Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 16
Chapter 43 — प्रासाददेवतास्थापनम्
Installation of Deities in a Temple
प्रतिमार्थं वनं गत्वा व्रजयागं समाचरेत् तत्र खात्वोपलिप्याथ मण्डपे तु हरिं यजेत्
pratimārthaṃ vanaṃ gatvā vrajayāgaṃ samācaret tatra khātvopalipyātha maṇḍape tu hariṃ yajet
Demi bahan bagi arca suci (pratimā), hendaklah pergi ke hutan dan melaksanakan Vrajayāga menurut tatacara. Di sana, setelah menggali tapak dan menyalutnya (dengan plaster), hendaklah memuja Hari (Viṣṇu) di dalam maṇḍapa (paviliun upacara).
Lord Agni (narrating the ritual procedure to sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Shilpa","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Ritualized procurement of materials and site-preparation for image-making and consecration: selecting forest materials, performing Vrajayāga, preparing and using a maṇḍapa for Hari worship.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Pratimā-kārya: Forest procurement, Vrajayāga, and Maṇḍapa worship of Hari","lookup_keywords":["pratimā","vana-gamana","vrajayāga","maṇḍapa-vidhāna","hari-pūjā"],"quick_summary":"For image-work, one goes to the forest, performs Vrajayāga, prepares the site by digging and plastering, and worships Hari in a maṇḍapa—establishing ritual purity and divine sanction before construction/consecration."}
Concept: Kriyā-śuddhi: sanctifying material acquisition and workspace through yajña and pūjā before sacred craftsmanship.
Application: Integrate ethical sourcing and ritual purification into temple/image projects to align craft with dharma and devotion.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Pratima-pratishtha & Mandapa-vidhana)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
Type: Sacred grove/Forest
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Artisans and priests enter a forest to gather sacred materials; a cleared site is dug and plastered; a decorated maṇḍapa stands where Hari is worshiped before beginning image-work.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: forest with stylized trees, priests performing Vrajayāga near a small fire, artisans carrying tools and materials, freshly plastered ground and a simple maṇḍapa with Viṣṇu icon, serene devotional palette.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: ornate maṇḍapa with gold highlights, Viṣṇu/Hari central, priests with lamps, background vignette of forest material-gathering, rich jewel tones and embossed gold.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: step-by-step instructional scene—forest procurement on one side, site digging and plastering in center, maṇḍapa worship on the other; fine lines, readable ritual implements.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: detailed forest excursion with attendants, then a pavilion scene with Hari worship; delicate architecture, patterned textiles, careful depiction of tools and plastered ground."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Kedar","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: pratimārthaṃ = pratimā-artham (avyayībhāva); khātvopalipyātha = khātvā upalipya atha.
Related Themes: Agni Purana chapters on pratimā-lakṣaṇa and pratiṣṭhā-vidhi (related sections); Agni Purana pūjā-vidhi sequences around maṇḍapa and homa
FAQs
It teaches a practical sequence in image-worship: procure image-related materials (from the forest), perform the prescribed Vrajayāga, prepare the site by digging and ritual plastering, and then worship Viṣṇu in a consecrated pavilion (maṇḍapa).
It preserves hands-on liturgical and temple-practice details—site preparation, pavilion worship, and named ritual modules (like Vrajayāga)—showing the text’s coverage beyond mythology into procedural religion and sacred architecture praxis.
The verse emphasizes purity and correctness of worship: preparing a clean, ritually fit space and honoring Hari through prescribed rites is presented as a meritorious act that supports purification and proper consecration of image-based devotion.