Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 45
Chapter 38 — देवालयनिर्माणफलं
The Merit of Constructing a Temple
कारयेन् मृण्मयं वापि सर्वपापैः प्रमुच्यते अहन्यहनि यज्ञेन यजतो यन् महाफलम्
kārayen mṛṇmayaṃ vāpi sarvapāpaiḥ pramucyate ahanyahani yajñena yajato yan mahāphalam
ਜੇ ਕੋਈ ਸਿਰਫ਼ ਮਿੱਟੀ ਦਾ ਵੀ (ਪਵਿੱਤਰ ਨਿਰਮਾਣ/ਮੂਰਤੀ) ਬਣਵਾਏ, ਤਾਂ ਉਹ ਸਭ ਪਾਪਾਂ ਤੋਂ ਛੁਟਕਾਰਾ ਪਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ; ਅਤੇ ਜੋ ਮਹਾਨ ਫਲ ਰੋਜ਼ ਯਜ्ञ ਕਰਨ ਵਾਲੇ ਯਜਮਾਨ ਨੂੰ ਮਿਲਦਾ ਹੈ, ਉਹੀ ਫਲ ਉਸ ਨੂੰ ਪ੍ਰਾਪਤ ਹੁੰਦਾ ਹੈ।
Lord Agni (instructing Sage Vasiṣṭha, the primary frame of the Agni Purāṇa)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vrata","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Low-cost expiation and merit practice: commissioning even a simple clay sacred object/structure as a substitute-equivalent to repeated daily yajña in terms of fruit.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Formula","entry_title":"Clay-made sacred commission as sin-removal and yajña-equivalent merit","lookup_keywords":["mṛṇmaya","sarva-pāpa","pramuñcati","yajña","mahāphala"],"quick_summary":"Having a sacred item/rite executed even in clay is taught as a powerful prāyaścitta, granting release from sins and yielding merit comparable to performing daily fire-sacrifices."}
Concept: Intention and sacred commissioning (kāraṇa) can function as potent purification; accessible acts can substitute for resource-intensive yajñas in producing spiritual fruit.
Application: For those unable to maintain daily yajña, sponsor/commission a clay image/altar or simple sacred construction with proper worship as an expiatory and merit-generating practice.
Khanda Section: Pūjā-vidhi / Dāna-prāyaścitta (Ritual observances, meritorious acts, and expiation)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A devotee commissions a small clay Viṣṇu image or clay altar; a priest performs simple rites beside a modest fire, visually equating the act’s merit with repeated daily yajña.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, earthy tones: artisan shaping a clay arcā, priest with lamp and small homa fire, devotee offering water/flowers; stylized flames and temple motifs.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, clay image on a pedestal with gold-leaf aura; priest performing āratī; symbolic depiction of ‘mahāphala’ as radiant light; rich ornamentation.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional clarity: steps—clay shaping, drying, placement, simple worship; fine linework, calm domestic setting with a small fire altar.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, workshop scene with potter and patron; adjacent vignette of priest conducting rite; detailed vessels, clay texture, and fire-sacrifice implements."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Saveri","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: kārayen = kārayet (final -t before m often written as -n in some recensions); vāpi = vā + api; ahanyahani = ahani + ahani (reduplication/compound).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 38 (dāna-prāyaścitta; mandira/arcā merit)
FAQs
It teaches that an earthen (mṛṇmaya) substitute—i.e., a clay-made ritual implement or sacred object used for worship—can still confer purification, and it equates the merit with the great fruit of performing daily yajña.
It records a practical ritual principle—using accessible materials like clay as valid substitutes—alongside a doctrine of daily sacrificial merit, showing the text’s catalog-like coverage of procedures, alternatives, and results (phala) in worship and expiation.
The verse emphasizes that sincere, regular worship—even with simple clay-made means—can remove accumulated pāpa (sin) and yield the high merit associated with repeated daily sacrifice.