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
गृह, आयतन/मन्दिर, लिङ्ग आदि के लिए इसी प्रकार शोधन (शुद्धि) कर्म करना चाहिए। “स्कन्दो नमः शिवाय” यह मन्त्र समस्त प्रयोजनों को सिद्ध करने वाला है।
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.