Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 2
अध्याय ७३: सूर्यपूजाविधिः
Sūrya-pūjā-vidhi — The Procedure for Sun-Worship
पूरयेद्रक्तवर्णेन ललाटाकृष्टविन्दुना तं संपूज्य रवेरङ्गैः कृत्वा रक्षावगुण्ठनं
pūrayedraktavarṇena lalāṭākṛṣṭavindunā taṃ saṃpūjya raveraṅgaiḥ kṛtvā rakṣāvaguṇṭhanaṃ
നെറ്റിയിൽ നിന്നെടുത്ത ബിന്ദുവാൽ ചുവന്ന വർണ്ണം (രക്തചന്ദനം മുതലായവ) ഉപയോഗിച്ച് (നിർദ്ദിഷ്ട സ്ഥലം/ആകൃതി) പൂരിപ്പിക്കണം. തുടർന്ന് ആ ചിഹ്നത്തെ രവിയുടെ അങ്കോപചാരങ്ങളാൽ സമ്യക് പൂജിച്ച് രക്ഷാവഗുണ്ഠനം (രക്ഷാ-ആവരണം) നിർവഹിക്കണം।
Lord Agni (narrating to sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Puja-vidhi","practical_application":"Ritual marking and protection: create a red mark/diagram using a bindu associated with the forehead, then perform rakṣā-ava-guṇṭhana (protective veiling) after worship.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Rakṣā-Avaguṇṭhana with Red Bindu Mark in Sūrya-pūjā","lookup_keywords":["rakṣā-avaguṇṭhana","rakta-varṇa","bindu","lalāṭa","maṇḍala"],"quick_summary":"A red bindu/mark is prepared (linked to the forehead), worshipped with solar aṅga-offerings, and followed by a protective covering rite to seal the worship-space and practitioner."}
Concept: Rakṣā as boundary-making: transforming ordinary space into consecrated space through mark (bindu) and protective veiling.
Application: After establishing the mark/maṇḍala, consciously ‘close’ the rite with protective intention—mentally and ritually—before proceeding to further worship or concluding.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Ritual worship procedures and protective rites)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A devotee draws a small red bindu/diagram, touches the forehead, then marks the ritual spot; offerings are placed, and a protective veil/gesture is performed around the worship area.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: close-up ritual scene—devotee applying red pigment, a clear bindu on a small maṇḍala; stylized sun emblem; protective circular gesture around the altar; earthy reds prominent.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: ornate altar with a red bindu at center; gold-highlighted sun motif; devotee performing protective avaguṇṭhana gesture; rich crimson and gold emphasis.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: instructional depiction of steps—forehead dot, transfer to maṇḍala, then protective covering gesture; fine lines, minimal background, clarity of hand positions.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: intimate indoor shrine scene; artisan-like detail of pigment bowl and brush; devotee marking the altar; subtle haloed sun symbol; delicate borders."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Lalit","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पूरयेद् + रक्तवर्णेन → पूरयेद्रक्तवर्णेन (द् + र). रवेरङ्गैः = रवेः + अङ्गैः (विसर्ग-लोपः, ए + अ). रक्षा-अवगुण्ठनम् समासः।
Related Themes: Agni Purana passages on rakṣā-bandhana/avaguṇṭhana in pūjā contexts (where present); Agni Purana Sūrya-pūjā continuation verses (73.3–)
FAQs
It teaches a protective ritual method: marking/filling the prescribed spot with red pigment using a forehead-derived bindu, then completing worship through Surya’s aṅgas (constituent offerings/auxiliary acts) to seal the rite as a rakṣā-avaguṇṭhana (protective covering).
Alongside theology, the Agni Purana preserves practical liturgical technology—precise instructions for markings, offerings, and protection-rites—showing its role as a ritual handbook in addition to a narrative Purana.
The rite is framed as apotropaic: the red mark and Surya-worship function as a sanctifying seal intended to ward off harm, strengthen auspiciousness, and establish protective spiritual merit through disciplined procedure.