Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 9
Chapter 33 — पवित्रारोहणविधानं
The Procedure for Pavitrārohaṇa / Installing the Sacred Thread or Consecratory Amulet
तन्नो विष्णुः प्रचोदयात् देवदेवानुरूपतः जानूरुनाभिनामान्तं प्रतिमासु पवित्रकं
tanno viṣṇuḥ pracodayāt devadevānurūpataḥ jānūrunābhināmāntaṃ pratimāsu pavitrakaṃ
Que Viṣṇu nos impulsione e abençoe—Ele, em conformidade com o Senhor dos deuses. Nas imagens (pratimā), o pavitraka (fio/guirlanda sagrada de consagração) deve estender-se desde os joelhos, pelas coxas e o umbigo, até terminar na região do ‘nome’, isto é, no pescoço/parte superior indicada pela iconografia.
Lord Agni (in dialogue, instructing the sage Vashistha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Shilpa","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Applying pavitraka placement rules on deity images and reciting the concluding Gāyatrī pāda ‘tanno viṣṇuḥ pracodayāt’ for consecratory blessing.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Pratimā-pavitraka-vinyāsa (extent from knees to upper name-region) with Viṣṇu-preraṇā mantra","lookup_keywords":["tanno viṣṇuḥ pracodayāt","pratimā","pavitraka","vinyāsa","jānu-ūru-nābhi"],"quick_summary":"For images, the pavitraka is arranged with a defined vertical extent (knees–thighs–navel up to the upper ‘name’/neck region), while invoking Viṣṇu’s प्रेरणा for proper consecration."}
Concept: Correct external arrangement (bāhya-vinyāsa) supports inner sanctity and the intended presence of the deity in worship.
Application: When adorning or consecrating images, follow prescribed placements to avoid ritual fault (doṣa) and to align worship with śāstric form.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Iconography and Mantra for Deity-Images)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A Viṣṇu image being adorned with a pavitraka thread/garland arranged from knees through thighs and navel up to the neck/upper region, while the priest recites ‘tanno viṣṇuḥ pracodayāt’.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, standing Viṣṇu pratimā with stylized ornaments, priest placing a white pavitraka thread in a vertical drape from knees to upper chest/neck, mantra band ‘tanno viṣṇuḥ pracodayāt’, warm lamp-lit shrine.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting with gold foil, richly ornamented Viṣṇu idol, pavitraka thread highlighted with gold accents, priest at side in reverence, ornate arch frame and jewel tones.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, precise instructional depiction of body landmarks (jānu, ūru, nābhi, kaṇṭha) on the pratimā, showing correct pavitraka extent, fine lines and gentle colors.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, temple interior with detailed sculpture, attendant-priest draping the pavitraka along the idol’s body landmarks, delicate textiles and architectural detail, calligraphic cartouche of the mantra."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Madhyamavati","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तन्नो = तत् + नः; देवदेवानुरूपतः = देवदेव + अनुरूपतः (तसिल्-तद्धित अव्यय); जानूरुनाभिनामान्तम् = जानु + ऊरु + नाभि + नाम + अन्तम् (समास/समाहार).
Related Themes: Agni Purana pratimā-lakṣaṇa and pūjā-upacāra passages; pavitraka/pāvitrya rules in Pūjā-vidhi khanda
FAQs
It specifies pavitraka-vidhi for Vishnu images—how the purifying sacred thread/festoon is to be arranged across defined iconographic body-points (knees, thighs, navel, up to the upper ‘name’ region).
Beyond theology, it preserves practical temple-ritual and iconography—standardizing how a murti is ornamented and ritually purified, a key part of Agni Purana’s wide-ranging manual-like content.
Correct placement of the pavitraka is treated as a purification and sanctification act in worship, believed to enhance the efficacy of the rite and the devotee’s merit through properly performed deity-service (seva).