Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 8
Chapter 62 — Lakṣmīpratiṣṭhāvidhiḥ
The Procedure for Installing Lakṣmī
आर्द्रां पुष्करिणीं गन्धैर् आर्द्रामित्यादिपुष्पकैः तन्मयावह मन्त्रेण य आनन्द ऋचाखिलं
ārdrāṃ puṣkariṇīṃ gandhair ārdrāmityādipuṣpakaiḥ tanmayāvaha mantreṇa ya ānanda ṛcākhilaṃ
พึงทำสระบัวให้ชุ่มและหอมด้วยเครื่องหอม และถวายดอกไม้ที่ปลุกเสกด้วยมนตร์ที่ขึ้นต้นว่า “อารฺทฺรามฺ…”. ด้วยมนตร์ ‘ตันมยาวหะ’ พึงยังความเป็นอันหนึ่งอันเดียวกับเทวะให้เกิดขึ้น; แล้วจึงใช้/สวดฤก “อานันทะ” ทั้งหมด.
Lord Agni (teaching ritual procedure)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Pūjā-vidhi: gandha-puṣpa-saṃskāra, mantra-prayoga, and bhāva-sādhana to induce deity-identification (tanmayatā) during worship.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Ārdrām-mantra puṣpa-saṃskāra and Tanmayāvaha absorption in pūjā","lookup_keywords":["ārdrām mantra","tanmayāvaha","puṣpa-saṃskāra","gandha","ānanda ṛk"],"quick_summary":"Moisten and perfume the ritual lotus-pond/lotus-seat, consecrate flowers with the ‘ārdrām…’ mantra, then use the ‘tanmayāvaha’ mantra to effect identity with the deity; the Ānanda-ṛk is recited as the Vedic support."}
Concept: Tanmayatā (deity-identification) as an inner completion of outer offerings; mantra as the vehicle of bhāva and presence.
Application: During arcana, coordinate sensory offerings (gandha/puṣpa) with mantra to stabilize one-pointed absorption rather than mere external ritualism.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Tantric/Vedic worship and mantra-nyasa procedures)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A worshipper perfumes and moistens a lotus-pond/lotus-seat, sprinkles consecrated flowers while reciting ‘ārdrām…’, then sits in absorbed identity invoking the ‘tanmayāvaha’ mantra with a Vedic ṛk chanted in the background.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, priest in white dhoti performing pūjā beside a stylized lotus-pond and lotus-seat, fragrant smoke and flower shower, sacred syllables subtly inscribed, serene adbhuta mood, flat bold colors, traditional ornamentation","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central lotus-seat with ritual perfumes and flowers, priest offering blossoms, gold-leaf highlights on lotus petals and ritual vessels, ornate arch framing, devotional yet instructional composition","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, detailed step-by-step ritual scene: perfume vessel, flower basket labeled, priest reciting mantra, soft shading, clean linework, instructional clarity with traditional elegance","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, intimate pavilion scene with a small lotus tank, attendant holding perfume tray, priest scattering flowers, calligraphic mantra panel, fine detailing and pastel palette"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Hamsadhwani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: गन्धैर् → गन्धैः (visarga sandhi). आर्द्रामित्यादिपुष्पकैः segmented as आर्द्राम् + इति + आदि + पुष्पकैः. तन्मयावह treated as a tatpuruṣa compound epithet.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 62 (Pūjā-vidhi: nyāsa/arcana sequence)
FAQs
It teaches a consecration-style worship step: sanctifying a sacred tank (puṣkariṇī) using perfumes and mantra-empowered flowers, along with a specific absorption/identity-producing mantra (tanmayāvaha) and a complete Vedic ṛk recitation (“Ānanda” ṛk).
It preserves precise, procedural ritual technology—materials (gandha, puṣpa), mantra-incidents (“ārdrām…”) and specialized mantras (tanmayāvaha)—showing how the Agni Purana catalogs practical liturgy alongside its many other disciplines.
By mantra-consecrating offerings and inducing ‘tanmayatā’ (devotional absorption/identity with the deity), the rite is framed as purificatory and merit-producing, making the worshipper’s mind and the sacred space ritually fit for higher worship and blessing.