Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 8
Adhivāsana-vidhi
Procedure for Preliminary Consecration in Vāstu–Pratiṣṭhā / Īśāna-kalpa
वज्रं शक्तिं तथा दण्डं खड्गं पाशं ध्वजंगदां त्रिशूलं चक्रमम्भोजम्पताकास्वर्चयेत् क्रमात्
vajraṃ śaktiṃ tathā daṇḍaṃ khaḍgaṃ pāśaṃ dhvajaṃgadāṃ triśūlaṃ cakramambhojampatākāsvarcayet kramāt
പതാകകളിൽ/ധ്വജസ്ഥാനങ്ങളിൽ ക്രമമായി വജ്രം, ശക്തി, ദണ്ഡം, ഖഡ്ഗം, പാശം, ധ്വജം, ഗദ, ത്രിശൂലം, ചക്രം, അംബോജം (താമര) എന്നിവയെ പൂജിക്കണം.
Lord Agni (in discourse to sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purana narration frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","practical_application":"Sequential worship of divine weapons/implements (āyudha-pūjā) placed on standards/banners as protective and empowering ritual supports.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Āyudha-Pūjā Sequence: Vajra to Lotus on Patākā","lookup_keywords":["vajra","śakti","khaḍga","triśūla","cakra"],"quick_summary":"Worship a fixed sequence of weapons/insignia—thunderbolt through lotus—installing them on banners/standards as ritual supports for protection and success."}
Weapon Type: Vajra, Śakti (spear), Daṇḍa (staff), Khaḍga (sword), Pāśa (noose), Dhvaja (banner), Gadā (mace), Triśūla (trident), Cakra (discus)
Concept: External implements become sacred supports (upakaraṇa-devatā) when ritually honored; order (krama) is itself a discipline.
Application: Perform āyudha-pūjā before protective rites, processions, or major undertakings; keep a consistent sequence and clean, elevated placement.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Iconography and ritual worship of deities/implements)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A row of banners each bearing a sacred weapon emblem—vajra, spear, staff, sword, noose, banner, mace, trident, discus, lotus—being worshipped with flowers and incense in sequence.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, horizontal frieze of patākā-stands with stylized weapon emblems, priest offering lamps, strong outlines, rhythmic repetition, deep reds and greens.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, each weapon emblem rendered with gold embossing on tall standards, ornate altar, rich crimson background, sparkling highlights on vajra and cakra.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional sequence chart with numbered standards and neatly painted weapons, priest performing ārati, soft shading and precise detailing.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, ceremonial courtyard with standards planted, attendants holding banners, priest offering flowers, meticulous metalwork depiction of weapons, fine borders."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Hamsadhwani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ध्वजंगदां → ध्वजम् + गदाम्; चक्रमम्भोजम् → चक्रम् + अम्भोजम्; पताकास्वर्चयेत् → पताकासु + अर्चयेत्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 96 (rakṣā and dvārapāla context; āyudha worship)
FAQs
It teaches the ayudha-puja (worship of sacred weapons/emblems) and the required sequential order (krama) for offering reverence to specific implements—vajra, śakti, daṇḍa, khaḍga, pāśa, dhvaja, gadā, triśūla, cakra, and lotus—arranged on standards/banners.
Beyond mythology, the Agni Purana preserves practical liturgical procedure: how to arrange and worship ritual symbols (weapons, emblems, banners) in a prescribed order, reflecting its broad coverage of temple practice, iconography, and ritual technology.
Ayudha-puja sanctifies instruments of power and protection, aligning them with dharma; performing the worship in proper sequence is traditionally held to increase ritual efficacy, remove obstacles, and confer protective merit (rakṣā) through disciplined, rule-based devotion.