Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 23

Adhivāsana-vidhi

Procedure for Preliminary Consecration in Vāstu–Pratiṣṭhā / Īśāna-kalpa

Devanagari script

चतुष्पदान्तसंस्कारैः संस्कुर्यान्मखमण्डपं विक्षिप्य विकिरादीनि कुशकूर्चोपसंहरेत्

Transliteration

catuṣpadāntasaṃskāraiḥ saṃskuryānmakhamaṇḍapaṃ vikṣipya vikirādīni kuśakūrcopasaṃharet

Translation

Après avoir consacré le pavillon sacrificiel (makha-maṇḍapa) en accomplissant les rites purificatoires jusqu’au ‘catuṣpada’ et les saṃskāra conclusifs (‘anta’), on doit ensuite disperser les offrandes de dispersion (vikira et autres), puis enfin les rassembler à l’aide d’un balai de kuśa (kuśa-kūrca).

Word by Word

• catuṣpada-anta-saṃskāraiḥ: by the rites ending with the catuṣpada (four-footed) (rite)
• catuṣpada-anta-saṃskāraiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: catuṣpada (प्रातिपदिक) + anta (प्रातिपदिक) + saṃskāra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd) बहुवचन; तत्पुरुषः ('by the consecrations up to/ending with the four-footed [rite]')

• saṃskuryāt: should consecrate/prepare
• saṃskuryāt: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: saṃ-√kṛ (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन

• makha-maṇḍapam: the sacrificial pavilion
• makha-maṇḍapam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: makha (प्रातिपदिक) + maṇḍapa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd) एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः ('sacrificial pavilion')

• vikṣipya: having scattered
• vikṣipya: Pūrvakāla-kriyā (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vi-√kṣip (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive) 'having scattered/thrown'

• vikira-ādīni: vikira etc. (items/offerings)
• vikira-ādīni: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vikira (प्रातिपदिक) + ādi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd) बहुवचन; तत्पुरुषः ('vikira and the rest')

• kuśa-kūrca-upasaṃharet: should gather/collect the kuśa-bundle
• kuśa-kūrca-upasaṃharet: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: kuśa (प्रातिपदिक) + kūrca (प्रातिपदिक) + upa-saṃ-√hṛ (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; पूर्वपद-समासः 'kuśakūrca' (bundle of kuśa) कर्म-विशेषणम्

Speaker

Lord Agni (in discourse to the sages, traditionally to Vasiṣṭha)

Vidya Category

Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vrata","secondary_vidya":"Vastu","practical_application":"Practical yajña-maṇḍapa preparation: consecration sequence, scattering of ritual offerings (vikira), and hygienic/ritual cleanup using kuśa-broom.","sutra_style":true}

Encyclopedic Reference

Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Saṃskāra of the makha-maṇḍapa; vikira scattering and kuśa-kūrca collection","lookup_keywords":["makha-maṇḍapa","saṃskāra","vikira","kuśa-kūrca","yajña-śuddhi"],"quick_summary":"Consecrate the sacrificial pavilion through prescribed purifications, perform the scattering rites, and then gather/clean the scattered materials with a kuśa-grass broom to complete ritual orderliness."}

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Ritual purity and procedural completeness (saṃskāra-krama) sustain dharmic efficacy of yajña.

Application: Follow a clear sequence: purify/mark the space, perform offerings, then restore cleanliness—preventing ritual lapses and maintaining sanctity.

Khanda Section

Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Yajna-mandapa & Vedic ritual procedure)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Visual Art Cues

Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A freshly built sacrificial pavilion is being purified; an officiant scatters ritual materials in prescribed directions and then gathers them neatly with a kuśa-grass broom.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, pavilion with wooden pillars, officiant in white dhoti, ritual scatterings shown as stylized grains/flowers, kuśa-broom in hand, flat decorative floor patterns.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, ornate maṇḍapa with gold accents, priest performing scattering, kuśa-kūrca highlighted with gold, lamps and vessels symmetrically arranged.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore, clear instructional depiction of maṇḍapa layout, directional scattering marks, priest collecting with kuśa-broom, soft colors and precise lines.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed pavilion architecture, attendants holding vessels, priest scattering and sweeping with kuśa, fine textiles and patterned carpets around the ritual area."}

Audio Atmosphere

Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":null,"pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}

Sandhi Resolution Notes

Sandhi Resolution Notes: saṃskuryāt + makhamaṇḍapam → saṃskuryānmakhamaṇḍapam (t + m → n+m by sandhi); kuśakūrca + upasaṃharet → kuśakūrcopasaṃharet (a+u→o).

Cross References

Related Themes: Agni Purana 96 (pūjā-vidhi and yajña-maṇḍapa procedures around this section)

Characters & Entities

• Agni
• Makha (Yajna)
• Kuśa (sacred grass)

FAQs

What technical or ritual knowledge (Vidya) is imparted in this verse?

It teaches the procedural sequence for consecrating the yajña-pavilion: complete specified saṃskāras, perform the vikira-type ritual scatterings, and then ritually collect/withdraw them with a kuśa-grass broom.

How does this verse contribute to the 'Encyclopedic' nature of the Agni Purana?

Beyond mythic narration, it preserves a manual-style instruction for yajña logistics—mandapa-saṃskāra, handling of vikira offerings, and the use of kuśa tools—showing the text’s coverage of practical liturgy alongside theology.

What is the spiritual or karmic significance of this specific instruction?

The acts of consecration, controlled scattering, and proper withdrawal signify ritual purity and completeness (pūrṇatā), aiming to prevent doṣa (ritual fault) and to secure the intended merit (puṇya) of the sacrifice.