Même si l’icône sacrée est dépourvue de pieds, le culte accompli par ceux qui la portent et récitent des mantras d’armes est tenu pour équivalent au japa pratiqué par les brahmanes, les astrologues–devins et les artisans.
Lord Agni (in dialogue with the sage Vasiṣṭha, as the principal narrator of the Agni Purana)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Shilpa","secondary_vidya":"Puja-vidhi (Archana)","practical_application":"Guidance for ritual acceptability when an icon (pratima) is physically deficient; legitimizes worship/japa by specific practitioner groups despite minor iconographic defects.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Pratima-doṣa (pāda-hīnatā) and equivalence of worship/japa","lookup_keywords":["pratima-lakshana","pada-hina murti","archana-vidhi","japa-tulya","astra-japa"],"quick_summary":"Even if an icon lacks feet, worship by those engaged in carrying/serving the icon and reciting astra-mantras is treated as spiritually equivalent to formal japa by learned specialists. The verse functions as a rule of ritual equivalence mitigating minor icon defects."}
Weapon Type: Astra (divine weapons) as mantra-category rather than physical arms
Concept: Ritual efficacy depends on sanctioned procedure and adhikāra (qualified practice), not solely on physical perfection of the icon.
Application: When only a defective icon is available, proceed with prescribed worship/japa rather than abandoning worship; rely on authorized mantra-practice and service.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Pratima-lakshana & Archana-vidhana)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Temple interior where a slightly incomplete deity icon (missing feet) is installed; attendants carry/serve the icon while reciting protective astra-mantras; learned Brahmin, astrologer-diviner, and artisan stand as witnesses to the equivalence of japa.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, flat vibrant colors, deity icon on pedestal with feet not shown, attendants with folded hands chanting astra-mantras, lamp-lit sanctum, traditional ornaments, sacred calm atmosphere","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-leaf haloed deity icon on throne with subtle missing-feet depiction, priests performing archana with flowers and lamps, inscriptions of mantra syllables, rich textiles and gold detailing","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clean linework instructional temple scene: defective icon labeled 'pāda-hīna', priest reciting astra-mantra from palm-leaf, artisan and jyotiṣika present, orderly ritual implements displayed","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed courtly temple-visit scene: small sanctum with icon, attendants chanting, scholars and craftsmen grouped, fine architectural detailing, subdued devotional palette"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: स्याज्जापिभिः = स्यात् + जापिभिः (त् + ज् → ज्ज्). तत्पादपादहीना treated as a multi-member compound; मूर्तिभृदस्त्रजापिनाम् = मूर्तिभृत् + अस्त्रजापिनाम् (compound juxtaposition).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 95 (Pratima-lakshana); Agni Purana 95 (Archana-vidhana)
FAQs
It states a rule of ritual valuation: even if a pratimā (icon) is physically deficient (e.g., missing feet), the pūjā done by designated ritual functionaries—icon-bearers and astra-mantra reciters—can be ritually credited as equivalent to formal japa performed by learned specialists (vipra, daivajña, śilpin).
It links multiple knowledge-domains in one instruction—iconography (pratimā-lakṣaṇa), pūjā procedure, mantra-technology (astra-mantras), and social-religious roles (Brahmin, jyotiṣin, artisan)—showing how the Agni Purana systematizes temple practice alongside allied sciences.
The verse emphasizes that merit can depend on authorized practice and mantra-discipline, not only on physical perfection of the icon; sincere, properly performed worship/japa by qualified practitioners yields comparable religious fruit.