Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 5
Sūrya-pratiṣṭhā-kathana
Account of Installing Sūrya
स्वाम्यन्तमथवादित्यं पादान्तन्नाम धारयेत् सूर्यमन्त्रास्तु पूर्वोक्ता द्रष्टव्याः स्थापनेपि च
svāmyantamathavādityaṃ pādāntannāma dhārayet sūryamantrāstu pūrvoktā draṣṭavyāḥ sthāpanepi ca
Ensuite, pour Āditya (le Soleil), on doit attribuer ou inscrire, à la fin du pāda (section/vers), le nom se terminant par « svāmin ». Les mantras de Sūrya enseignés auparavant doivent être employés et consultés également dans le rite d’installation.
Lord Agni (narrating Agni Purana’s ritual procedures to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Name-inscription/assignment conventions and reuse of previously taught Sūrya-mantras during installation rites.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Sūrya Name-Ending ‘Svāmin’ and Mantra Reapplication in Pratiṣṭhā","lookup_keywords":["āditya","svāmin-nāma","pāda","sūrya-mantra","sthāpana"],"quick_summary":"Assign the ‘svāmin’-ending name to Āditya in the specified pāda-position, and apply the already-taught Sūrya-mantras again during installation—continuity of mantra-authority across rites."}
Concept: Nāma and mantra function as ‘identity-seals’ (saṃjñā/śabda) that stabilize the deity’s presence in the installed form.
Application: Maintain consistency: use the same authorized Sūrya-mantras previously taught when performing sthāpana; treat naming as a binding step in consecration.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Pratishtha (Solar icon-installation and mantra-usage)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritual specialist inscribes or recites the ‘svāmin’-ending name for Āditya at a specified quarter/pāda position on a pedestal/plate, while consulting earlier mantra lists for Sūrya during installation.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, guru holding palm-leaf manuscript, writing/marking a pedestal with ‘…svāmin’, Sūrya emblem glowing above, lamps and conch nearby, strong outlines and muted reds/ochres.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, close-up consecration scene: gold-embossed Sūrya halo, priest inscribing name on a golden plate, ornate borders, rich jewel tones and heavy gilding.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore, instructional composition showing the pāda divisions on a diagrammed base, the ‘svāmin’ name placed at the quarter-end, priest pointing while chanting, fine lines and gentle colors.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, scribe-like priest writing on a tablet beside a small Sūrya idol, manuscript open with mantra lines, detailed textiles and architectural niche, delicate brushwork."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: svāmyantam = svāmi + antam; pādāntannāma = pādānta + nāma; sūryamantrāstu = sūryamantrāḥ + tu; sthāpanepi = sthāpane + api.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 99 (earlier Sūrya-mantras ‘pūrvoktāḥ’); Agni Purana 100 (installation-related rites)
FAQs
It gives a practical rule for Sūrya-pratiṣṭhā: the deity’s appellation is to be set with the honorific “svāmin” and the earlier-taught Sūrya-mantras must be used during installation.
It exemplifies the Agni Purana’s manual-like coverage of temple ritual technology—linking naming conventions, metrical/ritual placement (pāda-anta), and mantra deployment within a formal pratiṣṭhā procedure.
Following the correct name-form and prescribed Sūrya-mantras is presented as ensuring ritual correctness (śuddhi) and effective consecration, aligning the act of installation with dharmic order and devotional merit.