Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 2
जीर्णोद्धारः (Jīrṇoddhāra) — Renovation and Ritual Handling of Defective Liṅgas and Old Shrines
संपुटं स्फुटितं व्यङ्गं लिङ्गमित्येवमादिकं इत्यादिदुष्टलिङ्गानां योज्या पिण्डी तथा वृषः
saṃpuṭaṃ sphuṭitaṃ vyaṅgaṃ liṅgamityevamādikaṃ ityādiduṣṭaliṅgānāṃ yojyā piṇḍī tathā vṛṣaḥ
ลึงค์ที่ถูกครอบ/หุ้ม (สัมปุฏะ), แตกร้าว (สฺผุฏิตะ), หรือบิดเบี้ยวมีตำหนิ (วยังคะ) และประเภทอื่น ๆ—เมื่อเป็นลึงค์ที่บกพร่องเช่นนี้ พึงจัดให้มี “ปิณฑี” (ฐานรอง) และ “วฤษภะ” (โค/นันทิ) ประกอบตามพิธีเป็นการแก้ไข
Lord Agni (teaching the sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s instructional dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Shilpa","secondary_vidya":"Vastu","practical_application":"Ritual-technical remediation: identifying defective liṅga forms and prescribing adjunct installations (piṇḍī base and vṛṣa/Nandin) to stabilize/complete the sacred ensemble.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Liṅga-doṣa types: saṃpuṭa, sphuṭita, vyaṅga—remedial adjuncts","lookup_keywords":["saṃpuṭa-liṅga","sphuṭita","vyaṅga","piṇḍī","vṛṣa (Nandin)"],"quick_summary":"Defines common liṅga defects (covered/enclosed, cracked, deformed). For such doṣas, the rite prescribes adding/arranging the pedestal-base and the bull emblem as corrective accompaniments."}
Concept: Ritual completeness and correct sacred form (ākṛti) support auspiciousness; defects are addressed through prescribed structural/ritual complements.
Application: Use śāstra-based checklists for icon condition and required adjuncts before consecration or continued worship.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Linga-pratishtha (Shaiva iconography and ritual diagnostics)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: śānta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A workshop/sanctum where a cracked or blemished liṅga is assessed; artisans prepare a piṇḍī pedestal and a Nandin bull figure to be installed as remedial adjuncts.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, artisans and priests around a stone liṅga with visible crack lines, a carved pedestal nearby, Nandin sketched in red ochre outlines, lamp-lit sanctum ambience, traditional flat perspective","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, Śiva-liṅga on ornate piṇḍī with Nandin in front, gold-leaf on ornaments and lamps, bright jewel tones, emphasis on auspicious completion despite prior defects","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, diagrammatic clarity: three defective liṅgas labeled saṃpuṭa/sphuṭita/vyaṅga, next panel shows corrected setup with piṇḍī and vṛṣa, fine linework, instructional layout","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly artisans in a temple atelier, detailed stone carving tools, liṅga with subtle blemish, Nandin sculpture being finished, delicate borders and naturalistic shading"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":null,"pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: liṅgamityevamādikam: liṅgam + iti + evam + ādikam. ityādiduṣṭaliṅgānām: iti-ādi + duṣṭa-liṅgānām (compound + sandhi).
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Liṅga-pratiṣṭhā and parivāra-devatā installation passages (contextual); Agni Purana: Jīrṇoddhāra chapter continuation (defect handling)
FAQs
It teaches liṅga-doṣa diagnosis (recognizing defective liṅgas such as cracked or deformed) and a practical remedial measure—adding/establishing the proper base (piṇḍī/pīṭha) and the bull emblem (vṛṣa/Nandin) as corrective ritual adjuncts.
By codifying temple-installation and iconographic repair logic (how to handle flawed sacred icons), it shows the Agni Purana functioning as a procedural manual alongside its many other domains—ritual, architecture, iconometry, and religious law.
It frames correct installation and rectification of worship-objects as necessary for ritually sound worship—minimizing doṣa in practice and helping ensure the intended purity and efficacy (śuddhi and phala) of Śiva-upāsanā.