Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 10
Chapter 43 — प्रासाददेवतास्थापनम्
Installation of Deities in a Temple
शैलजा गन्धजा चैव कौसुमी सप्तधा स्मृता कौसुमी गन्धजा चैव मृण्मयी प्रतिमा तथा
śailajā gandhajā caiva kausumī saptadhā smṛtā kausumī gandhajā caiva mṛṇmayī pratimā tathā
รูปเคารพ (ปฺรติมา) ถูกจดจำว่าเป็นเจ็ดประเภท—ทำด้วยศิลา ทำด้วยวัตถุหอม และทำด้วยดอกไม้ (เกาสุมิ). อีกทั้งยังมีแบบดอกไม้ แบบวัตถุหอม และแบบดินเหนียวด้วย.
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Shilpa","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Classification of pratimā media for selecting appropriate temporary or permanent icons in worship and festivals.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Pratimā-bheda: dravya-saptadhā (media classification)","lookup_keywords":["pratimā-bheda","śailaja","gandhaja","kausumī","mṛṇmayī","dravya-saptadhā"],"quick_summary":"Icons are categorized by their material/medium (stone, fragrant substances, flowers, clay, etc.). This supports choosing the correct type for context—permanent shrine icons versus temporary ritual images."}
Concept: Śāstric taxonomy: sacred representation (arcā) admits multiple media, enabling graded ritual practice.
Application: Select icon type based on availability and ritual purpose (e.g., floral/fragrant/clay for immediate worship; stone for permanence).
Khanda Section: Pratima-Lakshana & Puja-vidhi (Iconography and worship-methods)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: śānta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A didactic display of different pratimā types: stone icon, sandal/fragrant paste icon, flower-formed icon, and clay icon arranged as a sevenfold classification chart.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: panel of seven pratimā media shown as symbolic vignettes—stone idol, fragrant paste form, flower garland deity, clay figure—labeled in Sanskrit, warm palette, temple-wall composition.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: central deity with surrounding medallions depicting each pratimā medium; gold leaf on floral and jeweled elements; embossed borders.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: clean instructional chart with miniature illustrations of each medium, fine outlines, pastel washes, Sanskrit captions for śailaja/gandhaja/kausumī/mṛṇmayī etc.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: courtly workshop scene where artisans present different icon media on trays—stone carving, perfumed paste, flower arrangement, clay model—high detail and naturalistic shading."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: caiva = ca + eva; śailajā/gandhajā/ratnajā etc. treated as tatpuruṣa adjectives with -jā; sapta-dhā is an indeclinable numeral adverb.
Related Themes: Agni Purāṇa 43 (pratimā-dravya, śailamaya selection)
FAQs
It classifies pratimās by material—stone, fragrant substances (like sandalwood/pastes), flowers, and clay—supporting correct selection of worship-media in pūjā and temple practice.
By cataloging iconographic and ritual-technical categories (materials and types of images), it adds a practical temple-ritual and worship-handbook layer to the Purana’s many subjects.
Using a properly sanctioned form of image for worship is treated as dharma-aligned pūjā, aiding purity of practice and the accrual of religious merit through correct devotion.