Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 20
जीर्णोद्धारः (Jīrṇoddhāra) — Renovation and Ritual Handling of Defective Liṅgas and Old Shrines
प्रभुरत्रेति ख , छ च पाशुपतात्मनेति ख , ग , छ च दर्भैर् जपेत्तत इति ङ मूर्तिमूर्तीश्वरान् लिङ्गे इति ख , घ , ङ , छ च वास्तुमध्ये घ तत्त्वविद्भिरिति ख , घ , छ , ज च जीर्णं वाप्यथवा भग्नं विधिनापि नचालयेत् एष एव विधिः कार्योजीर्णधामसमुद्धृतौ
prabhuratreti kha , cha ca pāśupatātmaneti kha , ga , cha ca darbhair japettata iti ṅa mūrtimūrtīśvarān liṅge iti kha , gha , ṅa , cha ca vāstumadhye gha tattvavidbhiriti kha , gha , cha , ja ca jīrṇaṃ vāpyathavā bhagnaṃ vidhināpi nacālayet eṣa eva vidhiḥ kāryojīrṇadhāmasamuddhṛtau
แม้สถานศักดิ์สิทธิ์/เทวสถานที่ได้ประดิษฐานแล้วจะทรุดโทรมหรือแตกหัก ก็ไม่พึงเคลื่อนย้ายแม้โดยอ้างพิธีที่กำหนดไว้ กฎนี้เท่านั้นเป็นวิธีที่พึงปฏิบัติในการบูรณะและยกฟื้นเทวสถานเก่า
Lord Agni (traditional frame: Agni instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Conservation rule for consecrated shrines/icons: even if old or broken, do not relocate the sanctified structure/icon; renovation (‘raising up’/recovery of old shrine) must follow a non-displacement protocol, preserving the original sacred locus.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Non-Relocation Rule for Dilapidated Consecrated Shrines (Jīrṇa-dhāma Uddhāra)","lookup_keywords":["jīrṇa-dhāma","uddhāra","na cālayet","pratiṣṭhita","renovation"],"quick_summary":"A consecrated shrine retains sanctity tied to its locus; even when damaged, it should not be moved. Restoration must be done in place, following the prescribed conservation method."}
Concept: Sthāna (place) is integral to pratiṣṭhā; sanctity is not fully transferable once fixed. Preservation of continuity outweighs convenience in repair.
Application: In temple restoration, prioritize in-situ stabilization, underpinning, and careful rebuilding around the original seat; avoid relocation except where separate, explicitly authorized expiatory protocols exist.
Khanda Section: Vāstu-śāstra & Liṅga-pratiṣṭhā (Temple Architecture, Renovation, and Ritual Handling of Sacred Icons)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"An ancient, cracked shrine being restored in place: craftsmen shore up walls and sanctum while priests supervise, ensuring the consecrated core is not moved; the old dhāma is ‘raised up’ without relocation.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, aged temple with visible cracks, priests marking protective lines, artisans repairing around the sanctum, emphasis on continuity of the central sacred spot, warm lamp-lit tones and stylized architecture","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, restoration scene with gold-highlighted sanctum center, artisans and priests, ornate depiction of the immovable sacred core, auspicious symbols and gold leaf detailing","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, technical restoration tableau: scaffolding, underpinning, careful rebuilding around fixed garbhagṛha point, priest indicating ‘do not move’ gesture; clean, instructional composition","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed renovation site with scaffolds and workers, priestly supervision, careful depiction of old stone textures, balanced composition showing in-situ repair"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: जपेत्तत → जपेत् तत्; नचालयेत् → न चालयेत्; कार्योजीर्णधामसमुद्धृतौ → कार्यः जीर्ण-धाम-समुद्धृतौ
Related Themes: Agni Purana 103 (vāstu and liṅga-pratiṣṭhā handling rules)
FAQs
It gives a Vāstu–ritual injunction for restoration: a consecrated old or damaged shrine should not be physically displaced; renovation should proceed without moving the sacred structure.
Alongside theology and worship, the Agni Purana preserves practical civil-ritual guidance—here, a rule for temple restoration and sacred-structure handling, integrating architecture (vāstu) with ritual law (vidhi).
It protects the sanctity of a consecrated space: avoiding displacement prevents ritual fault (doṣa) and preserves the continuity of the deity’s established presence, supporting purity and merit in restoration work.