Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 9
Chapter 43 — प्रासाददेवतास्थापनम्
Installation of Deities in a Temple
पूर्वादौ केशवादीन् वा अन्यधामस्वयं हरिं मृण्मयी दारुघटिता लोहजा रत्नजा तथा
pūrvādau keśavādīn vā anyadhāmasvayaṃ hariṃ mṛṇmayī dārughaṭitā lohajā ratnajā tathā
เมื่อหันหน้าไปทางทิศตะวันออกและทิศอื่น ๆ พึงสร้างรูปพระหริเองในรูปเคศวะเป็นต้น หรือเป็นพระหริผู้สถิตในธามอื่นก็ได้ รูปเคารพอาจทำด้วยดินเหนียว แกะจากไม้ หล่อด้วยโลหะ หรือทำด้วยอัญมณีด้วยเช่นกัน.
Lord Agni (teaching the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Shilpa","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Selection and fabrication of Vaiṣṇava mūrti-s for installation and daily worship, including orientation and permissible materials.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Vaiṣṇava-pratimā: Keśavādi-rūpa, dik-niyama, dravya-bheda","lookup_keywords":["Keśava","Hari-pratimā","dik (east-facing)","mṛṇmaya/dāru/loha/ratna","mūrti-nirmāṇa"],"quick_summary":"Fashion Hari’s icon in Keśava and related forms, oriented to the directions (notably east). Permitted media include clay, wood, metal, and jewels—useful for adapting worship to resources and context."}
Concept: Bhagavad-ārādhana through properly made and oriented pratimā; material plurality supports accessibility without abandoning śāstra.
Application: Choose a feasible medium (clay/wood/metal/jewel) while maintaining icon’s theological identity (Keśavādi) and correct orientation for worship efficacy.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Murti-nirmana & Pratishtha / Vaishnava iconography)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: śānta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A sculptor-priest prepares a Vaiṣṇava icon of Hari (Keśava-form), aligned to the east, with samples of clay, wood, metal casting, and jewels displayed as options.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style: priest and sthapati in a sanctum-like space, east-facing Viṣṇu/Keśava icon outline, earthy reds/ochres, ritual vessels and material samples (clay lump, wooden block, metal mold, gem tray), flat iconic composition.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting: central east-facing Viṣṇu/Keśava icon with ornate arch, gold-leaf highlights on jewelry and halo, side panels showing clay/wood/metal/gem materials, rich maroons and greens.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting: instructional layout—diagram of directional facing (east) and four material options labeled, delicate linework, soft shading, minimal background, emphasis on craft process.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: atelier scene with artisans carving wood and preparing metal mold, a priest indicating east with a compass-like gesture, detailed textiles and tools, jewel box open, fine architectural interior."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: pūrvādau = pūrva-ādau (avayavībhāva); anyadhāmasvayaṃ treated as adverbial compound (anya-dhāma-svayam); dārughaṭitā = dāru-ghaṭitā; mṛṇmayī = mṛṇ-mayī.
Related Themes: Agni Purāṇa 43 (pratimā-lakṣaṇa, dravya-parīkṣā, pratiṣṭhā-vidhi)
FAQs
It specifies iconographic practice: Vishnu (Hari) may be installed/represented in directional forms beginning with Keśava, and it lists valid murti materials—clay, wood, metal, and gems.
It exemplifies the text’s practical temple-ritual and iconography coverage—cataloging deity-forms by direction and prescribing acceptable construction materials, alongside its many other disciplines.
By prescribing proper forms and materials for Hari’s icon, it supports correct worship and consecration, understood in Purāṇic practice to yield purification and religious merit through orderly devotion.