Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 8
Chapter 61 — द्वारप्रतिष्ठाध्वजारोहाणादिविधिः
Gateway Installation, Flag Hoisting, and Allied Rites
समाप्तौ शुकनाशाया वेद्याः प्राग्दर्भमस्तके सौवर्णं राजतं कुम्भमथवा शुक्लनिर्मितं
samāptau śukanāśāyā vedyāḥ prāgdarbhamastake sauvarṇaṃ rājataṃ kumbhamathavā śuklanirmitaṃ
เมื่อสิ้นสุดส่วนศุกนาศา ให้ตั้งกุมภะ (หม้อน้ำศักดิ์สิทธิ์) ที่ปลายหญ้าทรรภะด้านตะวันออกของเวที เป็นกุมภะทำด้วยทองหรือเงิน หรือทำด้วยวัสดุสีขาวอันบริสุทธิ์
Lord Agni (in discourse to sage Vasiṣṭha, Agni Purana’s primary narration frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vrata","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Kalasha-sthapana in vedi-based pūjā: selecting a pure kumbha material and placing it at the prescribed altar point for ritual efficacy and auspiciousness.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Kalasha placement at the śukanāśā end of the vedi","lookup_keywords":["śukanāśā","vedi","darbha-tip","kumbha","kalasha-sthāpana"],"quick_summary":"At the vedi’s projecting end (śukanāśā), place a gold/silver (or otherwise pure white) water-pot on the eastern darbha-tip, establishing the ritual locus for consecration."}
Concept: Śuddhi (purity) and niyama (exact placement) as the basis of ritual potency.
Application: Use prescribed materials and directions (east, darbha) to stabilize sankalpa and ensure consistent pūjā outcomes.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Vedi, Darbha, Kalasha-sthapana)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritual altar (vedi) with a projecting beak-like end (śukanāśā); at the eastern darbha-tip sits a shining gold/silver (or white) water-pot prepared for worship.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, warm earthy palette, a vedi with darbha arranged neatly, priest placing a gleaming kalasha at the eastern tip near the śukanāśā, minimal background, sacred geometry accents.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, rich reds and greens, gold-foil highlights on the kalasha, stylized vedi and darbha, priest in traditional attire placing the pot with reverence, ornate border.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, fine linework, instructional clarity: labeled-looking vedi layout, darbha-tip emphasized, kalasha placement shown precisely, soft pastel wash.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed ritual pavilion, precise depiction of darbha and altar geometry, metallic kalasha rendered with reflective highlights, attendants observing quietly."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: prāgdarbhamastake → prāk + darbha-mastake; kumbhamathavā → kumbham + atha-vā; śuklanirmitaṃ → śukla-nirmitam.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 61 (Pūjā-vidhi: vedi, darbha, kalasha)
FAQs
It prescribes the precise placement and acceptable materials of the ritual kumbha/kalasha at the altar’s śukanāśā end—gold, silver, or a pure white substitute—positioned on the eastern darbha arrangement.
By documenting exact altar-topography terms (like śukanāśā), directional rules (east), and sanctioned ritual materials for vessels, it functions as a practical manual of pūjā and yajña procedure alongside the Purana’s broader subjects.
Correct kalasha placement and purity of materials are treated as essential to ritual correctness (śuddhi and saṃskāra), supporting the intended sanctification of the rite and the merit (puṇya) arising from properly completed worship.