Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 1
Sūrya-pratiṣṭhā-kathana
Account of Installing Sūrya
ख , ग , घ , ङ च ॐ हूं स इति घ ह्रीं क्रियाशक्तये नम इति झ ॐ क्रियाशक्तये नम इति घ जप्त्वानुरूपतः इति ग , छ , च अथोनशततमो ऽध्यायः सूर्यप्रतिष्ठाकथनं ईश्वर उवाच वक्ष्ये सूर्यप्रतिष्ठाञ्च पूर्ववन्मण्डपादिकं स्नानादिकञ्च सम्याद्य पूर्वोक्तविधिना ततः
kha , ga , gha , ṅa ca oṃ hūṃ sa iti gha hrīṃ kriyāśaktaye nama iti jha oṃ kriyāśaktaye nama iti gha japtvānurūpataḥ iti ga , cha , ca athonaśatatamo 'dhyāyaḥ sūryapratiṣṭhākathanaṃ īśvara uvāca vakṣye sūryapratiṣṭhāñca pūrvavanmaṇḍapādikaṃ snānādikañca samyādya pūrvoktavidhinā tataḥ
«(Les lettres-mantra :) kha, ga, gha, ṅa et ca ; (puis) “oṃ hūṃ sa” — (indiqué comme) “gha” ; (puis) “hrīṃ — hommage à la Puissance d’Action (kriyā-śakti)” — (indiqué comme) “jha” ; (puis) “oṃ — hommage à la Puissance d’Action” — (indiqué comme) “gha” ; les ayant récitées (japa) selon la manière appropriée — (indiqué) “ga, cha, ca”. Commence maintenant le quatre-vingt-dix-neuvième chapitre : « Exposé de l’installation de Sūrya ». Le Seigneur dit : “J’expliquerai l’installation de Sūrya et, comme précédemment, le maṇḍapa (pavillon) et les dispositions afférentes ; puis, après avoir accompli correctement le bain rituel et les autres rites selon la méthode déjà énoncée, ensuite…”
Īśvara (the Lord) speaking
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Mantra-krama and bīja/varṇa-sūcana for kriyā-śakti nyāsa leading into Sūrya-pratiṣṭhā; also serves as chapter colophon and procedural transition to pavilion (maṇḍapa) and snāna rites.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Mantra","entry_title":"Kriyā-śakti Mantra-letters and Commencement of Sūrya-pratiṣṭhā","lookup_keywords":["khādi-pañcaka","hrīṃ","kriyā-śakti","sūrya-pratiṣṭhā","maṇḍapa-vidhi"],"quick_summary":"Recite the indicated mantra-letters and kriyā-śakti salutations in the prescribed order, then proceed to Sūrya installation following earlier pavilion and bathing procedures."}
Concept: Ritual efficacy depends on correct varṇa/bīja sequence and continuity with previously taught procedural modules (maṇḍapa, snāna).
Application: Use as a checklist: mantra recitation order + ensure prior infrastructure rites (pavilion setup, bathing) are completed before Sūrya installation.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Pratishtha & Temple Rituals)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A manuscript-like panel listing mantra syllables (khādi group, hrīṃ, oṃ hūṃ sa), with a ritual pavilion being prepared in the background; the narrator (Īśvara) begins teaching Sūrya installation.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, split composition: left shows stylized akṣaras floating near a priest chanting; right shows maṇḍapa with ritual bath vessels; Sūrya emblem (radiant disc) above as chapter theme.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, central radiant Sūrya medallion with gold rays; below, priest with palm-leaf manuscript showing bīja syllables; ornate pavilion elements with gold highlights.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional layout: clear depiction of maṇḍapa, snāna vessels, and a text panel of mantra syllables; fine lines and soft colors for didactic clarity.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, scholar-priest reading a manuscript with syllables; attendants preparing a pavilion and bathing setup; architectural depth and detailed calligraphic panel."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Hamsadhwani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: अथोनशततमो ऽध्यायः → अथ + ऊनशततमः + अध्यायः (अवग्रह). सूर्यप्रतिष्ठाञ्च → सूर्यप्रतिष्ठाम् + च. पूर्ववन्मण्डपादिकं → पूर्ववत् + मण्डपादिकम्. स्नानादिकञ्च → स्नानादिकम् + च.
Related Themes: Agni Purana earlier Puja-vidhi chapters on maṇḍapa construction, snāna, kalasha, āvāhana, nyāsa (referenced as 'pūrvavat' and 'pūrvokta-vidhi'); Agni Purana ch.99 (Sūrya-pratiṣṭhā) continuation
FAQs
It introduces the Sūrya-pratiṣṭhā (Sun-icon installation) procedure, indicating specific bīja/mantra components and stating that the pavilion (maṇḍapa) setup and bathing (snāna) preliminaries should follow the earlier prescribed ritual method.
By shifting into a specialized consecration manual—covering mantras, mandapa arrangements, and purification rites—it demonstrates the Agni Purana’s compendium-style coverage of temple ritual technology alongside its many other disciplines.
Proper mantra-recitation and purification preliminaries are presented as necessary conditions for a valid consecration, aiming to sanctify the icon and the worshipper, thereby generating religious merit through correctly performed ritual action (kriyā).