Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 48
Adhivāsana-vidhi
Procedure for Preliminary Consecration in Vāstu–Pratiṣṭhā / Īśāna-kalpa
देशिको मूर्तिपैः सार्धं कृत्वा कारणशोधनं धर्मजप्तेन सञ्छाट्य पीतवर्णेन वाससा
deśiko mūrtipaiḥ sārdhaṃ kṛtvā kāraṇaśodhanaṃ dharmajaptena sañchāṭya pītavarṇena vāsasā
Le maître-prêtre officiant (deśika), avec les artisans de l’image, après avoir accompli la purification des causes (kāraṇa-śodhana), doit ensuite essuyer/purifier (l’ouvrage ou les matériaux) avec un tissu jaune sanctifié par la récitation (japa) des mantras du dharma.
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Shilpa","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Before installation, the ācārya-priest and the sculptors/image-makers perform ‘kāraṇa-śodhana’ (purification of causes/agents/material sources), then wipe/cleanse the work/materials using a yellow cloth sanctified by dharma-mantra japa.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Kāraṇa-śodhana with dharma-japa and yellow sanctified cloth","lookup_keywords":["deśika","mūrtipa","kāraṇaśodhana","pītavāsa","dharmajapa"],"quick_summary":"Consecration requires purifying not only the image but also its causal chain—materials, makers, and processes—then ritually wiping with mantra-sanctified yellow cloth."}
Concept: Kāraṇa-śuddhi: sanctity depends on purity of causes (agents, intention, materials), not merely the final object.
Application: Institute ethical/ritual protocols for artisans and materials; accompany physical cleaning with mantra-japa to align intention and action.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Pratishtha & Temple Ritual Procedures)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"An ācārya with artisans stands beside an unfinished/finished image; they perform purification rites over tools and materials; the priest wipes the image/materials with a yellow cloth while reciting dharma-mantras.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, artisan-priest collaboration scene, yellow cloth prominent, ritual implements and sculpting tools shown, calm sanctifying atmosphere inside temple workshop pavilion","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold detailing on tools and pedestal, bright yellow sanctified cloth as focal element, priest reciting japa beads, artisans respectfully assisting","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, technical clarity: artisans, tools, image, and the wiping action with pīta-vastra, subtle inscriptions-like feel, refined lines","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, atelier-like setting with artisans, priest in saffron/yellow cloth wiping the image, detailed textiles and implements, intimate indoor scene"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: deśiko = deśikaḥ (visarga sandhi in pada); mūrtipaiḥ = mūrti-paiḥ; kāraṇaśodhanaṃ = kāraṇa-śodhanam; dharmajaptena = dharma-japtena; pītavarṇena = pīta-varṇena.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 96 (pratiṣṭhā preliminaries and śodhana)
FAQs
It prescribes a pratishtha/pūjā preparatory step: perform kāraṇa-śodhana (purifying the causal factors—materials, agents, implements) and then ritually cleanse by wiping with a yellow cloth empowered through dharma-mantra japa.
It records operational, workshop-level temple practice—coordination between the ācārya and sculptors, material purification, and mantra-empowered cleansing—showing the text’s coverage of applied ritual technology alongside theology.
Mantra-charged purification is intended to remove ritual impurity and defects in the preparatory causes, ensuring the rite proceeds in a dharmic manner and the resulting installation is spiritually efficacious.