Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 22
Adhivāsana-vidhi
Procedure for Preliminary Consecration in Vāstu–Pratiṣṭhā / Īśāna-kalpa
आत्मानं मूर्तिपैः सार्धं स्रग्वस्त्रकुसुमादिभिः भूषयित्वा शिवोस्मीति ध्यात्वा बोघासिमुद्धरेत्
ātmānaṃ mūrtipaiḥ sārdhaṃ sragvastrakusumādibhiḥ bhūṣayitvā śivosmīti dhyātvā boghāsimuddharet
Après s’être paré—avec les divinités accompagnatrices des formes—de guirlandes, de vêtements, de fleurs et autres ornements, et après avoir médité : « Je suis Śiva », on doit alors tirer l’épée Boghāsi.
Lord Agni (in dialogue, instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Stotra","practical_application":"Internal Śiva-upāsanā culminating in śivoham-bhāvanā (identity contemplation) and visualization of a jñāna-asi (knowledge-sword) to cut ignorance and stabilize empowerment.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Śivoham-dhyāna and drawing the Bodha-asi (knowledge-sword)","lookup_keywords":["śivoham","dhyāna","bodha-asi","antar-pūjā","ābharaṇa"],"quick_summary":"Adorn the self and attendant deities in visualization, affirm identity with Śiva, then ‘draw’ the sword of awakening—symbolizing decisive insight that severs delusion."}
Alamkara Type: Lakṣaṇā/Arthāntaranyāsa (sword as knowledge)
Weapon Type: Sword (asi)
Concept: Śivoham-bhāvanā: non-dual identification with Śiva supported by symbolic action (bodha-asi) that represents cutting avidyā.
Application: Use the ‘bodha-asi’ visualization at the end of japa/dhyāna to reinforce clarity, resolve, and detachment from obscuring thoughts.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Shiva-upasana / mantra-sadhana and internal visualization)
Primary Rasa: vīra
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A meditator visualizes themselves as Śiva, richly adorned with garlands and flowers; attendant deities hover; a luminous sword of knowledge is drawn from an inner sheath, emitting light that cleaves a dark knot.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, Śiva-like yogin with ash marks and garlands, attendant mūrtis in small panels, glowing sword emerging, dark knot/serpent of ignorance split, bold flat colors.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, heavily ornamented Śiva-form with gold embossing, floral offerings, radiant sword with gold highlights, symmetrical attendants, temple arch frame.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore, refined facial features, detailed textiles and garlands, instructional clarity showing the sword as a beam of light, subtle background with lotus motifs.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, elegant figure seated on a carpet, attendants as small luminous forms, a jeweled yet ethereal sword drawn, darkness depicted as a smoky ribbon being cut."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Shivaranjani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: śivaḥ + asmi + iti → śivosmīti; bodha-asim + uddharet → bodhāsimuddharet (a + u → ā; sandhi).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 96 (Śiva-upāsanā steps; internal visualization sequence)
FAQs
It teaches a precise worship-sequence: ritual adornment (with garlands, cloth, flowers, etc.), identification-meditation (“I am Śiva”), and then the prescribed act of drawing/raising a named ritual sword (Boghāsi) used in the sādhana.
Alongside myth and theology, the Agni Purana preserves practical liturgical technology—step-by-step puja elements, inner visualization, and specialized ritual implements—showing it functions as a manual of applied religious practice.
The instruction centers on purification and empowerment through śiva-identity contemplation (aham-śiva-bhāva), integrating outer worship with inner realization so the practitioner performs the rite as an extension of Śiva-consciousness.