Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 3
Chapter 49 — मत्स्यादिलक्षणवर्णनम्
Description of the Characteristics of Matsya and the Other Incarnations
श्रीवामकूर्परस्था तु क्ष्मानन्तौ चरणानुगौ वराहस्थापनाद्राज्यं भवाब्धितरणं भवेत्
śrīvāmakūrparasthā tu kṣmānantau caraṇānugau varāhasthāpanādrājyaṃ bhavābdhitaraṇaṃ bhavet
Śrī (Lakṣmī) deve ser colocada sobre o cotovelo esquerdo; a Terra (Kṣmā) e Ananta devem ser mostrados seguindo e assistindo aos pés. Ao instalar uma imagem de Varāha assim, alcança-se a soberania (domínio régio) e obtém-se um meio de atravessar o oceano da existência mundana.
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha, Agni Purāṇa dialogue framework)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Shilpa","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Placing Lakṣmī, Bhū-devī, and Ananta correctly in Varāha iconography and understanding the stated phala (benefit) of installing such an image.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Varāha-pratiṣṭhā Phala and Attendant Placement (Śrī–Bhū–Ananta)","lookup_keywords":["Varāha-sthāpana","Śrī left elbow","Kṣmā","Ananta","rājya-phala"],"quick_summary":"Specifies attendant positions—Lakṣmī on the left elbow, Bhū and Ananta near the feet—and states the installation’s fruits: sovereignty and spiritual crossing of saṃsāra."}
Concept: Pratiṣṭhā and devotion as both worldly (aiśvarya/rājya) and transcendent (bhavābdhi-taraṇa) means.
Application: Frames icon installation as a disciplined act yielding social stability and inner liberation; encourages integrating artha and mokṣa aims through worship.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Murti-lakshana & Pratishtha of Varaha/Vishnu forms)
Primary Rasa: śānta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Installed Varāha icon with Lakṣmī poised on the left elbow; Bhū-devī and Ananta depicted near the feet as attendants; a consecration ambiance suggesting sovereignty and liberation.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural of Varāha in sanctum: Lakṣmī resting at left elbow, Bhū-devī near feet, Ananta coiled respectfully, priests with lamps at margins, deep earthy palette and bold contours.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore consecration tableau: Varāha with gold halo, Lakṣmī on left elbow, Bhū and Ananta at feet, ornate arch, embossed gold work, ritual vessels and lamps.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore didactic composition: clear placement diagram—left elbow for Śrī, foot-zone for Bhū and Ananta—minimal background, labeled positions, soft colors.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature of temple installation: Varāha idol on pedestal, attendants Bhū and Ananta, Lakṣmī at elbow, courtiers implying rājya, fine architectural detailing and borders."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: वराहस्थापनाद् = वराहस्थापनात् (त् + र् → द्र्); भवाब्धितरणं = भव + अब्धि + तरणम् (समास)।
Related Themes: Agni Purana 49 (Varāha and avatāra mūrti-lakṣaṇa); Agni Purana pūjā-vidhi/pratiṣṭhā discussions in adjacent sections
FAQs
It specifies iconographic placement in a Varāha image—Lakṣmī on the left elbow and Bhū (Earth) with Ananta attending the feet—along with the stated results of proper installation (pratiṣṭhā-phala).
It exemplifies the Agni Purāṇa’s practical coverage of temple science: not only theology of an avatāra, but precise murti-lakṣaṇa (iconographic standards) and the social-political/spiritual outcomes linked to consecration rites.
Correctly consecrating Varāha with these attendant deities is said to yield worldly sovereignty and, more importantly, merit conducive to liberation—symbolized as crossing the ocean of saṃsāra.