Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 60
Adhivāsana-vidhi
Procedure for Preliminary Consecration in Vāstu–Pratiṣṭhā / Īśāna-kalpa
रेखात्रयेण सम्बद्धं कारयेत् पृष्टदेशगं रत्नजे लक्षणोद्धारो यवौ हेमसमुद्भवे
rekhātrayeṇa sambaddhaṃ kārayet pṛṣṭadeśagaṃ ratnaje lakṣaṇoddhāro yavau hemasamudbhave
On doit faire tracer la marque de bon augure sur la région du dos, reliée par trois lignes. Pour ce qui naît d’une gemme, la marque propice doit être déterminée; et la marque dite « yava » est prescrite pour ce qui provient de l’or.
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Samanya","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Gem/metal objects are examined for auspicious surface-marks (rekhā, yava etc.) and those marks are deliberately inscribed/verified on the prescribed region (pṛṣṭha-deśa) to ensure śubhatva in ornaments, seals, yantras, or ritual articles.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Rekhā-traya & Yava-lakṣaṇa for Ratna/Haima Objects","lookup_keywords":["rekhā-traya","pṛṣṭha-deśa","lakṣaṇa-uddhāra","yava-lakṣaṇa","hema-samudbhava"],"quick_summary":"Auspicious marks are assessed/created by prescribed line-patterns; for gold-origin objects the ‘yava’ mark is specified, and for gem-origin items the lakṣaṇa is determined by ratna-lakṣaṇa rules."}
Concept: Śubha-lakṣaṇa (auspicious sign) is knowable and reproducible through rule-governed observation and craft-practice.
Application: Standardize inspection/marking protocols for valuable materials to reduce defects and ensure ritual/royal acceptability.
Khanda Section: Ratna-pariksha / Lakshana-shastra (Gemology and auspicious marks)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A craftsman-gemologist examines a gem and a gold object, inscribing/confirming a connected tri-line mark on the back surface; a barley-grain ‘yava’ motif is shown as the gold-specific auspicious sign.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, artisan seated with palm-leaf manual, gem and gold ornament on a low wooden stool, clear tri-line rekhā motif and yava mark indicated, earthy reds/ochres, flat iconic composition.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central gold ornament with embossed gold-leaf highlighting the yava mark, attendant artisan holding stylus, decorative borders, rich reds and greens, jewel-like detailing.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, instructional diagram feel: close view of back-region marking with three connected lines and yava motif, fine linework, soft shading, muted palette.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, court workshop scene with gem-tester and goldsmith, delicate instruments, labeled tri-line mark and yava motif, architectural atelier background, fine detailing."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: लक्षणोद्धारः = लक्षण + उद्धारः; रेखात्रयेण is a dvigu compound (त्रय-). No major external sandhi beyond standard vowel coalescence in compounds.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 96 (Ratna-parīkṣā / Lakṣaṇa-śāstra context); Agni Purana sections on Śilpa and Pratiṣṭhā-vidhi (general)
FAQs
It gives a technical rule from Ratna-parīkṣā/Lakṣaṇa-śāstra: how to recognize or inscribe auspicious markings—specifically a mark connected with three lines on the back region, and the ‘yava’ (barley-grain) sign for items associated with gold.
Beyond mythology, the Agni Purana preserves applied knowledge such as gem-and-metal lore, omenology, and craft guidelines—showing how ritual, material culture, and technical identification (lakṣaṇa) were systematized.
Correct identification and use of auspicious marks is treated as a way to ensure śubhatva (beneficial outcomes) in ritual or auspicious use of valuables, minimizing doṣa (inauspiciousness) and supporting merit through proper observance.