Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 60
Adhivāsana-vidhi
Procedure for Preliminary Consecration in Vāstu–Pratiṣṭhā / Īśāna-kalpa
रेखात्रयेण सम्बद्धं कारयेत् पृष्टदेशगं रत्नजे लक्षणोद्धारो यवौ हेमसमुद्भवे
rekhātrayeṇa sambaddhaṃ kārayet pṛṣṭadeśagaṃ ratnaje lakṣaṇoddhāro yavau hemasamudbhave
तीन रेषांनी संयुक्त असे शुभलक्षण पाठीच्या भागावर करवावे. रत्नज वस्तूमध्ये लक्षणोद्धार ठरवावा; आणि सुवर्णसमुद्भव वस्तूस ‘यव’ हे लक्षण विहित आहे.
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Samanya","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Gem/metal objects are examined for auspicious surface-marks (rekhā, yava etc.) and those marks are deliberately inscribed/verified on the prescribed region (pṛṣṭha-deśa) to ensure śubhatva in ornaments, seals, yantras, or ritual articles.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Rekhā-traya & Yava-lakṣaṇa for Ratna/Haima Objects","lookup_keywords":["rekhā-traya","pṛṣṭha-deśa","lakṣaṇa-uddhāra","yava-lakṣaṇa","hema-samudbhava"],"quick_summary":"Auspicious marks are assessed/created by prescribed line-patterns; for gold-origin objects the ‘yava’ mark is specified, and for gem-origin items the lakṣaṇa is determined by ratna-lakṣaṇa rules."}
Concept: Śubha-lakṣaṇa (auspicious sign) is knowable and reproducible through rule-governed observation and craft-practice.
Application: Standardize inspection/marking protocols for valuable materials to reduce defects and ensure ritual/royal acceptability.
Khanda Section: Ratna-pariksha / Lakshana-shastra (Gemology and auspicious marks)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A craftsman-gemologist examines a gem and a gold object, inscribing/confirming a connected tri-line mark on the back surface; a barley-grain ‘yava’ motif is shown as the gold-specific auspicious sign.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, artisan seated with palm-leaf manual, gem and gold ornament on a low wooden stool, clear tri-line rekhā motif and yava mark indicated, earthy reds/ochres, flat iconic composition.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central gold ornament with embossed gold-leaf highlighting the yava mark, attendant artisan holding stylus, decorative borders, rich reds and greens, jewel-like detailing.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, instructional diagram feel: close view of back-region marking with three connected lines and yava motif, fine linework, soft shading, muted palette.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, court workshop scene with gem-tester and goldsmith, delicate instruments, labeled tri-line mark and yava motif, architectural atelier background, fine detailing."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: लक्षणोद्धारः = लक्षण + उद्धारः; रेखात्रयेण is a dvigu compound (त्रय-). No major external sandhi beyond standard vowel coalescence in compounds.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 96 (Ratna-parīkṣā / Lakṣaṇa-śāstra context); Agni Purana sections on Śilpa and Pratiṣṭhā-vidhi (general)
FAQs
It gives a technical rule from Ratna-parīkṣā/Lakṣaṇa-śāstra: how to recognize or inscribe auspicious markings—specifically a mark connected with three lines on the back region, and the ‘yava’ (barley-grain) sign for items associated with gold.
Beyond mythology, the Agni Purana preserves applied knowledge such as gem-and-metal lore, omenology, and craft guidelines—showing how ritual, material culture, and technical identification (lakṣaṇa) were systematized.
Correct identification and use of auspicious marks is treated as a way to ensure śubhatva (beneficial outcomes) in ritual or auspicious use of valuables, minimizing doṣa (inauspiciousness) and supporting merit through proper observance.