Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 10
Chapter 68 — यात्रोत्सवविधिकथनं
Account of the Procedure for the Processional Festival / Yātrā-Utsava Vidhi
शयनोत्थापने गृहे इति ख, चिह्नितपुस्तकपाठः शयनोत्थापने हरेरिति ङ, चिह्नितपुस्तकपाठः समाचरेदिति ग, चिह्नितपुस्तकपाठः चतुःस्तम्भान्तु तन्मध्ये स्वस्तिके प्रतिमां न्यसेत् काम्यार्थां लेख्यचित्रेषु स्थाप्य तत्राधिवासयेत्
śayanotthāpane gṛhe iti kha, cihnitapustakapāṭhaḥ śayanotthāpane hareriti ṅa, cihnitapustakapāṭhaḥ samācarediti ga, cihnitapustakapāṭhaḥ catuḥstambhāntu tanmadhye svastike pratimāṃ nyaset kāmyārthāṃ lekhyacitreṣu sthāpya tatrādhivāsayet
ในมณฑปสี่เสา ให้ตั้งรูปเคารพของเทพไว้กลางผังสวัสดิกะ เพื่อความสำเร็จแห่งความปรารถนา เมื่อจัดวางท่ามกลางภาพพิธีที่เขียนหรือวาดแล้ว พึงประกอบอธิวาสนะ (การปลุกเสกเบื้องต้น) ณ ที่นั้น.
Lord Agni (traditionally instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"For icon installation/consecration preliminaries: construct/choose a four-pillared pavilion, place the icon at the center on a svastika diagram, optionally within a painted/inscribed ritual field for specific desired results, and perform adhivāsana (pre-consecratory ‘dwelling’ rite) there.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Catuḥstambha-maṇḍapa installation: svastika-nyāsa and adhivāsana of the pratima","lookup_keywords":["catuḥstambha","maṇḍapa","svastika","pratimā-nyāsa","adhivāsana"],"quick_summary":"The icon is installed in a four-pillared pavilion, centered on a svastika diagram, and ritually ‘seated’ through adhivāsana. Painted/drawn ritual imagery may be used for kāmya (goal-oriented) consecrations."}
Concept: Form (mūrti), space (maṇḍapa), and diagram (maṇḍala) cooperate to make divine presence ritually accessible; intention (kāmya vs. niṣkāmya) shapes the setup.
Application: When performing prāṇa-pratiṣṭhā preliminaries, ensure stable, symmetrical space; mark a svastika at the center; keep the icon elevated and protected; perform adhivāsana before full consecration.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Vastu (Icon installation and consecration rites)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: śānta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A four-pillared pavilion with a central svastika diagram on the floor; priests place an icon at the center and begin adhivāsana; painted ritual panels surround the space for kāmya purpose.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: catuḥstambha pavilion interior, bold svastika-maṇḍala on floor, icon being placed at center by priests, surrounding painted ritual motifs, lamps and garlands, earthy reds/ochres, sacred geometry emphasized.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: central icon on a decorated pedestal over a gold-highlighted svastika, four ornate pillars, priests performing adhivāsana with lamps and flowers, rich jewel tones, heavy gold leaf on borders and halo-like ornamentation.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: technical clarity—four pillars, measured symmetry, svastika diagram, icon placement at center, labeled-like depiction of painted panels; delicate lines, soft shading, instructional composition.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: architectural pavilion with four columns, precise floor pattern of svastika, artisans/priests arranging icon and painted panels, fine textile and border detailing, balanced perspective."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shree","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: Verse contains manuscript notes; analyzed the main operative pādas: चतुःस्तम्भान्तु = चतुःस्तम्भान् + तु; तन्मध्ये = तत् + मध्ये; तत्राधिवासयेत् = तत्र + अधिवासयेत्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana: Pratimā-lakṣaṇa and prāṇa-pratiṣṭhā/adhivāsana related chapters; Agni Purana: Maṇḍala-vidhi and pavilion/maṇḍapa construction notes in Vāstu/Shilpa sections
FAQs
It gives a pratimā-sthāpana/adhivāsana procedure: place the icon at the center of a four-pillared pavilion on a svastika-diagram, situate it with ritual drawings/paintings, and perform preliminary consecration there for achieving a desired result.
It exemplifies the Agni Purana’s practical ritual-technology—covering temple layout, diagrammatic placement (svastika), and consecration stages (adhivāsana)—alongside its many other domains like polity, medicine, and arts.
Correct placement and adhivāsana are presented as ritually efficacious: they sanctify the icon’s presence and are intended to secure the practitioner’s chosen religious aim (kāmya-phala) through properly ordered worship.