Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 20
Chapter 43 — प्रासाददेवतास्थापनम्
Installation of Deities in a Temple
विष्णुबिम्बार्थमस्माकं यात्रैषा केशवाज्ञया विष्ण्वर्थं यद्भवेत् कार्यं युष्माकमपि तद्भवेत्
viṣṇubimbārthamasmākaṃ yātraiṣā keśavājñayā viṣṇvarthaṃ yadbhavet kāryaṃ yuṣmākamapi tadbhavet
Ziarah suci kami ini dilaksanakan atas perintah Keśava, demi bimba (arca/ikon) Viṣṇu. Apa jua khidmat yang perlu dilakukan bagi tujuan Viṣṇu, hendaklah kamu juga melaksanakannya.
Lord Agni (narrating the Purana’s instruction in dialogue form)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vrata","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Pilgrimage framed as service to Viṣṇu’s icon (bimba): organizing collective duty, permissions, and shared responsibility for temple/icon-related work.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Yātrā for Viṣṇu-bimba under Keśava’s Command","lookup_keywords":["tīrtha-yātrā","viṣṇu-bimba","keśava-ājñā","sevā","bhakti"],"quick_summary":"A pilgrimage is legitimized as divinely commanded service to Viṣṇu’s icon; all participants are enjoined to contribute to whatever work benefits Viṣṇu’s purpose."}
Concept: Sevā-bhāva: pilgrimage is not mere travel but purposeful service to the deity’s presence through the icon.
Application: Treat yātrā as disciplined devotional work—funding, carrying materials, arranging worship, supporting artisans/priests—done as shared obligation.
Khanda Section: Tirtha-yatra & Vishnu-bhakti (Pilgrimage and devotional instruction)
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: Tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Pilgrims address local helpers/attendants, declaring the journey is by Keśava’s command for Viṣṇu’s icon; they invite everyone to participate in the deity’s service.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, procession of devotees with flags and lamps, a covered palanquin carrying a Viṣṇu icon, leader gesturing instruction, lush temple landscape, devotional solemnity.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, Viṣṇu bimba emphasized with gold halo and ornaments, devotees offering garlands and coins, rich gold work on icon and arch, theme of sevā.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear narrative panel: leader speaking, attendants preparing offerings and travel supplies for icon service, delicate pastel palette, instructional clarity.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, caravan scene with detailed costumes, a small shrine-box containing the icon, courtly composition, inscription cartouche indicating Keśava’s command."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: विष्णुबिम्बार्थम् = विष्णु + बिम्ब + अर्थम्; यात्रैषा = यात्रा + एषा; केशवाज्ञया = केशव + आज्ञया; विष्ण्वर्थम् = विष्णु + अर्थम् (u+ a sandhi); यद्भवेत् = यत् + भवेत्; युष्माकमपि = युष्माकम् + अपि; तद्भवेत् = तत् + भवेत्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Viṣṇu-pūjā procedures and bimba-pratiṣṭhā related sections elsewhere in the Purana; Agni Purana: Tīrtha-māhātmya and bhakti instructions in adjacent chapters
FAQs
It frames tīrtha-yātrā as Viṣṇu-directed duty and emphasizes viṣṇv-artha-kārya—practical devotional service connected to the Lord’s icon (bimba), i.e., temple-centered seva rather than mere travel.
Alongside theology, the Agni Purana preserves applied religious practice: pilgrimage rationale, icon-centered worship, and the ethic of shared responsibility in ritual service—linking doctrine (bhakti) with actionable temple/ritual conduct.
By aligning one’s journey and actions with Keśava’s injunction and dedicating works to Viṣṇu, the verse implies purification and merit through niṣkāma-sevā (service oriented to the deity’s purpose) rather than self-centered intention.