Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 3
Sūrya-pratiṣṭhā-kathana
Account of Installing Sūrya
शुद्ध्यादि पूर्ववत् कृत्वा पिण्डीं संशोध्य पूर्ववत् सदेशपदपर्यन्तं विन्यस्य तत्त्वपञ्चकं
śuddhyādi pūrvavat kṛtvā piṇḍīṃ saṃśodhya pūrvavat sadeśapadaparyantaṃ vinyasya tattvapañcakaṃ
Après avoir accompli les actes de purification et le reste comme il a été prescrit auparavant, et après avoir de nouveau purifié la piṇḍī de la même manière, on doit alors procéder au nyāsa des cinq principes (tattva-pañcaka) jusqu’au point appelé « sa-deśa-pada » (lieu ou région désignée).
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Ritual purification and mantra-nyāsa mapping of tattvas onto a locus (piṇḍī/adhāra) during pūjā and pratiṣṭhā.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Tattva-pañcaka Nyāsa up to Sa-deśa-pada","lookup_keywords":["śuddhi","piṇḍī-śodhana","tattva-pañcaka","nyāsa","sa-deśa-pada"],"quick_summary":"After standard purifications, re-purify the piṇḍī and perform nyāsa of the five tattvas sequentially up to the designated locus called sa-deśa-pada, stabilizing the ritual body/seat for further installation."}
Concept: Śuddhi and nyāsa as the method of sacralizing a locus/body by superimposing tattva-structure prior to deity-installation.
Application: Use stepwise purification and tattva-nyāsa to prevent ritual ‘asiddhi’ and to stabilize visualization during pūjā/pratiṣṭhā.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Tantric/Mantric Ritual Procedure)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A guru performs bhūta-śuddhi and then touches/marks a ritual seat (piṇḍī) while assigning five tattvas in sequence up to a designated region (sa-deśa-pada), with yantra/mandala nearby.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, warm earthy palette, guru in white dhoti performing nyāsa mudrā over a piṇḍī on a lotus mandala, subtle tattva symbols (pañca-bhūta icons) arranged in order, sanctum-like background, flat iconic composition.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central seated guru with aureole, ornate ritual pedestal (piṇḍī) on a lotus, gold-leaf highlights on tattva emblems and ritual vessels, rich reds and greens, symmetrical framing.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, fine linework showing stepwise nyāsa points labeled (root-to-sa-deśa-pada), calm interior of a shrine, delicate shading, instructional clarity with minimal ornament.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed carpeted ritual space, guru applying tilaka-like marks on a small pedestal, attendants holding vessels, precise depiction of implements, soft pastel architecture, marginal floral borders."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: śuddhyādi = śuddhi + ādi; sadeśapadaparyantam = sa + deśa + pada + paryantam.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 99 (earlier śuddhyādi and nyāsa instructions); Agni Purana 100 (subsequent pratiṣṭhā sequences)
FAQs
It teaches the step-sequence of ritual purification (śuddhi) followed by purification of the piṇḍī and then performing tattva-pañcaka nyāsa up to a specified locus (sa-deśa-pada) as defined by the rite.
It exemplifies the Agni Purana’s procedural, manual-like treatment of worship—preserving technical ritual details (purifications, objects like piṇḍī, and nyāsa mappings) alongside its many other domains such as polity, medicine, and aesthetics.
By repeating purification and correctly installing the tattvas through nyāsa, the practitioner is understood to remove ritual impurity, stabilize mantra-power, and make the offering/body-field fit for divine presence and merit-bearing worship.