Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 15
Chapter 326 — देवालयमाहात्म्यम्
The Glory of Temples
त्रिसन्ध्यं योर्चयेल्लिङ्गं कृत्वा विल्वेन पार्थिवम् शतैकादशिकं यावत् कुलमुद्धृत्य नाकभाक्
trisandhyaṃ yorcayelliṅgaṃ kṛtvā vilvena pārthivam śataikādaśikaṃ yāvat kulamuddhṛtya nākabhāk
ಪ್ರಾತಃ, ಮಧ್ಯಾಹ್ನ, ಸಾಯಂಕಾಲ—ಮೂರು ಸಂಧ್ಯೆಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಮಣ್ಣಿನ ಲಿಂಗವನ್ನು ಮಾಡಿ ಬಿಲ್ವಪತ್ರಗಳಿಂದ ಅರ್ಚಿಸುವವನು, ತನ್ನ ಕುಲವನ್ನು ನೂರ ಹನ್ನೊಂದು ತಲೆಮಾರುಗಳವರೆಗೆ ಉದ್ಧರಿಸಿ ಸ್ವರ್ಗಭಾಗಿಯಾಗುತ್ತಾನೆ.
Lord Agni (teaching the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vrata","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Performing tri-sandhyā liṅga-arcana using a simple earthen liṅga and bilva leaves; adopting a daily schedule of worship tied to sandhyā times.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Tri-Sandhyā Pārthiva-Liṅga Pūjā with Bilva","lookup_keywords":["tri-sandhyā","pārthiva-liṅga","bilva-patra","liṅga-arcana","kuloddhāra"],"quick_summary":"Worship at dawn, noon, and dusk with an earthen liṅga and bilva offering is praised as highly efficacious, extending merit to ancestors/descendants and granting heavenly attainment."}
Alamkara Type: Saṅkhyā (numerical specification)
Concept: Nitya-upāsanā (regular worship) sanctifies time (sandhyā) and self; simple materials with sincerity yield expansive spiritual benefit.
Application: Adopt sandhyā-based routine: create a clean spot, fashion a small clay liṅga, offer bilva and water, conclude respectfully; keep consistency over grandeur.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Lingarcana and Shiva worship rites)
Primary Rasa: Adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: Śānta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"At three times of day, a devotee fashions a small clay liṅga, places it on a simple base, and offers bilva leaves and water—shown as a disciplined daily cycle with sunrise, midday sun, and twilight backdrop.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural triptych: dawn, noon, dusk panels; devotee kneeling before a small earthen liṅga, offering bilva; glowing lamps at dusk; stylized sun positions; calm sacred rhythm.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central liṅga with bilva garland and gold-leaf aura; three small medallions showing sunrise/noon/twilight worship; ornate borders, rich devotional opulence despite simple earthen icon.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, step-by-step instructional scene: clay being shaped into liṅga, placement on leaf/plate, bilva offering; clean composition, soft colors, emphasis on method and timing icons (sun positions).","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, realistic household courtyard: devotee at a low altar with clay liṅga and bilva; background shows changing sky tones for three sandhyās; fine detail of leaves and vessels."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: योर्चयेल्लिङ्गं = यः + अर्चयेत् + लिङ्गम् (ः + अ → ओ; त् + ल → ल्ल); कुलमुद्धृत्य = कुलम् + उद्धृत्य; नाकभाक् = नाक-भाक्
Related Themes: Agni Purana Puja-vidhi on sandhyā and nitya-karma; Agni Purana instructions on bilva and Śiva offerings
FAQs
It prescribes trisandhyā liṅga-arcana: worship of an earthen (pārthiva) Śiva-liṅga three times daily, specifically using bilva leaves as the principal offering.
It exemplifies the Agni Purana’s practical ritual manuals (pūjā-vidhi), giving concrete, repeatable household/temple procedures—materials (clay liṅga, bilva) and schedule (three sandhyās)—alongside stated religious outcomes.
The act is said to generate exceptional merit: it elevates one’s lineage up to 111 generations and grants heavenly attainment (svarga/nāka).