Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 48
Adhivāsana-vidhi
Procedure for Preliminary Consecration in Vāstu–Pratiṣṭhā / Īśāna-kalpa
देशिको मूर्तिपैः सार्धं कृत्वा कारणशोधनं धर्मजप्तेन सञ्छाट्य पीतवर्णेन वाससा
deśiko mūrtipaiḥ sārdhaṃ kṛtvā kāraṇaśodhanaṃ dharmajaptena sañchāṭya pītavarṇena vāsasā
ദേശിക ആചാര്യന് മൂര്ത്തിപകരോടൊപ്പം കാരണശോധനം നടത്തി, ധര്മ്മമന്ത്രജപംകൊണ്ട് പവിത്രമാക്കിയ മഞ്ഞനിറ വസ്ത്രംകൊണ്ട് തുടച്ച് ശുദ്ധീകരിക്കണം.
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Shilpa","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Before installation, the ācārya-priest and the sculptors/image-makers perform ‘kāraṇa-śodhana’ (purification of causes/agents/material sources), then wipe/cleanse the work/materials using a yellow cloth sanctified by dharma-mantra japa.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Kāraṇa-śodhana with dharma-japa and yellow sanctified cloth","lookup_keywords":["deśika","mūrtipa","kāraṇaśodhana","pītavāsa","dharmajapa"],"quick_summary":"Consecration requires purifying not only the image but also its causal chain—materials, makers, and processes—then ritually wiping with mantra-sanctified yellow cloth."}
Concept: Kāraṇa-śuddhi: sanctity depends on purity of causes (agents, intention, materials), not merely the final object.
Application: Institute ethical/ritual protocols for artisans and materials; accompany physical cleaning with mantra-japa to align intention and action.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Pratishtha & Temple Ritual Procedures)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"An ācārya with artisans stands beside an unfinished/finished image; they perform purification rites over tools and materials; the priest wipes the image/materials with a yellow cloth while reciting dharma-mantras.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, artisan-priest collaboration scene, yellow cloth prominent, ritual implements and sculpting tools shown, calm sanctifying atmosphere inside temple workshop pavilion","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold detailing on tools and pedestal, bright yellow sanctified cloth as focal element, priest reciting japa beads, artisans respectfully assisting","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, technical clarity: artisans, tools, image, and the wiping action with pīta-vastra, subtle inscriptions-like feel, refined lines","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, atelier-like setting with artisans, priest in saffron/yellow cloth wiping the image, detailed textiles and implements, intimate indoor scene"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: deśiko = deśikaḥ (visarga sandhi in pada); mūrtipaiḥ = mūrti-paiḥ; kāraṇaśodhanaṃ = kāraṇa-śodhanam; dharmajaptena = dharma-japtena; pītavarṇena = pīta-varṇena.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 96 (pratiṣṭhā preliminaries and śodhana)
FAQs
It prescribes a pratishtha/pūjā preparatory step: perform kāraṇa-śodhana (purifying the causal factors—materials, agents, implements) and then ritually cleanse by wiping with a yellow cloth empowered through dharma-mantra japa.
It records operational, workshop-level temple practice—coordination between the ācārya and sculptors, material purification, and mantra-empowered cleansing—showing the text’s coverage of applied ritual technology alongside theology.
Mantra-charged purification is intended to remove ritual impurity and defects in the preparatory causes, ensuring the rite proceeds in a dharmic manner and the resulting installation is spiritually efficacious.