Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 63
Mantra-śakti, Dūta-Carā (Envoys & Spies), Vyasana (Calamities), and the Sapta-Upāya of Nīti
देवताप्रतिमानन्तु पूजयान्तर्गतैर् नरैः पुमान् स्त्रीवस्त्रसंवीतो निशि चाद्भुतदर्शनः
devatāpratimānantu pūjayāntargatair naraiḥ pumān strīvastrasaṃvīto niśi cādbhutadarśanaḥ
ਜਦੋਂ ਅੰਦਰਲੇ ਮੰਡਪ/ਗਰਭਗ੍ਰਿਹ ਵਿੱਚ ਲੋਕ ਦੇਵਤਾ ਦੀ ਮੂਰਤੀ ਦੀ ਪੂਜਾ ਕਰਦੇ ਹਨ, ਤਦ ਰਾਤ ਨੂੰ ਇਸਤਰੀ ਵਸਤ੍ਰ ਪਹਿਨਿਆ ਹੋਇਆ ਇੱਕ ਪੁਰਖ ਪ੍ਰਗਟ ਹੁੰਦਾ ਹੈ ਅਤੇ ਅਦਭੁਤ ਦਰਸ਼ਨ ਕਰਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ।
Lord Agni (traditional Agni Purana narrator) to Sage Vasiṣṭha
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Temple-ritual caution: anomalous nocturnal apparitions during inner-shrine worship may indicate deceptive/abhicāra phenomena or improper ritual conditions requiring protective rites and verification.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Nocturnal Apparition during Antargṛha Deva-pratimā Pūjā","lookup_keywords":["devata-pratima","puja","antargriha","night-apparition","strivesha"],"quick_summary":"During inner-sanctum icon worship, a wondrous night-vision may appear as a man disguised in women’s garments—suggesting a deceptive manifestation or ritual anomaly that warrants discernment and remedial measures."}
Alamkara Type: Adbhuta-varṇana (marvel-description)
Concept: Viveka in ritual: not every ‘wondrous’ vision is divine; sacred spaces can host deceptive forms, so protection and discrimination are part of practice.
Application: Maintain ritual safeguards (purity rules, protective mantras, vetted attendants); treat anomalous visions as omens to consult āgamic procedure and perform śānti if needed.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Devata-pratima-pratishtha (Icon worship and ritual observances)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Type: Tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Inside a dimly lit garbhagṛha, priests worship a deity icon; at night a figure appears—male but dressed in women’s garments—creating a wondrous yet unsettling vision amid lamp-light and incense smoke.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural interior of garbhagriha, oil lamps, priests in white, deity icon on pedestal, apparition figure in women’s attire emerging from shadow, stylized faces, deep reds and blacks, sacred ambience","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting of temple sanctum with deity icon richly ornamented in gold, priests offering ārati, nocturnal blue-black background, apparition figure in ornate sari-like drape, gold highlights on lamps and jewelry","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting with clear architectural lines of garbhagriha, instructional depiction of pūjā sequence, soft palette, apparition shown as ambiguous omen, emphasis on lamp glow and calm priestly posture","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature night temple interior, detailed textiles and lamps, incense haze, surprised attendants, apparition in women’s dress, fine linework and chiaroscuro-like shading"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: devatāpratimānantu → devatā-pratimānaṃ tu; pūjayāntargatair → pūjayā antargataiḥ; cādbhuta- → ca adbhuta-.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Puja-vidhi and Pratimā-pratiṣṭhā sections (general); Agni Purana Bhūta/Vetāla/Piśāca lakṣaṇa and śānti-kalpa sections (for deceptive forms)
FAQs
It records an omen-like phenomenon associated with devatā-pratimā-pūjā performed from within the inner precinct: a nocturnal, wondrous apparition (a man in women’s garments) is described as a ritual sign occurring in that context.
Beyond theology, the Agni Purana catalogs practical ritual details—how worship is conducted (location/inner enclosure) and what observable signs may arise—functioning like a manual that includes procedural notes and interpretive markers (nimitta/omen descriptions).
By noting extraordinary night-visions linked to inner-sanctum worship, the verse frames ritual practice as producing perceivable effects, encouraging careful observance and discernment of signs that may indicate the potency, irregularity, or special intensity of the worship setting.