Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 36
Chapter 38 — देवालयनिर्माणफलं
The Merit of Constructing a Temple
देवालयाद्यकर्तार आनेयास्ते तु गोचरे विसारध्वं यथान्यायन्नियोगो मम पाल्यतां
devālayādyakartāra āneyāste tu gocare visāradhvaṃ yathānyāyanniyogo mama pālyatāṃ
Mereka yang bertanggung jawab atas pengelolaan bait suci dan tugas-tugas terkait hendaklah dipanggil ke hadapanku. Selidiki dan putuskan menurut hukum dan tata cara yang benar; laksanakan titahku sebagaimana mestinya.
Lord Agni (instructing the listener, traditionally Sage Vashistha, on procedural governance of temple affairs)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Arthashastra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Temple administration and adjudication: summoning responsible officers, conducting inquiry, deciding per nyāya (proper law/procedure), and enforcing directives—usable as a governance template for temple management.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Devalaya-adhikāri Inquiry and Decision by Nyāya (Administrative Directive)","lookup_keywords":["devalaya adhikāri","niyoga","nyāya","vicāra","gochara"],"quick_summary":"Temple functionaries are to be summoned, examined, and the matter decided according to proper law and procedure; the authority’s directive must then be implemented."}
Concept: Nyāya (due procedure) and niyoga (enforceable directive) as dharmic instruments for institutional integrity.
Application: For temple disputes/oversight: summon responsible parties, record facts, decide per established rules, and ensure compliance through clear orders.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Devalaya-nirmana & Pratishtha (Temple Rituals and Administration)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Type: Cosmic realm
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"An authority figure convenes temple managers and staff, conducts an inquiry with scribes, and issues a formal directive to be executed.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, council scene in a temple administrative hall: officials seated in rows, palm-leaf scribes, the presiding authority gesturing toward orderly procedure; temple lamps and pillars in stylized flat perspective.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, formal assembly with gold-highlighted throne canopy; temple trustees presented; a decree scroll and seal; rich ornamentation but calm administrative mood.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional governance tableau: presiding judge/authority, summoned temple officers, scribe writing, evidence items on a low table; clear composition emphasizing ‘examine and decide by nyāya’.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed durbar-like hearing with clerks and petitioners; architectural arches, carpets, and a written farmān; restrained palette and fine facial detail."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Khamas","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: devālayādyakartāra = deva-ālaya-ādi-kartāraḥ; āneyāste = āneyāḥ + te; yathānyāyam = yathā + nyāyam (avyayībhāva); pālyatāṃ is लोट्-आत्मनेपद (passive/impersonal injunction).
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Rāja-dharma/administrative materials (where present); Agni Purana: Devalaya-vidhi passages on duties, endowments, and maintenance
FAQs
It teaches procedural governance for temple affairs: summon responsible personnel, conduct an inquiry, and enforce orders according to nyāya (proper rule and due process).
Beyond worship details, it includes institutional administration—how temple duties are supervised, negligence is addressed, and decisions are made by rule—showing the Purana’s coverage of practical governance alongside ritual.
Upholding nyāya and ensuring temple duties are properly performed protects dharma; correcting negligence preserves the sanctity of worship and supports merit (puṇya) through orderly, faithful service.