Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 41
Chapter 93 — वास्तुपूजादिविधानम्
Procedure for Vāstu-worship and Related Rites
शाषाकस्य निवेशे च मूर्तिसंस्थापने तथा पायसेन तु नैवेद्यं सर्वेषां वा प्रदापयेत्
śāṣākasya niveśe ca mūrtisaṃsthāpane tathā pāyasena tu naivedyaṃ sarveṣāṃ vā pradāpayet
ശാഷാകയുടെ നിവേശത്തിലും മూర్తി-സ്ഥാപനത്തിലും പായസം (ക്ഷീരം) നൈവേദ്യമായി അർപ്പിക്കണം; അല്ലെങ്കിൽ സർവ്വദേവതകൾക്കും ഒരുമിച്ച് അർപ്പിക്കാം.
Lord Agni (narrating to sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vrata","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Guides naivedya choice (pāyasa) during installation/consecration moments—useful for temple priests and householders performing pratishtha-related offerings.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Pāyasa-naivedya at installation (mūrti-saṃsthāpana)","lookup_keywords":["mūrti-saṃsthāpana","pratiṣṭhā","naivedya","pāyasa","pūjā-vidhi"],"quick_summary":"During installation of the specified component (śāṣāka) and during idol consecration, offer sweet rice (pāyasa) as naivedya; alternatively, offer collectively to all deities."}
Concept: Devotional reciprocity: consecration is sealed through proper offering (naivedya) and inclusivity (offering to all).
Application: At consecrations, prepare clean pāyasa and offer with mantra and purity rules; if multiple deities are present, a collective offering is acceptable.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Pratishtha & Naivedya-Vidhi)
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: Temple/Household shrine
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A consecration scene: a newly installed idol on a pedestal, priests offering a bowl of pāyasa with incense and lamps; devotees stand with folded hands.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, frontal deity on pedestal, priest presenting pāyasa in bronze bowl, oil lamps and conch, warm earthy palette, devotional stillness","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, deity richly adorned with gold foil ornaments, pāyasa bowl highlighted with gold, priest and attendants, ornate arch backdrop","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, delicate lines and soft colors, close-up of naivedya arrangement (pāyasa, flowers, lamp), priest performing ācamana and offering gesture","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, intimate shrine interior, detailed textiles and vessels, priest offering sweet rice, attendants holding fly-whisk and lamp, fine facial expressions"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Madhyamavati","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Related Themes: Agni Purana 93 (vāstupūjā and associated pūjā items); Agni Purana 94 (foundation rites leading into pratishtha sequence)
FAQs
It prescribes a specific naivedya protocol during installation rites: offer pāyasa (sweet milk-rice) as the food offering, optionally as a collective offering to all deities.
Alongside theology, the Agni Purana preserves practical temple-operational details—what to offer and when—showing its coverage of applied ritual procedure (pūjā-vidhi and pratiṣṭhā) in addition to narratives and doctrine.
Correct naivedya at consecration formalizes hospitality to the deity and stabilizes the rite; offering a pure, auspicious food like pāyasa is traditionally held to increase ritual merit and sanctity of the installation.