Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 13
Chapter 43 — प्रासाददेवतास्थापनम्
Installation of Deities in a Temple
न यदा लभ्यते सम्यग् वर्णिनां वर्णतः शिला वर्णाद्यापादानं तत्र जुह्यात् सिंहविद्यया
na yadā labhyate samyag varṇināṃ varṇataḥ śilā varṇādyāpādānaṃ tatra juhyāt siṃhavidyayā
เมื่อไม่อาจได้หินที่เหมาะสมตามวรรณะอย่างถูกต้อง พึงจัดหาวัตถุทดแทนโดยเริ่มจากวัตถุที่สอดคล้องกับวรรณะ แล้วถวายอาหุติลงในไฟด้วย ‘สิงหวิทยา’ (มนตร์/พิธีสิงห์).
Lord Agni (in instruction to sage Vasiṣṭha, as per the common Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Ritual substitution (pratinidhi) when prescribed stone cannot be obtained, using homa with Siṃha-vidyā to maintain efficacy and correctness.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Śilā-alābhe pratinidhi-homa: Siṃha-vidyā-prayoga","lookup_keywords":["Siṃha-vidyā","homa","pratinidhi (substitution)","varṇa-anurūpa dravya","śilā-alābha"],"quick_summary":"If the correct varṇa-corresponding stone is unavailable, perform a compensatory oblation using appropriate substitute materials, empowered by the Siṃha-vidyā. This preserves ritual continuity under constraints."}
Concept: Mantra-śakti and homa can ritually ‘complete’ or compensate for missing material prerequisites (pratinidhi-nyāya).
Application: When ideal materials are unobtainable, follow sanctioned substitute-offerings and recite/perform Siṃha-vidyā homa to avoid ritual breakage.
Khanda Section: Agneya-vidya (Mantra-tantra & Homa-vidhi / Ritual Substitutions)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: śānta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A fire altar (homa-kuṇḍa) blazes as the officiant offers substitute materials into the fire, reciting Siṃha-vidyā; nearby, unavailable stone is symbolically represented by an empty pedestal or missing block.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: central homa fire with stylized flames; priest chanting with rosary and ladle; symbolic lion-emblem (Siṃha) motif above; subdued temple palette and ritual geometry.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: brilliant homa scene with gold-leaf flames and ornaments; priest with ladle mid-offering; lion insignia or Siṃha motif in aureole; rich reds and gold detailing.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: stepwise instructional depiction—(1) lack of proper stone (2) selection of substitute dravya (3) homa with Siṃha-vidyā; clear altar geometry and implements.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: intimate ritual chamber with fire pit, attendants holding offering bowls; the officiant recites from a manuscript; a lion banner or emblem indicates Siṃha-vidyā; fine detailing of smoke and light."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: varṇādyāpādānaṃ = varṇa-ādi-āpādānam (ā + ā contraction); varṇataḥ is tasil-anta avyaya; juhyāt is optative of √hu.
Related Themes: Agni Purāṇa 43 (material defects and remedies; homa/prāyaścitta-like substitutions)
FAQs
It teaches a contingency rule for homa: if the prescribed varṇa-specific ritual stone is not available, perform the oblation using an approved substitute, empowered through the Siṃha-vidyā mantra/rite.
Beyond theology, it preserves practical ritual engineering—how to adapt procedures when standard implements are missing—showing the text’s wide coverage of applied mantra-ritual protocols.
It safeguards the efficacy and purity of the rite despite material constraints, emphasizing that correct mantra-authorization (vidyā) can maintain ritual merit when ideal requisites cannot be procured.
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