Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 32
Chapter 41 — शिलाविन्यासविधानं
The Procedure for Laying the Stones / Foundation Setting
पीठबन्धोपरिष्ठात्तु वास्तुयागं पुनर्यजेत् पादप्रतिष्ठाकारी तु निष्पापो दिवि मोदते
pīṭhabandhopariṣṭhāttu vāstuyāgaṃ punaryajet pādapratiṣṭhākārī tu niṣpāpo divi modate
पीठबन्ध पूर्ण झाल्यावर पुन्हा वास्तुयाग करावा. पादप्रतिष्ठा करणारा निष्पाप होऊन स्वर्गात आनंद भोगतो.
Lord Agni (traditionally narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Ritual checkpoint: after completing pitha-bandha, repeat the Vastu-yajna; perform pada-pratishtha for purification and merit.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Vastu-yaga repetition after Pitha-bandha and merit of Pada-pratishtha","lookup_keywords":["pitha-bandha","vastu-yaga","punar-yajet","pada-pratishtha","punya"],"quick_summary":"Once the plinth-bonding is finished, the Vāstu-sacrifice is performed again; the one who establishes the foundation consecration gains sinlessness and heavenly fruition."}
Concept: Karma-phala: correct ritual observance during construction purifies the agent and sacralizes the space.
Application: Schedule yajña/propitiation at prescribed construction milestones to align craft with dharma.
Khanda Section: Vāstu-śāstra (Temple Architecture and Consecration Rites)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: shraddha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"After the plinth course is finished, priests perform a Vastu-yajna beside the foundation; offerings into fire, ritual vessels, and the marked temple grid; the pada-pratishtha moment is highlighted.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, sacred fire altar near a newly built plinth, priests in white performing homa, craftsmen watching, temple grid lines, stylized flames and ritual kalashas, ornate frame","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, brilliant homa fire with gold leaf, priests offering ghee, completed pitha-bandha shown with gilded mouldings, auspicious symbols, lamps and bells","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clear depiction of ritual sequence: plinth completed, homa-kunda, offerings, pada-pratishtha markers on the ground, calm instructional composition","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed yajna scene at a construction site, fire altar, attendants holding vessels, architect and patron present, fine textiles and precise architectural rendering"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: pīṭhabandha+upariṣṭhāt+tu→pīṭhabandhopariṣṭhāttu; punar+yajet→punaryajet
Related Themes: Agni Purana 41 (vāstu-yāga, pratiṣṭhā stages)
FAQs
It prescribes a construction-linked ritual sequence in Vāstu-śāstra: once the plinth-bonding (pīṭha-bandha) is completed, the Vāstu-yāga should be repeated, and it highlights the specific rite of pāda-pratiṣṭhā (foundation/footing establishment).
It shows the Agni Purana treating architecture as a sacred science—blending engineering stages (plinth/foundation) with repeatable sacrificial rites (Vāstu-yāga), illustrating how the text integrates practical building protocols with ritual theology.
The verse explicitly states that performing pāda-pratiṣṭhā confers purification: the officiant becomes niṣpāpa (free of sin) and attains heavenly joy (divi modate), framing correct ritual practice as a source of merit.