Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 24
पवित्रारोहणविधिः
The Rite of Raising/Placing the Pavitra
समारोप्य समभ्यर्च्य पुष्पधूपाक्षतादिभिः अन्तर्बलिं पवित्रञ्च रुद्रादिभ्यो निवेदयेत्
samāropya samabhyarcya puṣpadhūpākṣatādibhiḥ antarbaliṃ pavitrañca rudrādibhyo nivedayet
เมื่ออัญเชิญ/สถาปนาแล้วบูชาโดยชอบด้วยดอกไม้ ธูป ข้าวสารไม่แตก (อักษตะ) เป็นต้น พึงถวาย “อันตรพลี” และ “ปวิตระ” (ด้าย/สายศักดิ์สิทธิ์) แด่พระรุทระและเทพทั้งหลายอื่น ๆ।
Lord Agni (in instruction to Sage Vasiṣṭha, Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vrata","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"To perform āvāhana/installation, upacāra worship, and then offer antar-bali and pavitra to Rudra and associated deities as part of Śaiva ritual protocol.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Rudrādi-upacāra with antar-bali and pavitra-nivedana","lookup_keywords":["samāropya","abhyarcya","puṣpa-dhūpa-akṣata","antar-bali","pavitra"],"quick_summary":"After installing and worshipping with standard offerings, the practitioner presents inner bali and the consecrated pavitra to Rudra and the attendant deities, completing the offering-cycle."}
Concept: Devotional action becomes complete through sequential upacāra and proper distribution of offerings (bali) to the deity and retinue.
Application: Follow a fixed order: installation → upacāra (flowers/incense/akṣata) → antar-bali → pavitra offering to Rudrādi.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Rudra/Śiva-upacāra and bali-nivedana rites)
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A deity is ritually installed on a pedestal/altar; the worshipper offers flowers, incense, and akṣata; then presents a small inner bali and a sacred pavitra cord to Rudra and attendant deities.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: Rudra shrine setting with lamp-lit ambience, priest offering puṣpa and dhūpa, akṣata in a bowl, small bali portions arranged, pavitra cord held reverently, bold outlines and warm tones.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: Rudra icon with gold halo, worshipper presenting a tray with flowers, incense, rice, and pavitra; rich ornamentation, gold leaf on jewelry and arch, symmetrical composition.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: clear step-by-step ritual scene, labeled items (puṣpa, dhūpa, akṣata, antar-bali, pavitra), refined linework and gentle colors, instructional clarity.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: detailed offering table with incense smoke, rice grains, flower garlands; Rudra icon in niche; worshipper extending pavitra cord; fine textile patterns and architectural framing."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Kedar","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: puṣpadhūpākṣatādibhiḥ = puṣpa + dhūpa + akṣata + ādibhiḥ; pavitrañca = pavitram + ca (m + c → ñc).
Related Themes: Agni Purana sections on upacāra (ṣoḍaśopacāra) and bali-vidhi; Agni Purana Śaiva-pūjā procedures for Rudra and gaṇas
FAQs
It teaches a concrete sequence in worship: after installing and worshipping with standard upacāras (flowers, incense, akṣata), the practitioner must formally offer antar-bali and a pavitra to Rudra and associated deities.
Beyond mythology, it preserves operational temple/household liturgy—precise offerings (akṣata, dhūpa), specialized items (pavitra), and procedural steps (installation → worship → bali-nivedana), showing the text’s coverage of applied ritual technology.
By offering antar-bali and pavitra to Rudra and related deities after proper worship, the rite is completed with purity and propitiation, aiming to remove ritual impediments and secure auspiciousness and merit (puṇya).