Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 5
Sūrya-pratiṣṭhā-kathana
Account of Installing Sūrya
स्वाम्यन्तमथवादित्यं पादान्तन्नाम धारयेत् सूर्यमन्त्रास्तु पूर्वोक्ता द्रष्टव्याः स्थापनेपि च
svāmyantamathavādityaṃ pādāntannāma dhārayet sūryamantrāstu pūrvoktā draṣṭavyāḥ sthāpanepi ca
അനന്തരം ആദിത്യന്റെ പാദാന്തത്തിൽ ‘സ്വാമിൻ’ എന്നാന്തമുള്ള നാമം ധരിപ്പിക്കണം (അങ്കിതമാക്കണം). മുൻപ് ഉപദേശിച്ച സൂര്യമന്ത്രങ്ങൾ സ്ഥാപനം ചെയ്യുന്ന കർമത്തിലും പ്രയോഗിക്കേണ്ടതാണ്।
Lord Agni (narrating Agni Purana’s ritual procedures to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Name-inscription/assignment conventions and reuse of previously taught Sūrya-mantras during installation rites.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Sūrya Name-Ending ‘Svāmin’ and Mantra Reapplication in Pratiṣṭhā","lookup_keywords":["āditya","svāmin-nāma","pāda","sūrya-mantra","sthāpana"],"quick_summary":"Assign the ‘svāmin’-ending name to Āditya in the specified pāda-position, and apply the already-taught Sūrya-mantras again during installation—continuity of mantra-authority across rites."}
Concept: Nāma and mantra function as ‘identity-seals’ (saṃjñā/śabda) that stabilize the deity’s presence in the installed form.
Application: Maintain consistency: use the same authorized Sūrya-mantras previously taught when performing sthāpana; treat naming as a binding step in consecration.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Pratishtha (Solar icon-installation and mantra-usage)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritual specialist inscribes or recites the ‘svāmin’-ending name for Āditya at a specified quarter/pāda position on a pedestal/plate, while consulting earlier mantra lists for Sūrya during installation.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, guru holding palm-leaf manuscript, writing/marking a pedestal with ‘…svāmin’, Sūrya emblem glowing above, lamps and conch nearby, strong outlines and muted reds/ochres.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, close-up consecration scene: gold-embossed Sūrya halo, priest inscribing name on a golden plate, ornate borders, rich jewel tones and heavy gilding.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore, instructional composition showing the pāda divisions on a diagrammed base, the ‘svāmin’ name placed at the quarter-end, priest pointing while chanting, fine lines and gentle colors.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, scribe-like priest writing on a tablet beside a small Sūrya idol, manuscript open with mantra lines, detailed textiles and architectural niche, delicate brushwork."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: svāmyantam = svāmi + antam; pādāntannāma = pādānta + nāma; sūryamantrāstu = sūryamantrāḥ + tu; sthāpanepi = sthāpane + api.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 99 (earlier Sūrya-mantras ‘pūrvoktāḥ’); Agni Purana 100 (installation-related rites)
FAQs
It gives a practical rule for Sūrya-pratiṣṭhā: the deity’s appellation is to be set with the honorific “svāmin” and the earlier-taught Sūrya-mantras must be used during installation.
It exemplifies the Agni Purana’s manual-like coverage of temple ritual technology—linking naming conventions, metrical/ritual placement (pāda-anta), and mantra deployment within a formal pratiṣṭhā procedure.
Following the correct name-form and prescribed Sūrya-mantras is presented as ensuring ritual correctness (śuddhi) and effective consecration, aligning the act of installation with dharmic order and devotional merit.