Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 7
Chapter 326 — देवालयमाहात्म्यम्
The Glory of Temples
वेस्मायतनलिङ्गादेः कार्यमेवं विशोधनम् स्कन्दो नमः शिवायेति मन्त्रः सर्वार्थसाधकः
vesmāyatanaliṅgādeḥ kāryamevaṃ viśodhanam skando namaḥ śivāyeti mantraḥ sarvārthasādhakaḥ
ગૃહ, આયતન/મંદિર, લિંગ વગેરે માટે આ રીતે શુદ્ધિકર્મ કરવું જોઈએ. “સ્કન્દો નમઃ શિવાય” આ મંત્ર સર્વાર્થસાધક છે.
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purāṇa’s instructional frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Puja-vidhi","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Temple/household purification (śuddhi) prior to Śiva-liṅga worship; selection of a single all-purpose mantra for rites.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Vesma–Āyatana–Liṅga Śodhana and Sarvārtha-sādhaka Mantra","lookup_keywords":["viśodhana","vesma-śuddhi","āyatana-śuddhi","liṅga-śuddhi","skando namaḥ śivāya"],"quick_summary":"Prescribes purification for house, shrine/temple, liṅga, etc., and recommends a Śaiva mantra (‘Skanda; namaḥ śivāya’) as universally efficacious for ritual aims."}
Concept: External purity (bahya-śuddhi) and mantra as a universal means (upāya) for accomplishing ritual and spiritual aims.
Application: Use a single stable mantra-prayoga to unify purification and worship steps, reducing ritual error and maintaining continuity of bhāva.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Shiva-linga / Temple Purification and Mantra-prayoga)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A priest purifies a house and shrine precinct, sprinkling sanctified water and preparing the liṅga for worship while reciting a Śaiva mantra.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, inner shrine scene: Nambudiri priest performing śuddhi with kalaśa and prokṣaṇa, Śiva-liṅga on pedestal, lamps and lotus motifs, earthy reds and greens, sacred geometry borders.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting: central black stone Śiva-liṅga with silver/white tripuṇḍra markings, priest with kalaśa, ornate arch, heavy gold leaf highlights on lamps and vessels, rich maroons and ultramarine.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting: instructional ritual layout—liṅga, prokṣaṇa vessel, flowers, bilva leaves, clean mandala-like floor markings; fine linework, soft shading, clear labeling feel.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: courtyard shrine purification, attendants holding water pot and incense, detailed textiles and architecture, delicate brushwork, subdued palette with precise ritual implements."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional-devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: वेस्मायतनलिङ्गादेः = वेस्म + आयतन + लिङ्ग + आदेः (समास/संयोग). कार्यमेवं = कार्यम् + एवम्. शिवायेति = शिवाय + इति.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 326 (Pūjā-vidhi sections on śuddhi, mantra-prayoga, liṅga-pūjā)
FAQs
It prescribes viśodhana (ritual purification) for a dwelling, temple/shrine, Śiva-liṅga, etc., and recommends the mantra “Skanda; namaḥ śivāya” as the operative formula for successful completion of the rite.
It exemplifies the Agni Purāṇa’s practical ritual manual dimension—giving concise, implementable instructions for space/object purification and specific mantra-usage within Śaiva temple and domestic worship contexts.
Purifying sacred and domestic spaces and invoking “namaḥ śivāya” is presented as a means to remove ritual impurity and to secure sarvārtha-siddhi—religiously framed success and auspicious outcomes through Śiva-centered devotion and correct rite.