Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 32
Chapter 41 — शिलाविन्यासविधानं
The Procedure for Laying the Stones / Foundation Setting
पीठबन्धोपरिष्ठात्तु वास्तुयागं पुनर्यजेत् पादप्रतिष्ठाकारी तु निष्पापो दिवि मोदते
pīṭhabandhopariṣṭhāttu vāstuyāgaṃ punaryajet pādapratiṣṭhākārī tu niṣpāpo divi modate
ເມື່ອ «ປີຖະ-ບັນທະ» (ການຜູກຖານ/ຊັ້ນຄາດຖານ) ສຳເລັດແລ້ວ ຄວນປະກອບ «ວາສຕຸ-ຢາກະ» (ພິທີບູຊາວາສຕຸ) ອີກຄັ້ງ. ຜູ້ປະກອບ «ປາດະ-ປຣະຕິສຖາ» (ພິທີສະຖາປະນາຖານ/ຕີນຖານ) ຈະພົ້ນບາບ ແລະຊື່ນບານໃນສະຫວັນ.
Lord Agni (traditionally narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Ritual checkpoint: after completing pitha-bandha, repeat the Vastu-yajna; perform pada-pratishtha for purification and merit.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Vastu-yaga repetition after Pitha-bandha and merit of Pada-pratishtha","lookup_keywords":["pitha-bandha","vastu-yaga","punar-yajet","pada-pratishtha","punya"],"quick_summary":"Once the plinth-bonding is finished, the Vāstu-sacrifice is performed again; the one who establishes the foundation consecration gains sinlessness and heavenly fruition."}
Concept: Karma-phala: correct ritual observance during construction purifies the agent and sacralizes the space.
Application: Schedule yajña/propitiation at prescribed construction milestones to align craft with dharma.
Khanda Section: Vāstu-śāstra (Temple Architecture and Consecration Rites)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: shraddha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"After the plinth course is finished, priests perform a Vastu-yajna beside the foundation; offerings into fire, ritual vessels, and the marked temple grid; the pada-pratishtha moment is highlighted.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, sacred fire altar near a newly built plinth, priests in white performing homa, craftsmen watching, temple grid lines, stylized flames and ritual kalashas, ornate frame","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, brilliant homa fire with gold leaf, priests offering ghee, completed pitha-bandha shown with gilded mouldings, auspicious symbols, lamps and bells","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clear depiction of ritual sequence: plinth completed, homa-kunda, offerings, pada-pratishtha markers on the ground, calm instructional composition","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed yajna scene at a construction site, fire altar, attendants holding vessels, architect and patron present, fine textiles and precise architectural rendering"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: pīṭhabandha+upariṣṭhāt+tu→pīṭhabandhopariṣṭhāttu; punar+yajet→punaryajet
Related Themes: Agni Purana 41 (vāstu-yāga, pratiṣṭhā stages)
FAQs
It prescribes a construction-linked ritual sequence in Vāstu-śāstra: once the plinth-bonding (pīṭha-bandha) is completed, the Vāstu-yāga should be repeated, and it highlights the specific rite of pāda-pratiṣṭhā (foundation/footing establishment).
It shows the Agni Purana treating architecture as a sacred science—blending engineering stages (plinth/foundation) with repeatable sacrificial rites (Vāstu-yāga), illustrating how the text integrates practical building protocols with ritual theology.
The verse explicitly states that performing pāda-pratiṣṭhā confers purification: the officiant becomes niṣpāpa (free of sin) and attains heavenly joy (divi modate), framing correct ritual practice as a source of merit.