Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 50
Chapter 38 — देवालयनिर्माणफलं
The Merit of Constructing a Temple
अग्निर् उवाच यमोक्ता नानयंस्तेथ प्रतिष्ठादिकृतं हरेः हयशीर्षः प्रतिष्ठार्थं देवानां ब्रह्मणे ऽब्रवीत्
agnir uvāca yamoktā nānayaṃstetha pratiṣṭhādikṛtaṃ hareḥ hayaśīrṣaḥ pratiṣṭhārthaṃ devānāṃ brahmaṇe 'bravīt
អគ្និបាននិយាយថា៖ បន្ទាប់មក ពួកទេវតាទាំងនោះ ដោយបានណែនាំតាមព្រះយម (Yama) បាននាំមកនូវពិធីប្រតិષ્ઠា និងវិធីការដទៃទៀតសម្រាប់ហរិ (វិṣṇុ)។ ដើម្បីបង្កើតការប្រតិષ્ઠាឲ្យត្រឹមត្រូវ ហយគ្រីវ (Hayagrīva) បានប្រាប់ព្រះព្រហ្មា ជំនួសពួកទេវតា។
Lord Agni
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Samanya","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Establishes the narrative authority-chain for pratiṣṭhā rites (Yama’s instruction → gods’ adoption → Hayagrīva’s teaching to Brahmā), supporting ritual legitimacy and transmission.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Pratiṣṭhā-vidhi-pravṛtti (Origin and transmission of consecration rites)","lookup_keywords":["agni-uvaca","yama-ukta","pratishtha-vidhi","hayashirsha","brahma"],"quick_summary":"Consecration procedures for Hari are presented as divinely authorized and transmitted through Hayagrīva to Brahmā for the gods’ benefit, grounding later ritual details."}
Concept: Śāstra-prāmāṇya via paramparā: rites gain validity through recognized divine/ṛṣi transmission.
Application: When teaching or performing pratiṣṭhā, cite lineage/authority and adhere to received procedure to preserve ritual efficacy.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Pratishtha-vidhi (Temple installation and consecration rites)
Primary Rasa: Adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: Śānta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Agni narrates; the gods assemble; Yama indicates the proper rite; Hayagrīva addresses Brahmā, transmitting consecration knowledge for Hari.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: divine council scene with Agni as narrator, Yama holding a staff, Brahmā four-faced seated on lotus, Hayagrīva with horse head and serene aura teaching; rich ornamental framing.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: central Hayagrīva with gold halo, Brahmā receiving instruction; side figures of Yama and assembled devas; gold-embossed ornaments and temple arch motif.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: calm didactic scene, Hayagrīva gesturing as teacher, Brahmā with palm-leaf manuscript; Agni at side as narrator; minimal background for clarity.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: court-like divine assembly, Hayagrīva presenting a scroll to Brahmā; Yama and devas in attendance; fine textiles and architectural pavilion."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: agnir uvāca → agniḥ uvāca; nānayaṃstetha → na ānayan te iha; brahmaṇe 'bravīt → brahmaṇe abravīt.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 39 (Hayagrīva’s forthcoming exposition)
FAQs
It frames the transmission of Pratiṣṭhā-vidhi—formal idol/temple installation and its allied ritual procedures—linking the method to authoritative speakers (Yama, Hayagrīva, Brahmā).
By situating a specialized temple-ritual manual (installation protocol for Hari) within a narrated chain of instruction, it exemplifies how the Agni Purana compiles practical liturgical systems alongside theology and mythic authority.
Correctly performed pratiṣṭhā is presented as a dharmic act that establishes sacred presence (devatā-sannidhāna) and yields lasting religious merit through properly authorized ritual procedure.