Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 3
Chapter 62 — Lakṣmīpratiṣṭhāvidhiḥ
The Procedure for Installing Lakṣmī
घृतेनाभ्यज्य मूलेन स्नपयेत् पञ्चगव्यकैः हिरण्यवर्णा हरिणी नेत्रे चोन्मीलयेच्छ्रियाः
ghṛtenābhyajya mūlena snapayet pañcagavyakaiḥ hiraṇyavarṇā hariṇī netre conmīlayecchriyāḥ
Tendo ungido a base (a porção da raiz) com ghee, deve-se banhá-la com os cinco produtos da vaca (pañcagavya). Em seguida, para a prosperidade (Śrī), deve-se realizar o rito de “abertura dos olhos” (netronmīlana), invocando/visualizando a corça (hariṇī) de tonalidade dourada.
Lord Agni (in instruction to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Puja-vidhi","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Pratiṣṭhā/abhiṣeka sequence: anointing the pedestal/root, pañcagavya-snāna, then netronmīlana to ritually ‘animate’ the icon for śrī (auspicious prosperity).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Pañcagavya-snāna and Netronmīlana in Pratiṣṭhā","lookup_keywords":["ghṛta-abhyanga","pañcagavya-snāna","netronmīlana","śrī-prayoga","pratiṣṭhā"],"quick_summary":"After ghee-anointing the base, bathe with pañcagavya and perform netronmīlana to establish auspicious presence and prosperity in the consecrated form."}
Dosha: Tridosha
Concept: External purification and symbolic ‘animation’ (netronmīlana) as a means to invite śrī and establish sacred presence.
Application: Follow ordered ritual steps (abhyanga → snāna → netronmīlana) to complete consecration without omissions.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Ritual Procedures and Auspicious Rites)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: śānta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A priest anoints the pedestal of a deity-image with ghee, bathes it with pañcagavya, then delicately performs netronmīlana—painting/opening the eyes—invoking golden-hued auspiciousness (Śrī).","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, warm earthy palette, priest in white mundu performing pañcagavya abhiṣeka on a stone mūrti, close-up of netronmīlana with fine brush, aura of Śrī as golden radiance, traditional lamp-lit sanctum.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, deity icon on pedestal, thick gold leaf highlights around the eyes and halo, priest performing netronmīlana, pañcagavya vessels arranged symmetrically, rich reds and greens, ornate arch frame.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, clean linework, instructional composition showing three steps (ghee anointing, pañcagavya bath, eye-opening), labeled ritual vessels, soft shading and delicate ornament.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed ritual courtyard, attendants holding pañcagavya bowls, priest opening the eyes of the icon with a fine brush, subtle gold accents, architectural borders and floral margins."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: घृतेनाभ्यज्य = घृतेन + अभ्यज्य; चोन्मीलयेत् = च + उन्मीलयेत्; उन्मीलयेच्छ्रियाः = उन्मीलयेत् + श्रियाः (त् + श् → च्छ्)
Related Themes: Agni Purāṇa: Pratiṣṭhā/abhiṣeka and pūjā-vidhi sections around this khanda; Agni Purāṇa: mūrti-lakṣaṇa and temple-rite chapters (where netronmīlana and prāṇa-pratiṣṭhā are detailed)
FAQs
It prescribes a consecratory sequence: anointing the base with ghee, ritual bathing with pañcagavya, and performing netronmīlana (ceremonial ‘opening of the eyes’) to invoke auspicious vitality and Śrī (prosperity) into the sacred object/image.
Alongside theology and myth, the Agni Purana catalogues practical liturgical technology—specific substances (ghee, pañcagavya), procedural steps (lustration, eye-opening), and intended results (śrī/auspiciousness), functioning like a ritual manual embedded within a Purāṇic compendium.
The rite signifies purification and enlivenment: pañcagavya removes ritual impurity, and netronmīlana marks the moment the sacred presence is invited to ‘see’ and bless, generating auspicious merit and prosperity for the patron and the space.