Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 37
Chapter 61 — द्वारप्रतिष्ठाध्वजारोहाणादिविधिः
Gateway Installation, Flag Hoisting, and Allied Rites
नेत्रोन्मीलनकं त्यक्ता पूर्वोक्तं सर्वमाचरेत् अधिवासयेच्च विधिना शय्यायां स्थाप्य देशिकः
netronmīlanakaṃ tyaktā pūrvoktaṃ sarvamācaret adhivāsayecca vidhinā śayyāyāṃ sthāpya deśikaḥ
ให้ละเว้นพิธี ‘เปิดพระเนตร’ แล้วอาจารย์ผู้ประกอบพิธีพึงปฏิบัติตามขั้นตอนที่กล่าวไว้ทั้งหมด จากนั้นตามแบบแผน ให้ประดิษฐาน (องค์เทพ/รูปเคารพ) บนแท่นบรรทมพิธี แล้วประกอบอธิวาสนะตามวิธี.
Lord Agni (in dialogue, instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Puja-vidhi","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Guiding the officiant (deśika) in consecration sequence: omit netronmīlana, perform prior steps, then conduct adhivāsana by placing the image/deity on the ritual bed.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Adhivāsana on śayyā; omission of netronmīlana","lookup_keywords":["netronmīlana","adhivāsana","śayyā","deśika","pratiṣṭhā-krama"],"quick_summary":"Except for the eye-opening rite, complete the earlier procedures; then the officiating teacher places the deity/image on the ritual bed and performs adhivāsana according to rule."}
Concept: Ritual life-cycle of the icon: staged sanctification culminates in adhivāsana; selective omission (netronmīlana) indicates variant krama and contextual adaptability.
Application: In a given pratiṣṭhā-krama, follow the authorized sequence under a qualified deśika; perform śayyā-adhivāsana carefully as the stabilizing prelude to final rites.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Diksha & Pratishtha / Temple and Icon Ritual Procedures)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A consecration pavilion where the deśika places the image on a decorated ritual bed (śayyā) and performs adhivāsana; attendants hold lamps and vessels; the ‘eye-opening’ rite is explicitly not shown, emphasizing omission.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, serene maṇḍapa interior, deśika placing icon on ornate śayyā, oil lamps, ritual pots, calm faces, flat vivid palette and temple motifs","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, icon on jeweled ritual bed with gold foil highlights, deśika performing rites with conch and lamp, rich textiles and ornamental borders","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear stepwise depiction: prior rites implied, focus on śayyā placement and adhivāsana gestures, soft colors, instructional clarity","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed textiles of the ritual bed, priestly figures in precise postures, architectural pavilion with patterned floor, subdued sacred ambiance"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सर्वमाचरेत् = सर्वम् + आचरेत्; अधिवासयेच्च = अधिवासयेत् + च.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 61.36 (adhivāsa and maṇḍapa rites); Agni Purana Puja-vidhi/pratiṣṭhā sections (netronmīlana and related saṃskāras, general)
FAQs
It teaches sequencing in image-consecration: omit the netronmīlana step at this point, complete the earlier rites, and then perform adhivāsana by placing the image/deity on the ritual śayyā under the deśika’s supervision.
It preserves a precise, manual-like protocol for pratiṣṭhā (installation/consecration), showing the Agni Purana’s coverage of applied ritual technology—step order, specialist roles (deśika), and specific sub-rites (netronmīlana, adhivāsana).
Correct performance and order of consecration rites is held to ensure ritual purity and effective invocation of divine presence; adhering to vidhis is traditionally linked with merit (puṇya) and avoidance of doṣa (ritual fault).