Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 94
Adhivāsana-vidhi
Procedure for Preliminary Consecration in Vāstu–Pratiṣṭhā / Īśāna-kalpa
पिण्डिकाञ्च कृतस्नानां विलिप्ताञ्चन्दनादिभिः सद्वस्त्रैश् च समाच्छाद्य रन्ध्रे च भगलक्षणे
piṇḍikāñca kṛtasnānāṃ viliptāñcandanādibhiḥ sadvastraiś ca samācchādya randhre ca bhagalakṣaṇe
Après avoir baigné correctement la piṇḍikā (piṇḍikā), qu’on l’oigne de santal et de substances analogues, qu’on la couvre de tissus purs, puis qu’on la place à l’orifice marqué comme bhaga-lakṣaṇa, le signe génératif.
Lord Agni (narrating Agni Purana’s ritual procedure, traditionally to Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Guidance for preta-saṃskāra/antyeṣṭi-associated handling of piṇḍa/piṇḍikā: purification (snāna), anointing, covering, and placement at a specified ritual aperture/marker (bhaga-lakṣaṇa) according to rite.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Piṇḍikā preparation and placement in preta-saṃskāra","lookup_keywords":["antyeṣṭi","preta-saṃskāra","piṇḍikā","candana","bhaga-lakṣaṇa"],"quick_summary":"The verse prescribes preparing the piṇḍikā by bathing, anointing with sandalwood, covering with clean cloth, and placing it at the ritually designated opening marked as bhaga-lakṣaṇa, as part of funerary/post-death observance."}
Concept: Saṃskāra-dharma: purity, propriety, and correct placement/actions in rites for the departed.
Application: Maintain śauca (cleanliness) and procedural exactness in preta rites; use clean cloth and sanctioned unguents, and follow the specified placement markers of the ritual setting.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Antyeṣṭi / Preta-saṃskāra: funerary and post-death rites)
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritual setting where a prepared piṇḍikā is bathed, anointed with sandal paste, wrapped in clean cloth, and carefully placed at a designated opening marked by a symbolic bhaga sign, under solemn supervision.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, subdued palette, ritualist preparing a piṇḍikā with sandal paste, white cloth covering, a clearly marked ritual aperture with symbolic sign, oil lamp glow, solemn attendants","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, formal ritual tableau with gold accents on vessels and cloth borders, piṇḍikā wrapped and placed at a marked spot, emphasis on auspicious materials (candana, clean vastra) despite funerary context","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional clarity: stepwise depiction—snāna, candana application, vastra covering, final placement at marked opening; clean lines and labeled elements","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed domestic/ritual courtyard scene, attendants with water vessel and sandal paste, wrapped piṇḍikā placed at a marked niche/opening, muted tones conveying solemnity"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पिण्डिकाञ्च → पिण्डिकाम् च; विलिप्ताञ्चन्दनादिभिः → विलिप्ताम् चन्दनादिभिः; सद्वस्त्रैश् च → सद्वस्त्रैः च.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 96 (antyeṣṭi/preta-vidhi section continuation)
FAQs
It gives a precise handling method for the piṇḍikā/piṇḍa offering in preta/śrāddha rites—wash it, anoint with fragrant substances like sandalwood, cover with clean cloth, and place it at a ritually designated aperture/sign (bhaga-lakṣaṇa).
Beyond mythology, it preserves step-by-step procedural ritual technology (saṃskāra/śrāddha praxis), functioning like a compact manual for funerary and post-death observances within a broader compendium of disciplines.
Correctly preparing and placing the offering is treated as a purity-sensitive act that supports the departed’s transition and satisfies ritual obligations, thereby accruing merit (puṇya) and reducing ritual fault (doṣa).