Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 5
Chapter 69 — स्नानविधानम्
Rules for Ritual Bathing / Snapanotsava-vidhi
शालिचूर्णादिनापूर्य पूर्वादिनवकेषु च कुम्भमुद्रां ततो बध्वा घटं तत्रानयेद् बुधः
śālicūrṇādināpūrya pūrvādinavakeṣu ca kumbhamudrāṃ tato badhvā ghaṭaṃ tatrānayed budhaḥ
เมื่อเติมแป้งข้าวสารเป็นต้นลงในทั้งเก้าตำแหน่งเริ่มจากทิศตะวันออกแล้ว ผู้รู้พึงทำกุมภมุทรา จากนั้นอัญเชิญหม้อพิธี (ฆฏะ/กะลศะ) มายังที่นั้น
Lord Agni (in instruction to the sage Vasiṣṭha, as per the common Agni Purana dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Vastu","practical_application":"Kalasha-sthapana preparation: filling nine directional stations with rice-flour etc., performing kumbha-mudra, and installing/bringing the ritual pot to its correct locus.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Navaka-purana with shali-curna and kumbha-mudra for ghata-sthapana","lookup_keywords":["navaka","shali-curna","kumbha-mudra","kalasha","puja-vidhi"],"quick_summary":"Prepare the nine positions (starting from the east) with rice-flour and related substances, then seal the act with kumbha-mudra and place/bring the kalasha to its appointed spot."}
Concept: Nyasa and mudra as embodied intention: correct placement and gesture ‘seal’ the rite.
Application: Follow directional sequencing and mudra discipline to avoid ritual error (kriya-bhramsha).
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Ritual procedure; kumbha/kalasha-sthapana and mudra-nyasa)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Nine marked stations around a mandala are being filled with rice-flour; the officiant forms kumbha-mudra with hands while an assistant carries a decorated kalasha toward the center/east-marked place.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, bold outlines, priest demonstrating kumbha-mudra, nine stations with white rice-flour heaps, kalasha with coconut and leaves, ritual lamps nearby","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, gold-highlighted kalasha and ornaments, nine directional heaps, priest hands in mudra, rich textile patterns and temple border motifs","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear instructional depiction of nine positions (east-first), neat heaps of shali-curna, precise hand-gesture kumbha-mudra, calm palette","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed floor plan with nine placements, attendants with trays of rice-flour, priest forming mudra, ornate pot carried in, architectural niche backdrop"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"focused","suggested_raga":"Shuddha Sarang","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: शालिचूर्णादिनापूर्य = शालिचूर्णादिना + आपूर्य; तत्रानयेत् = तत्र + आनयेत्।
Related Themes: Agni Purana 69 (puja-vidhi: kalasha/kumbha procedures)
FAQs
It teaches a concrete step in kumbha/kalasha-sthāpana: filling prescribed directional placements with rice-flour etc., then performing the kumbha-mudrā and ceremonially bringing the ritual pot to its proper location.
Beyond mythology, the Agni Purana preserves procedural ritual technology—directional layouts, required substances, and mudrā-practice—functioning like a compact manual for temple and domestic worship.
Correct placement and mudrā-based handling of the kalasha is treated as a means of ritual purification and orderly invocation of sacred presence, supporting merit (puṇya) through accurate, disciplined worship.