Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 18
Chapter 68 — यात्रोत्सवविधिकथनं
Account of the Procedure for the Processional Festival / Yātrā-Utsava Vidhi
स्नायान्महाजनैर् विप्रैर् वेद्यामुत्तार्य तं न्यसेत् पूजयित्वा तदह्ना च प्रासादं तु नयेत्ततः पूजयेत् पावकस्थन्तु गुरुः स्याद्भुक्तिमुक्तिकृत्
snāyānmahājanair viprair vedyāmuttārya taṃ nyaset pūjayitvā tadahnā ca prāsādaṃ tu nayettataḥ pūjayet pāvakasthantu guruḥ syādbhuktimuktikṛt
หลังอาบน้ำแล้ว พราหมณ์ผู้รู้และผู้ใหญ่ที่ควรเคารพพึงยกสิ่งนั้นขึ้นสู่แท่นบูชาและตั้งไว้ให้มั่นคง ครั้นบูชาแล้ว ในวันนั้นเองพึงนำเข้าสู่ปราสาท/มณฑปศาสนสถาน พึงบูชาสิ่งที่สถิตในไฟ; คุรุเช่นนั้นย่อมเป็นผู้ประทานทั้งภุกติและมุกติ
Lord Agni (narrating Agni Purana instructions, traditionally to Vashistha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vrata","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Consecration logistics: after bathing, qualified elders/Brāhmaṇas install the sacred element on the altar, worship it, and transfer it to the temple the same day; worship of the fire-established principle is linked with guru’s role in granting bhukti and mukti.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Vedi-nyāsa and Prāsāda-praveśa of the Consecrated Sacred Element (Fire-Established Worship)","lookup_keywords":["vedi","nyāsa","pāvaka-stha","prāsāda","bhukti-mukti-guru"],"quick_summary":"After ritual bathing, the consecrated element is lifted onto the altar, installed and worshipped, then taken into the temple that day; worship of the fire-established presence is taught as a means where the officiating guru becomes a giver of both prosperity and liberation."}
Concept: The guru/ācārya, by correct installation and worship, mediates both worldly welfare (bhukti) and liberation (mukti) through properly established sacred presence.
Application: Emphasizes qualified officiants, same-day procedural integrity, and the soteriological framing of temple consecration rites.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Vedic Fire Rituals and Consecration Procedures)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: Temple
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Elders and learned Brāhmaṇas, after bathing, lift a consecrated sacred element to the vedi, install and worship it, then carry it in procession into the temple; the guru presides near the fire.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, temple courtyard with vedi and blazing sacred fire, priests carrying a consecrated object on a palanquin-like support, guru seated near fire, stylized flames, warm ochres and greens, ritual solemnity.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, central Agni flame with gold-leaf aura, priests installing on vedi, ornate temple façade behind, procession toward sanctum, rich jewel tones, embossed gold for fire and ornaments.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, diagrammatic clarity: vedi placement, worship sequence, then temple entry, fine lines and soft shading, labeled ritual implements, calm instructional composition.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed architecture of temple and altar, group of Brahmins in white carrying the consecrated element, guru directing, delicate flame depiction, courtly precision and borders."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"solemn","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: snāyānmahājanair = snāyāt mahā-janaiḥ; vedyāmuttārya = vedyām uttārya; nayettataḥ = nayet tataḥ; pāvakasthantu = pāvaka-stham tu; syādbhuktimuktikṛt = syāt bhukti-mukti-kṛt.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 68 (festival and pūjā context); Agni Purana 69 (snāna/kalasha procedures that follow)
FAQs
It gives a step-sequence for consecratory handling of the sacred fire (or fire-established principle): bathe, place it upon the altar (vedi), worship it, and on the same day carry it into the temple and continue worship of the fire-established divinity.
It preserves practical liturgical protocol—altar placement, same-day temple transfer, and the role of qualified officiants—showing the Agni Purana’s coverage of temple ritual technology alongside theology.
Correct worship of the fire-established sacred presence under a competent guru is said to yield both bhukti (prosperity/desired enjoyments) and mukti (liberation), linking ritual correctness with spiritual fruition.