Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 22
पवित्रारोहणविधिः
The Rite of Raising/Placing the Pavitra
नत्वा तु गुरुणादिष्टं गृह्णीयान्नियमन्नरः चतुर्मासं त्रिमासं वा त्र्यहमेकाहमेव च
natvā tu guruṇādiṣṭaṃ gṛhṇīyānniyamannaraḥ caturmāsaṃ trimāsaṃ vā tryahamekāhameva ca
Setelah menunduk hormat kepada guru, seseorang hendaklah mengambil dan melaksanakan niyama/vrata sebagaimana diperintahkan—sama ada selama empat bulan, tiga bulan, tiga hari, ataupun hanya satu hari.
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vrata","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"To choose and formally undertake a vrata/niyama for a defined duration under a guru’s authorization, ensuring the vow is time-bounded and feasible.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Vrata-niyama duration as per guru-instruction","lookup_keywords":["guru-adiṣṭa","niyama","cāturmāsya","trimāsa","ekāha"],"quick_summary":"A vow should be accepted after bowing to the teacher and must be undertaken for a specified period—long (four months/three months) or short (three days/one day)—as instructed."}
Concept: Vrata is valid and fruitful when undertaken with humility and under competent guidance, with clear temporal boundaries.
Application: Select a vow duration matching capacity; formalize it through guru-approval to avoid overreach and lapse.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Vrata–Niyama and ritual observances)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: shraddha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A disciple bows to a seated guru and receives instruction to undertake a time-bound vow, with symbolic calendar markers for four months, three months, three days, and one day.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style: interior of a traditional gurukula, disciple in añjali bowing, guru seated on a wooden āsana, palm-leaf manuscripts, muted earth reds and greens, clear gesture of instruction, sacred calm.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting: guru with halo and ornate throne-like seat, disciple prostrating, gold-leaf highlights on garments and ritual vessels, stylized calendar motifs indicating cāturmāsya/trimāsa, devotional austerity.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting: clean linework, instructional composition showing four duration panels (4 months/3 months/3 days/1 day), guru pointing, disciple holding a sankalpa vessel, soft pastel palette.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: courtly gurukula scene with fine detailing, guru and student in profile, margins with small cartouches showing the vow durations, delicate architecture and textiles, restrained palette."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: guruṇādiṣṭam = guruṇā + ādiṣṭam; gṛhṇīyānniyamam = gṛhṇīyāt + niyamam (t + n → nn); tryaham = tri + aham; ekāham = eka + aham.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Puja-vidhi sections on vrata-niyama and sankalpa; Agni Purana chapters on prāyaścitta and āhnika/ācāra
FAQs
It gives a procedural rule for vrata/niyama practice: one should formally accept an observance after bowing to the guru and follow the exact duration prescribed—ranging from long (four or three months) to short (three days or one day).
By codifying practical, time-bound options for religious discipline under guru-guidance, it functions like a ritual manual—one among the Agni Purana’s many domains (dharma, rites, vows, expiations), illustrating its broad, handbook-like coverage.
Undertaking a niyama with humility (bowing) and obedience to the guru is presented as the proper dharmic method, supporting purification and merit by ensuring the vow is correctly framed, measured, and faithfully observed.