Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 15
Chapter 68 — यात्रोत्सवविधिकथनं
Account of the Procedure for the Processional Festival / Yātrā-Utsava Vidhi
निम्नगायोजनादर्वाक् तत्र वेदीन्तु कारयेत् वाहनादवतार्यैनं तस्यां वेद्यान्निवेशयेत्
nimnagāyojanādarvāk tatra vedīntu kārayet vāhanādavatāryainaṃ tasyāṃ vedyānniveśayet
ณที่ต่ำกว่าระดับแนวที่กำหนดด้วยเชือกและหลัก พึงให้สร้างเวทีบูชา แล้วอัญเชิญลงจากพาหนะและประดิษฐานไว้บนมณฑปเวทีนั้น
Lord Agni (in discourse to sage Vasiṣṭha, as per the common Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Puja-vidhi","secondary_vidya":"Vastu","practical_application":"Guidance for constructing and positioning a yajña-vedī relative to measured alignment (cord/pegs), and seating the deity/personage on the vedī after dismounting from the vehicle.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Yajña-vedī placement below the measured alignment; seating after dismounting","lookup_keywords":["yajña-vedī","rajju-kīla measurement","nimnaga","vāhana","niveśana"],"quick_summary":"Construct the altar at a slightly lower level than the marked alignment, then have the honored one (deity/icon) dismount from the vehicle and be installed upon the vedī platform."}
Concept: Ritual efficacy depends on correct deśa-kāla-krama (place-time-sequence), including measured construction and proper installation.
Application: Use cords and pegs for layout; ensure stable, slightly lowered altar area for safe seating/installation and controlled movement in rites.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Yajna-vedi-nirmana and ritual procedure)
Primary Rasa: Shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Ritual ground with cords and pegs marking alignment; workers build a low altar platform at a slightly lower level; the festival icon/personage dismounts from a vehicle and is seated on the vedī.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, temple courtyard with marked cords and pegs, artisans shaping a low vedī, priest supervising, icon being guided down from a palanquin/vehicle, earthy palette and stylized figures","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, altar platform with decorative borders, priest and attendants assisting the icon’s descent from a vehicle, gold accents on ritual vessels and platform trim","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, diagrammatic clarity: cords, pegs, measured lines, stepped ground level showing ‘lower than alignment’, priest placing the icon on the vedī, neat architectural framing","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed courtyard scene with survey cords, craftsmen, attendants lowering the icon from a vehicle, fine textures on ground and garments, balanced composition"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: vedīntu: vedīm + tu (m + t → nt). avatāryainaṃ: avatārya + enam (a+e→ai). vedyānniveśayet: vedyām + niveśayet (m + n → nn).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 68 (vedi-nirmāṇa and installation steps around utsava/homa)
FAQs
It gives a precise procedural rule for yajña-setup: where to construct the vedī in relation to the measured layout, and how to ceremonially bring down and seat the honoured person/officiant on the vedī.
It preserves practical, step-by-step ritual engineering—measurement conventions, altar placement, and installation protocol—showing the text’s coverage beyond mythology into applied liturgy and sacred space management.
Correct placement of the vedī and proper installation of the participant/officiant are treated as ensuring ritual purity and efficacy, supporting the intended merit (puṇya) of the sacrifice through disciplined procedure.