Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 2
Chapter 62 — Lakṣmīpratiṣṭhāvidhiḥ
The Procedure for Installing Lakṣmī
पूर्ववत् सकलं कुर्यान्मण्डपस्नपनादिकं भद्रपीठे श्रियं न्यस्य स्थापयेदष्ट वै घटान्
pūrvavat sakalaṃ kuryānmaṇḍapasnapanādikaṃ bhadrapīṭhe śriyaṃ nyasya sthāpayedaṣṭa vai ghaṭān
พึงประกอบพิธีทั้งปวงดังที่กำหนดไว้ก่อนหน้า คือพิธีมณฑป พิธีสฺนปนะ (อภิเษกชำระ) และกิจอื่น ๆ ครั้นประดิษฐานพระศรีบนภัทรปีฐแล้ว พึงตั้งกาลศะ (หม้อน้ำพิธี) แปดใบ
Lord Agni (instructional narration in the Agni Purana’s ritual sections)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vrata","secondary_vidya":"Vastu","practical_application":"Operational checklist for pratiṣṭhā: perform prior mandapa and snāna sequences, seat Lakṣmī on the bhadrapīṭha, and establish eight kalaśas for the rite—useful for temple consecration planning and layout.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Mandapa–Snāna–Bhadrapīṭha–Aṣṭa-kalaśa Sthāpana (Lakṣmī-pratiṣṭhā)","lookup_keywords":["maṇḍapa","snāna-vidhi","bhadrapīṭha","aṣṭa-kalaśa","lakṣmī-nyāsa"],"quick_summary":"Repeat the standard preparatory sequence (pavilion rites and ablutions), install Lakṣmī on the auspicious seat, then set up eight consecration pots as the ritual supports for invocation and sanctification."}
Concept: Pratiṣṭhā depends on saṃskāra (purification) and ādhāra (supports): mandapa and snāna purify; bhadrapīṭha and kalaśas stabilize presence and blessing.
Application: For a real installation: prepare mandapa layout, schedule snāna/abhiṣeka steps, procure and place eight kalaśas (water, leaves, coconut, threads as per local paddhati), and ensure a stable bhadrapīṭha for the deity.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Temple Rituals (Mandapa, Snana, Kalasha-sthapana)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: Tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A consecration pavilion (maṇḍapa) is prepared; Lakṣmī is placed on an auspicious bhadrapīṭha at the center, while eight kalaśas are arranged symmetrically around, ready for abhiṣeka and invocation.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, symmetrical mandapa interior, central bhadrapīṭha with Lakṣmī symbolized by lotus, eight decorated kalaśas with mango leaves and coconuts, priests arranging items, oil lamps and floral garlands","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, gold-leaf emphasis on kalaśa rims and bhadrapīṭha ornaments, Lakṣmī seated on lotus pedestal, rich temple textiles, precise eight-pot arrangement in a mandapa with pillars","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, diagrammatic clarity: top-down or three-quarter view showing eight kalaśas around the central seat, priests performing snāna preparations, clean lines and gentle colors for instructional use","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed mandapa architecture, attendants placing eight ornate pots, central pedestal with Lakṣmī icon, fine patterns on cloth and floor, balanced composition"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Malkauns","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: kuryānmaṇḍapasnapanādikaṃ = kuryāt + maṇḍapa-snapana-ādikam; sthāpayedaṣṭa = sthāpayet + aṣṭa.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 62 (Lakṣmī-pratiṣṭhā steps continuing beyond this setup); Agni Purana 61 (‘pūrvavat’ indicates reliance on earlier general pūjā sequences)
FAQs
It gives a procedural instruction for pūjā: repeat the earlier mandapa and snāpana preliminaries, perform Śrī-nyāsa on the bhadrapīṭha, and establish eight kalaśas (ritual pots) as part of consecration.
By preserving step-by-step liturgical engineering—mandapa preparation, ceremonial bathing, deity-installation (nyāsa), and multi-kalaśa setup—it documents practical temple-ritual technology alongside the Purana’s many other knowledge domains.
Installing Śrī and arranging the kalaśas formalizes auspiciousness and ritual purity, aiming to make the worship efficacious and merit-producing through correct consecration and orderly preliminaries.