Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 34
Adhivāsana-vidhi
Procedure for Preliminary Consecration in Vāstu–Pratiṣṭhā / Īśāna-kalpa
निजयागं जगन्नाथ रक्ष भक्तानुकम्पया एभिः संश्राव्य रक्षार्थं कुम्भे खड्गं निवेशयेत्
nijayāgaṃ jagannātha rakṣa bhaktānukampayā ebhiḥ saṃśrāvya rakṣārthaṃ kumbhe khaḍgaṃ niveśayet
« Ô Jagannātha, Seigneur de l’univers, protège mon propre sacrifice, par compassion envers les dévots. » Après avoir fait réciter à voix audible ces formules de protection en vue de la sauvegarde, qu’on place une épée dans le kumbha rituel.
Lord Agni (instructing sage Vasiṣṭha in ritual procedure)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Ritual protection (rakṣā): recite a protective supplication to Jagannātha, then audibly empower the kumbha with rakṣā-formulas and install a sword in the pot as a protective seal/guardian implement.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Mantra","entry_title":"Rakṣā-prārthanā to Jagannātha and sword installation in the kumbha","lookup_keywords":["raksha-mantra","jagannatha","kumbha","khadga","yaga-raksha"],"quick_summary":"Protection of the rite is invoked through a direct prayer and audible rakṣā-recitation; the sword placed in the kumbha functions as a consecrated protective implement guarding the yajña/pujā space."}
Weapon Type: Sword (Khaḍga)
Concept: Ritual responsibility includes rakṣā: safeguarding the yajña/pujā and devotees through mantra and consecrated implements, grounded in divine compassion (anukampā).
Application: Before vulnerable ritual moments (abhiṣeka, homa, bali), perform rakṣā-recitation audibly and establish a protective implement (here, khaḍga) in the kumbha as a boundary-marker.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Raksha-mantra and ritual protection procedures)
Primary Rasa: Shanta
Secondary Rasa: Veera
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A priest prays to Jagannātha for protection of the rite; assistants recite protective formulas aloud; the priest places a gleaming sword into a decorated kumbha on the altar, forming a protective seal around the ritual space.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, dramatic yet sacred: priest before altar, kumbha with mango leaves and coconut, sword inserted upright, sound-scroll motifs for audible rakṣā, faint protective aura around mandala, earthy temple colors","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-embossed Jagannātha presence implied by radiant halo above, richly ornamented kumbha with upright sword, priest in devotion, heavy gold detailing on weapon and vessels","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clear ritual action: priest holding khaḍga and placing it into kumbha, side panel showing the rakṣā prayer text ribbon, soft palette and precise linework","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, refined interior with altar objects, priest inserting sword into pot, attendants chanting, delicate rendering of steel sheen, patterned carpets, balanced composition"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: bhaktānukampayā = भक्त + अनुकम्पया; rakṣārthaṃ = रक्षार्थम् (आ-दीर्घ sandhi in recitation); saṃśrāvya = सम्- + श्राव्य (absolutive); jagannātha = जगत् + नाथ (त् + न → न्न).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 96 (rakṣā-vidhi context; kumbha procedures immediately preceding)
FAQs
It teaches a rakṣā-vidhi: after audible recitation of prescribed protective mantras, a khaḍga (sword) is ritually installed in a consecrated kumbha to establish protection for the yajña/rite.
It preserves a practical, procedural detail of temple/household ritual technology—linking mantra, consecrated implements, and protective intent—showing the Agni Purana’s coverage beyond mythology into applied liturgy and ritual apparatus.
The act frames protection as devotion-driven (bhaktānukampā) and sanctifies the rite through mantra and symbolic guardianship, aiming to remove obstacles (antarāya) and secure the efficacy and purity of the sacrifice.