Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 12
Chapter 43 — प्रासाददेवतास्थापनम्
Installation of Deities in a Temple
पर्वतानामभावे च गृह्णीयाद्भूगतां शिलां पाण्डरा ह्य् अरुणा पीता कृष्णा शस्ता तु वैर्णिनां
parvatānāmabhāve ca gṛhṇīyādbhūgatāṃ śilāṃ pāṇḍarā hy aruṇā pītā kṛṣṇā śastā tu vairṇināṃ
เมื่อไม่มีภูเขาให้หา พึงนำหินที่พบใต้พื้นดินมาใช้ หินสีขาว สีแดงเรื่อ สีเหลือง และสีดำ ถูกกำหนดว่าเหมาะสมแก่แต่ละวรรณะตามลำดับ.
Lord Agni (in instruction to the sage Vasiṣṭha, as the standard Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Material procurement rules for icon-making when quarry/mountain stone is unavailable; color-based suitability guidance linked to varṇa conventions.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Bhūgata-śilā-grahaṇa and varṇa-anurūpa śilā-varṇa","lookup_keywords":["bhūgata śilā","pāṣāṇa-parīkṣā","pāṇḍara/aruṇa/pīta/kṛṣṇa","varṇa","mūrti stone selection"],"quick_summary":"If mountain stone cannot be sourced, underground stone may be used. Stone color is prescribed in a varṇa-correlated scheme, guiding selection for ritual propriety."}
Concept: Dharma adapts to deśa-kāla (place/time) constraints via sanctioned substitutions; ritual order maintained through prescribed correspondences (color/varṇa).
Application: In stone-scarce regions, use underground stone; follow prescribed color suitability to align with officiant/community norms.
Khanda Section: Vāstu-śāstra / Ratna–Dhātu–Pāṣāṇa-parīkṣā (materials selection when mountains are absent)
Primary Rasa: śānta
Type: Mountain
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Artisans excavate underground stone in a region without mountains; four stone samples—white, red, yellow, black—are displayed with a priest indicating their prescribed suitability.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: earth-cut excavation scene with stylized workers; foreground shows four colored stone blocks; priest gestures to a palm-leaf guideline; warm, flat composition.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: framed composition with four polished stone blocks in distinct colors, gold borders; small vignette of excavation; priest in ornate attire pointing to the correct selection.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: technical illustration—cross-section of ground showing stone deposit; labeled color samples and notes on suitability; clean lines and soft washes.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: detailed mining/excavation tableau with baskets and tools; a scholar-priest compares colored stones on a carpet; landscape hints at absence of mountains."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Hamsadhwani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: gṛhṇīyādbhūgatāṃ = gṛhṇīyāt + bhū-gatām (t/d sandhi); h(y) aruṇā = hi + aruṇā.
Related Themes: Agni Purāṇa 43 (stone selection; substitution rules continue)
FAQs
It gives a Vāstu-śāstra rule for sourcing construction/ritual stone: if mountain stone is unavailable, underground stone may be used, and stone color is selected according to the intended varṇa-based suitability.
Beyond theology, it preserves practical standards for materials science within Vāstu—how to procure and classify stone by observable properties (color) and apply it within dharma-based social/ritual norms.
Using properly prescribed materials is treated as supporting ritual correctness and purity; following such norms is implied to help maintain dharmic order and avoid defects (doṣa) in sacred or sanctioned constructions.