Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 2
Chapter 57 — कुम्भाधिवासविधिः
Kumbhādhivāsa-vidhi: Rite of Installing/Consecrating the Ritual Jar
भूमिं घटे तु सम्पूज्य सरत्ने साङ्गकं हरिं अस्त्रमन्त्रेण करकं तत्र चाष्टशतं यजेत्
bhūmiṃ ghaṭe tu sampūjya saratne sāṅgakaṃ hariṃ astramantreṇa karakaṃ tatra cāṣṭaśataṃ yajet
भूमी व घट (कलश) यांची विधिपूर्वक पूजा करून, रत्नयुक्त पात्र/स्थानी हरिची साङ्ग (अंगन्यास सहित) पूजा करावी. नंतर अस्त्रमंत्राने तेथे करक (जलपात्र) पूजून आठशे आहुती/अर्पणे करावीत।
Lord Agni (in instruction to the sage Vasiṣṭha, as per the typical Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vrata","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Sequential worship: bhūmi and kalaśa pūjā, aṅga-pūjā of Hari, then Astra-mantra worship of the karaka vessel with a specified count (800) of offerings/acts.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Kalaśa-pūjā with Hari-aṅga and Astra-mantra Karaka-arcana (Aṣṭaśata count)","lookup_keywords":["kalasha-puja","hari-anga-puja","astra-mantra","karaka","ashtashata"],"quick_summary":"After worshipping ground and pot, perform Hari’s aṅga-rites in the adorned setting; then consecrate the karaka using the Astra-mantra, completing the prescribed eight-hundred count of offerings/arcana acts."}
Concept: Saṅkhyā-niyama (fixed counts) and mantra-śakti: efficacy is tied to correct sequence, nyāsa/aṅga integration, and disciplined repetition.
Application: Design a pūjā checklist: (1) bhūmi (2) kalaśa (3) Hari with aṅgas (4) karaka with Astra-mantra (5) complete the specified count (800) as per lineage manual.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Kalpa/Ritual Procedure for Worship and Mantra-nyasa)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A gem-adorned altar with a kalaśa; the priest worships Hari with aṅga-rites, then touches/consecrates a karaka vessel while counting a large series of offerings under the Astra-mantra.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, Viṣṇu/Hari icon behind the altar, priest performing aṅga-nyāsa gestures, kalaśa draped and ornamented, karaka vessel foreground, rhythmic repetition implied by repeated offering bowls, bold outlines and sacred palette","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central Viṣṇu with Śaṅkha-Cakra, gold foil on vessels and jewelry, priest at side holding karaka, rows of small offering lamps indicating ‘800’, ornate frame and halo","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, didactic layout: labeled kalaśa, karaka, aṅga-nyāsa hand positions, neat composition, soft colors and fine detailing of ritual implements","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, interior shrine scene with meticulous vessels, priest counting offerings with rosary, subtle depiction of mantra as calligraphic band, rich textiles and architectural niches"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: अस्त्रमन्त्रेण = अस्त्र + मन्त्रेण; चाष्टशतं = च + अष्टशतम्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 57 (kumbhādhivāsa sequence; Astra-mantra appears again in 57.3)
FAQs
It teaches a sequence in worship: bhūmi-pūjā and ghaṭa (kalaśa) pūjā, then Hari’s worship with aṅga-rites, followed by consecrating/worshipping the karaka using the Astra-mantra, with a prescribed count of 800 offerings.
It preserves precise kalpa-style procedural details—ritual order, specific mantra-application (Astra-mantra), and numerical prescription (800)—illustrating the Agni Purāṇa’s compendium-like coverage of practical temple/household worship techniques.
By sanctifying the ritual locus (earth and vessels) and invoking protection through the Astra-mantra, the rite is framed as both purificatory and protective, aiming to make the worship faultless (doṣa-śamana) and merit-bearing (puṇya).