Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 3
Chapter 57 — कुम्भाधिवासविधिः
Kumbhādhivāsa-vidhi: Rite of Installing/Consecrating the Ritual Jar
अच्छिन्नधारया सिञ्चन् ब्रीहीन् संस्कृत्य धारयेत् अस्त्रमन्त्रेण कवचमिति ङ, चिह्नितपुस्तकपाठः प्रदक्षिणं परिभ्राम्य कलशं विकिरोपरि
acchinnadhārayā siñcan brīhīn saṃskṛtya dhārayet astramantreṇa kavacamiti ṅa, cihnitapustakapāṭhaḥ pradakṣiṇaṃ paribhrāmya kalaśaṃ vikiropari
พึงประพรมด้วยสายน้ำที่ไม่ขาดตอน ชำระเมล็ดข้าวสารให้บริสุทธิ์แล้วถือไว้ในมือ ตามข้อความในฉบับที่ทำเครื่องหมายไว้ ให้ประกอบพิธีคาวจะ (พิธีคุ้มครอง) ด้วยอัสตรมนต์ ครั้นเวียนประทักษิณแล้ว พึงโปรย (เมล็ดนั้น) ลงบนหม้อพิธี (กละศะ) ด้านบน।
Lord Agni (in dialogue form, instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha in ritual procedure)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Kalasha protection and sanctification: continuous-stream sprinkling, purification/holding of rice grains, kavaca application via Astra-mantra, circumambulation, and scattering grains over the kalaśa.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Astra-mantra Kavaca with Akhaṇḍa-dhārā Prokṣaṇa and Brīhi-vikīraṇa over Kalaśa","lookup_keywords":["akhandadhara","prokshana","astra-mantra","kavacha","kalasha-vikiran"],"quick_summary":"Sanctify by sprinkling in an unbroken stream, purify and hold brīhi, apply protective kavaca using the Astra-mantra, circumambulate, and scatter the grains upon the kalaśa to seal auspicious protection."}
Concept: Ritual ‘sealing’ (bandhana) through continuous flow, rightward movement, and mantra-armor—symbolizing uninterrupted auspiciousness and guarded boundaries.
Application: In consecrations: ensure akhaṇḍa-dhārā (steady pour), perform pradakṣiṇā without breaking attention, and finish with brīhi-vikīraṇa as a visible protective marker.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Kalasha-abhiṣeka and protective rites / kavaca-prayoga)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A priest pours consecrated water in an unbroken stream, holds purified rice grains, performs Astra-mantra kavaca gestures, circumambulates the kalaśa, and scatters grains over it.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, dynamic arc of water stream (akhaṇḍa-dhārā) over a decorated kalaśa, priest mid-pradakṣiṇā, rice grains as stylized white specks, protective aura ring around the pot, earthy pigments and bold contours","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central kalaśa with gold embellishments, shimmering water stream rendered with highlights, priest scattering brīhi, gold foil halo-like kavaca ring, ornate lamps and floral motifs","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear instructional depiction of steps: pouring, holding brīhi, pradakṣiṇā path, final scattering; fine lines, gentle colors, emphasis on implement accuracy","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed ritual chamber, continuous water stream from a small vessel, priest walking clockwise, grains scattering captured as fine dots, architectural depth and patterned carpets"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: अच्छिन्नधारया = अच्छिन्न + धारया; अस्त्रमन्त्रेण = अस्त्र + मन्त्रेण; कवचमिति = कवचम् + इति; विकिरोपरि = विकिरः/विकिर + उपरि. ‘ङ’ and ‘चिह्नितपुस्तकपाठः’ are editorial notes, not padas of the verse.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 57.2 (Astra-mantra in vessel worship); Agni Purana 56 (directional protection logic)
FAQs
It gives a precise kalasha-ritual step: consecrate rice-grains by sprinkling with an unbroken flow of water, perform kavaca using the Astra-mantra for protection, circumambulate clockwise, and then scatter the grains upon the kalasha.
It preserves minute procedural details of pūjā-vidhi—mantra-application (Astra-mantra), protective kavaca practice, and kalasha handling—showing the Agni Purana’s role as a practical manual of ritual technology alongside its many other subjects.
The unbroken sprinkling, kavaca with Astra-mantra, and pradakṣiṇa are purification-and-protection acts meant to ward off obstacles (vighna), sanctify the ritual vessel, and ensure the rite yields auspicious, merit-bearing results.