Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 9
Chapter 47 — शालग्रामादिपूजाकथनं
Teaching the Worship of Śālagrāma and Related Sacred Forms
पूर्वादावथ वेदाद्यैर् गायत्रीभ्यां जितादिना प्रणवेनार्चयेत् पञ्चान्मुद्रास्तिस्रः प्रदर्शयेत्
pūrvādāvatha vedādyair gāyatrībhyāṃ jitādinā praṇavenārcayet pañcānmudrāstisraḥ pradarśayet
Começando pelo leste, e depois com as porções iniciais (invocatórias) do Veda, com os dois mantras Gāyatrī, com o mantra que começa por “Jita…”, e com o Praṇava (Oṃ), deve-se realizar o culto; e devem-se exibir as três mudrās (gestos) bem como as cinco (mudrās).
Lord Agni (instructing Sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s ritual sections)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Puja-vidhi","practical_application":"Directional (dik) orientation, mantra-sequencing (Veda-ādi, Gāyatrī-dvaya, Jita-ādi, Praṇava) and mudrā-display as a standardized opening for worship/nyāsa.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Pūjā-ārambha: Dikkrama, Gāyatrī–Praṇava-arcana, Mudrā-pradarśana","lookup_keywords":["pūjā-vidhi","gāyatrī-dvaya","praṇava","mudrā","pūrvādi-dik"],"quick_summary":"Begin worship facing/starting from the east, invoke with Vedic opening formulas, apply the two Gāyatrīs and Praṇava, and seal the rite with prescribed mudrās; this establishes ritual correctness and protection."}
Concept: Mantra and mudrā as śakti-nyāsa: correct sequencing and sealing makes worship efficacious.
Application: Use a fixed opening protocol (dikkrama + mantra + mudrā) to avoid ritual omissions (doṣa) and to stabilize attention (ekāgratā).
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Mantra-nyasa, Gayatri and Pranava worship, Mudra-prayoga)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: Sacred direction
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A worshipper seated before a small altar, oriented to the east, reciting Vedic invocations, then Gāyatrī and Oṃ, while displaying a sequence of hand-mudrās.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, east-facing brāhmaṇa/ācārya performing pūjā, right hand showing mudrās, palm-leaf manuscript and kalasha nearby, warm earthy reds and greens, stylized flames of dīpa, serene sanctum ambience.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-leaf haloed altar with Viṣṇu-symbolic motifs, priest in white performing mudrā-pradarśana, ornate arch frame, rich jewel tones, embossed gold detailing on ritual vessels and lotus motifs.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, clean linework showing stepwise ritual: east direction marker, mantra recitation, then five and three mudrās illustrated, soft pastel palette, instructional composition with labeled gestures.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, intimate indoor shrine scene, scholar-priest reciting from a manuscript, subtle depiction of hand gestures, detailed textiles and brass lamps, balanced composition with east indicated by rising sun through a window."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पूर्वादौ = पूर्व + आदौ (अव्ययीभाव); वेदाद्यैः = वेदादि + ऐः; प्रणवेनार्चयेत् = प्रणवेन + अर्चयेत्; पञ्चान्मुद्राः = पञ्चान् + मुद्राः; मुद्रास्तिस्रः = मुद्राः + तिस्रः
Related Themes: Agni Purana 47 (Pūjā-vidhi sections on nyāsa, mudrā, praṇava-arcana)
FAQs
It prescribes a concrete pūjā-sequence: orienting the rite from the eastern direction, invoking Vedic openings, applying specified mantras (two Gāyatrīs, a ‘Jita-…’ formula, and Oṃ), and performing prescribed sets of mudrās (three and five) as part of formal worship.
Alongside theology, the Agni Purana preserves practical liturgical technology—directional procedure, mantra-ordering, and mudrā-performance—showing how Purāṇic texts function as handbooks for applied ritual (pūjā-prayoga), not only as narrative scripture.
By aligning direction (east), mantra (Gāyatrī and Praṇava), and gesture (mudrā), the rite is made ritually complete and purified; such correctness is traditionally held to stabilize intention (saṅkalpa), remove obstacles, and increase the efficacy (siddhi) and merit (puṇya) of worship.