Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 13
Chapter 61 — द्वारप्रतिष्ठाध्वजारोहाणादिविधिः
Gateway Installation, Flag Hoisting, and Allied Rites
ततः पश्चाद्वेदिबन्धं तदूर्ध्वं कण्ठबन्धनं कण्ठोपरिष्टात् कर्तव्यं विमलामलसारकं
tataḥ paścādvedibandhaṃ tadūrdhvaṃ kaṇṭhabandhanaṃ kaṇṭhopariṣṭāt kartavyaṃ vimalāmalasārakaṃ
Sesudah itu hendaklah dibuat ikatan pelantar korban (vedi-bandha). Di atasnya pula hendaklah disediakan “ikatan leher” (kaṇṭha-bandhana), dibuat di bahagian atas leher; hendaklah bersih, tanpa noda, serta kukuh dan berinti (sāraka).
Lord Agni (in discourse to sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purana narration frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Ritual construction sequencing for a vedī (altar): forming the vedi-bandha and the kaṇṭha-bandhana with specified purity and firmness to ensure structural stability and ritual correctness.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Vedi-bandha and Kaṇṭha-bandhana (altar bindings)","lookup_keywords":["vedi-bandha","kaṇṭha-bandhana","vedī construction","pūjā-vidhi","ritual masonry"],"quick_summary":"After completing the base, bind the altar (vedi-bandha) and then form the upper ‘throat-binding’ (kaṇṭha-bandhana), ensuring it is clean, blemishless, and firm for both stability and ritual purity."}
Concept: Śuddhi (purity) and saṃskāra (proper formation) of ritual supports as a prerequisite for effective worship.
Application: Treat construction quality and cleanliness as part of dharma: careful workmanship is itself a ritual act.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Vedi-bandha and ritual construction details)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritual workspace where artisans-priests build an altar: the base binding course is completed and an upper neck-like binding is being smoothed, washed, and polished to a spotless finish.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, warm earthy palette, priests and sthapatis around a square vedī, showing layered bandha courses and a distinct kaṇṭha moulding, emphasis on cleanliness with water vessels, sacred geometry lines faintly visible.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-highlighted altar edges and mouldings, priest with śaṅkha and kalaśa nearby, the kaṇṭha-bandhana rendered as a raised gilded band, rich textiles and ornamental borders.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, instructional clarity: labeled layers of vedī (bandha, kaṇṭha), artisans applying smooth plaster, neat linework, muted colors, minimal background architecture.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed workshop scene with measuring cords and tools, fine depiction of stone/brick texture, attendants cleaning the kaṇṭha-bandhana, architectural precision and perspective."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: paścād+vedibandham → paścādvedibandhaṃ; tad+ūrdhvam → tadūrdhvaṃ; kaṇṭha+upariṣṭāt → kaṇṭhopariṣṭāt.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 61 (Pūjā-vidhi: vedī/yantra installation sequence); Agni Purana sections on prāsāda/vedikā-lakṣaṇa (Vāstu/Shilpa portions)
FAQs
It gives procedural instructions for arranging/binding the ritual altar (vedi-bandha) and adding an upper fastening called kaṇṭha-bandhana, specifying placement (above) and required quality (clean and firm).
Beyond theology, it preserves precise, step-by-step technical ritual know-how—terminology and placement rules for altar components—showing the text’s coverage of practical liturgical engineering alongside doctrine.
By insisting on purity (vimala/amala) and correctness of construction, the verse emphasizes ritual integrity—proper, clean arrangements are treated as safeguards for efficacy and as means of maintaining sanctity in worship and yajña.