Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 4
Chapter 76 — चण्डपूजाकथनम्
Narration of the Worship of Caṇḍa/Caṇḍeśa
नाराचमुद्रयास्त्रेण फडन्तेनात्मसञ्चयं संहृत्य दिव्यया लिङ्गं मूर्तिमन्त्रेण योजयेत्
nārācamudrayāstreṇa phaḍantenātmasañcayaṃ saṃhṛtya divyayā liṅgaṃ mūrtimantreṇa yojayet
നാരാചമുദ്രയോടുകൂടി ‘ഫട്’ അന്ത്യമുള്ള അസ്ത്രമന്ത്രംകൊണ്ട് അന്തർഗതമായി സമാഹരിച്ച പ്രാണശക്തിയെ സംഹരിച്ചു, ദിവ്യ മൂർത്തിമന്ത്രംകൊണ്ട് ലിംഗത്തെ യോജിപ്പിച്ച് (ശക്തീകരിച്ച്) സ്ഥാപിക്കണം।
Lord Agni (teaching ritual procedure to sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purāṇa’s discourse frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Liṅga-pratiṣṭhā/saṃskāra in Śaiva pūjā: perform mudrā + astra-mantra (phaṭ) for saṃhāra/śodhana and then mantra-yoga (mūrti-mantra) to empower the liṅga.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Nārāca-mudrā + Astra-mantra (phaṭ) for saṃhāra and liṅga-mantra-yoga","lookup_keywords":["Nārāca-mudrā","astra-mantra","phaṭ","liṅga-pratiṣṭhā","mūrti-mantra"],"quick_summary":"Withdraw and consolidate inner energies using Nārāca-mudrā with the astra-mantra ending in phaṭ (protective/clearing act), then unite/infuse the liṅga with the divine mūrti-mantra for consecration."}
Concept: Mantra-mudrā as instruments to internalize (saṃhṛtya) and then externalize sacred power into a liṅga (mantra-yoga of mūrti).
Application: Use controlled nyāsa/saṃhāra before consecration to avoid ‘leakage’ of ritual intent and to stabilize the installed form.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Linga-pratishtha and Mantra-tantra (Ritual installation using mudrā, astra-mantra, and mūrti-mantra)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: śānta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A Śaiva officiant performs Nārāca-mudrā, recites an astra-mantra ending in phaṭ to withdraw energies inward, then touches/gestures toward a liṅga to unite it with the mūrti-mantra for consecration.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, priest in white dhoti before a black stone Śiva-liṅga on a pedestal, stylized hand-mudrā (Nārāca), glowing mantra-syllables ‘phaṭ’ in red, lamp-lit sanctum, flat bold colors, sacred geometry aura.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, richly ornamented liṅga with gold leaf halo, priest performing mudrā, embossed gold for mantra aura, deep reds and greens, temple lamps, consecration moment.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clean linework showing stepwise ritual: mudrā, astra-mantra ‘phaṭ’, then mūrti-mantra infusion into liṅga; muted palette, instructional clarity, small labels near gestures.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed shrine interior with attendants, priest gesturing mudrā toward liṅga, calligraphic ‘phaṭ’ motif, fine textiles, architectural niche, delicate shading."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: नाराचमुद्रयास्त्रेण = नाराच-मुद्रया + अस्त्रेण; फडन्तेनात्मसञ्चयं = फडन्तेन + आत्म-सञ्चयम्.
Related Themes: Agni Purāṇa 76 (pūjā-vidhi: mudrā/mantra-prayoga; nyāsa/kavaca sequence continues in 76.5–76.8)
FAQs
It teaches a consecration step in liṅga-pratiṣṭhā: using the Nārāca-mudrā together with the protective astra-mantra ending in “phaṭ” to withdraw and seal inner energies, then empowering the liṅga through the deity’s mūrti-mantra.
It preserves precise, technical liturgical instructions—mudrā application, mantra endings like “phaṭ,” and the sequencing of protective and installation mantras—showing the Agni Purāṇa’s coverage of temple ritual technology alongside its many other disciplines.
The step is meant to purify and protect the rite (astra + “phaṭ”), concentrate the practitioner’s inner power, and properly ‘seat’ the deity’s presence in the liṅga via the mūrti-mantra, supporting a faultless, merit-bearing installation.