Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 16
Adhivāsana-vidhi
Procedure for Preliminary Consecration in Vāstu–Pratiṣṭhā / Īśāna-kalpa
प्रदक्षिणक्रमाद्गत्वा निविष्टोवेदिदक्षिणे उत्तराभिमुखः कुर्याद् भूतशुद्धिं यथा पुरा
pradakṣiṇakramādgatvā niviṣṭovedidakṣiṇe uttarābhimukhaḥ kuryād bhūtaśuddhiṃ yathā purā
Après avoir accompli la pradakṣiṇā (circumambulation dans le sens horaire), assis au côté sud de l’autel et tourné vers le nord, on accomplira la purification des éléments (bhūtaśuddhi) comme précédemment.
Lord Agni (in discourse to sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Vastu","practical_application":"Correct circumambulation, seating, and orientation at the vedi for performing bhūtaśuddhi (elemental purification) prior to agni/vedi rites.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Pradakṣiṇa, Vedi-Seating, and Bhūtaśuddhi Orientation","lookup_keywords":["pradakṣiṇa","vedi-dakṣiṇa","uttarābhimukha","bhūtaśuddhi","agni-kārya"],"quick_summary":"Approach the altar by clockwise movement, sit on the south of the vedi facing north, and perform bhūtaśuddhi as earlier taught—establishing bodily and elemental purity before further rites."}
Concept: Alignment of body, space, and intention: directionality and circumambulation support inner purification (bhūtaśuddhi).
Application: In any mantra/meditation rite, standardize approach (clockwise), seat, and facing to reduce distraction and reinforce symbolic order.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Agneya-vidhi) — Vedi/Agni-karya and purification rites
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritualist circumambulates clockwise and sits to the south of a fire-altar, facing north, beginning a visualization of elemental purification.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, vedi with stylized flames, priest seated south facing north, circular pradakṣiṇa path marked, subtle pañca-bhūta symbols (earth, water, fire, air, ether) around him.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, gold accents on vedi and ritual vessels, priest seated in profile facing north, halo-like ring indicating pradakṣiṇa, pañca-bhūta emblems in corners.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, diagrammatic clarity: altar at center, compass directions labeled, priest seated on south side facing north, translucent overlay of five-element purification visualization.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtyard with geometric altar, priest completing a clockwise walk, then seated south of altar, fine detailing of ritual implements and directional cues."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: प्रदक्षिणक्रमाद्गत्वा = प्रदक्षिण-क्रमात् + गत्वा (त् + ग → द्ग); निविष्टोवेदिदक्षिणे = निविष्टः + वेदि-दक्षिणे; कुर्याद् = कुर्यात् (त् + भ् इत्यादौ द्-आदेशः).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 96 earlier bhūtaśuddhi method referenced by 'yathā purā'; Agni Purana agni-kārya/vedi-vidhi passages (related altar procedures)
FAQs
It prescribes the practitioner’s exact ritual movement and posture—clockwise circumambulation, seating at the altar’s southern side, facing north—followed by performing bhūtaśuddhi (elemental self-purification) according to the earlier method.
By giving step-by-step liturgical protocol (direction, placement, sequence, and internal purification), it functions like a practical ritual handbook—one of the Agni Purana’s hallmark “how-to” sections alongside its coverage of many other sciences and disciplines.
Clockwise pradakṣiṇā and bhūtaśuddhi are meant to align the worshipper with auspicious order and inner purity, making the subsequent rite fit for divine invocation and reducing ritual impurity (aśuddhi) and its karmic obstacles.