Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 15
Chapter 38 — देवालयनिर्माणफलं
The Merit of Constructing a Temple
कर्तुरायतनं विष्णोर्यथोक्तात्त्रिगुणं फलं बन्धूकपुष्पविन्यासैः सुधापङ्केन वैष्णवं
karturāyatanaṃ viṣṇoryathoktāttriguṇaṃ phalaṃ bandhūkapuṣpavinyāsaiḥ sudhāpaṅkena vaiṣṇavaṃ
Bagi pembina atau penaja, tempat suci Viṣṇu yang didirikan menurut ketetapan menghasilkan ganjaran tiga kali ganda. Dan tempat Vaiṣṇava (kuil atau penetapan arca) hendaklah dihias dengan susunan bunga bandhūka serta disapukan lapisan pes kapur (sudhā).
Lord Agni (in Agni Purana’s standard instruction-to-sage frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Shilpa","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Guidance for Vaiṣṇava shrine/image-setting: build the Vishnu sanctuary per prescription for multiplied merit; decorate with bandhūka flowers and apply lime-plaster coating as part of consecratory beautification and maintenance.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Vaiṣṇava āyatana: prescribed construction, bandhūka-puṣpa-vinyāsa, and sudhā-lepa","lookup_keywords":["Vishnu-ayatana","bandhuka-pushpa","pushpa-vinyasa","sudha-lepa","triguna-phala"],"quick_summary":"A properly prescribed Vishnu sanctuary yields threefold fruit to the sponsor; ritual-aesthetic finishing includes arranging bandhūka flowers and applying a lime-plaster (sudhā) coating to sanctify and beautify the shrine."}
Concept: Outer order (proper construction and adornment) supports inner devotion; disciplined compliance with injunctions magnifies spiritual fruit.
Application: When renovating or founding a shrine, follow śilpa/āgamic prescriptions; maintain cleanliness, apply protective plaster, and use appropriate floral offerings.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Vaishnava Temple & Image Consecration (Vishnu-archana, lepa, pushpa-vinyasa)
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Artisans applying white lime-plaster to a Vishnu shrine while devotees arrange bright red bandhūka flowers in patterns around the sanctum entrance; the sponsor observes with folded hands.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: vivid red bandhūka garlands against a white-plastered shrine wall, priests with lamps, artisans with plaster bowls; stylized lotus borders and sacred symmetry.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: Vishnu in sanctum with gold arch; foreground devotees placing bandhūka flowers; shimmering gold highlights on garlands and temple ornaments; white sudhā surfaces gleaming.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: instructional scene focusing on process—mixing sudhā paste, applying lepa evenly, then pushpa-vinyāsa; delicate shading and precise tools.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: detailed workshop-like temple courtyard, plaster application with fine brushes/trowels, floral arrangement in geometric motifs; refined textiles and vessels."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: कर्तुरायतनं = कर्तुः + आयतनम् (visarga before vowel → r); विष्णोर्यथोक्तात् = विष्णोः + यथोक्तात् (visarga before y → r); यथोक्तात्त्रिगुणं = यथोक्तात् + त्रिगुणम् (त् + त् → त्त).
Related Themes: Agni Purana śilpa/mandira-nirmāṇa material; Agni Purana puṣpa, gandha, lepa, and arcana-related puja-vidhi
FAQs
It specifies temple/image finishing in Vaiṣṇava worship: orderly placement of bandhūka flowers (puṣpa-vinyāsa) and application of lime-plaster paste (sudhā-paṅka) as part of preparing or beautifying Viṣṇu’s sanctuary.
Alongside theology, it preserves practical temple-craft details—materials (lime plaster), decorative protocol (flower layout), and stated ritual outcomes (phala)—showing the Purana’s coverage of architecture/ritual technology (Vāstu + Pūjā-vidhi).
Building Viṣṇu’s sanctuary according to prescription is said to yield a “threefold” religious fruit for the patron/creator, framing correct ritual construction and adornment as a high-merit devotional act.