Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 37
Chapter 59 — अधिवासनकथनं
Adhivāsana: The Rite of Inviting and Stabilizing Hari’s Presence
एतत् साधारणं प्रोक्तमादिर्मूर्तेस्तु सत्तम अथवा यस्य देवस्य प्रारब्धं स्थापनं भवेत्
etat sādhāraṇaṃ proktamādirmūrtestu sattama athavā yasya devasya prārabdhaṃ sthāpanaṃ bhavet
ดูก่อนผู้ประเสริฐในหมู่ผู้มีคุณธรรม ข้อนี้ได้ประกาศว่าเป็นวิธีทั่วไป—เป็นกฎเบื้องต้นสำหรับการประดิษฐานรูปเคารพ (มูรติ). หรือให้ใช้เฉพาะแก่เทพองค์ใดที่กำลังกระทำพิธีประดิษฐานอยู่นั้น
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha, per the Agni Purana’s standard dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Guideline for pratishtha: establishes that the described steps are a general preliminary protocol for image-installation, adaptable to the specific deity being installed.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Sādhāraṇa (general) preliminary rule for mūrti-pratiṣṭhā, adaptable per deity","lookup_keywords":["pratishtha","sadharana-vidhi","murti","sthapana","devata-specific"],"quick_summary":"Treat the preceding as a common baseline for consecration; then tailor details to the particular deity whose installation is undertaken."}
Concept: Sāmānya-vidhi vs viśeṣa-vidhi: general rules apply unless a deity-specific injunction overrides.
Application: When performing installation, begin with the shared preliminaries, then consult deity-specific mantra/nyasa/offerings for the chosen form.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Pratishtha-vidhi (Icon installation and consecration procedures)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A priest explaining a general consecration manual, indicating that the same preliminary steps apply to different deity-images awaiting installation.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, temple sanctum setting with multiple mūrtis covered in cloth, ācārya holding palm-leaf manuscript, gesture of instruction, warm lamp light, ornamental temple pillars","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, richly decorated sanctum, priest with manuscript and ritual vessels, several deity icons in the background with gold halos, emphasis on ‘general rule’ through symmetrical composition","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional tableau: ācārya pointing to a checklist scroll labeled ‘sādhāraṇa-vidhi’, artisans and assistants preparing pedestal and kumbha, clean lines and clarity","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, scholarly assembly with illustrated manual, different deity icons on stands, the teacher indicating adaptability, fine architectural detailing"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: प्रोक्तमादिः → प्रोक्तम् + आदिः; मूर्तेस्तु → मूर्तेः + तु (विसर्ग-सन्धि: ḥ + t → s t)।
Related Themes: Agni Purana 59 (pratiṣṭhā preliminaries and subsequent deity-specific adaptations)
FAQs
It distinguishes between a universal, baseline procedure for image installation (sādhāraṇa-vidhi) and the need to switch to deity-specific prescriptions when a particular deity’s consecration is being performed.
By codifying a modular ritual framework—general rules plus specialized variants—it functions like a technical manual, showing how the Purana systematizes temple practice across many deities and contexts.
It emphasizes ritual correctness (yathā-vidhi), implying that proper alignment of general and deity-specific rites safeguards the sanctity and efficacy (phala) of the consecration.