Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 6
Abhiṣeka-Ādi-Kathana
Consecratory Bathing and Related Rites
कुर्यात् करद्वयायामां वेदीमष्टाङ्गुलोच्छ्रितां श्रीपर्णाद्यासने तत्र विन्यस्यानन्तमानसं
kuryāt karadvayāyāmāṃ vedīmaṣṭāṅgulocchritāṃ śrīparṇādyāsane tatra vinyasyānantamānasaṃ
พึงสร้างแท่นบูชา (เวที) ยาวสองช่วงมือ และยกสูงแปดความกว้างนิ้ว; ณ ที่นั้นบนอาสนะทำด้วยใบศรีปรรณะเป็นต้น พึงตั้งจิตแน่วแน่แล้ววางน्यासประดิษฐาน ‘อนันตะ’।
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purāṇa frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Specification of altar dimensions and the correct seat-material for installation; used by priests and temple artisans to build a compliant ritual platform.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Formula","entry_title":"Vedi-pramāṇa: two hand-spans length, eight aṅgula height; śrīparṇa-āsana for Ananta installation","lookup_keywords":["vedi-pramāṇa","karadvaya","aṅgula","śrīparṇa-āsana","Ananta"],"quick_summary":"Construct the vedi with stated measurements and place a sacred-leaf seat (śrīparṇa etc.) upon it; then install Ananta with focused mind. The verse functions as a compact building-and-installation specification."}
Concept: Outer precision (pramāṇa, materials) supports inner steadiness (mānasa-bhakti) in installation.
Application: Combine exact construction with deliberate mental focus when installing the deity; treat both as necessary limbs of the rite.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Ritual Procedure / Altar Construction and Installation)
Primary Rasa: śānta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A small altar-platform being measured (two hand-spans length, eight finger-breadths height), topped with a seat of sacred leaves; priest installs Ananta with hands in nyāsa and eyes closed in concentration.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, artisan-priest measuring a vedi with hand-span and aṅgula markers, green śrīparṇa leaves arranged as āsana, Ananta symbol suggested as endless serpent motif, warm lamp-lit pavilion","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, richly decorated vedi with gold borders, leaf-āsana rendered with textured green, priest in ritual posture installing Ananta, ornate vessels nearby, strong frontal composition","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional measurement scene: clear depiction of karadvaya length and aṣṭāṅgula height with subtle annotation, leaf seat placement steps, calm palette and precise linework","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, craftsmen and priest in a courtyard pavilion, measuring tools and hand-span gesture, leaf seat on a raised platform, delicate detailing and patterned textiles"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: करद्वयायामां = कर-द्वय-आयामाम्; वेदीमष्टाङ्गुलोच्छ्रितां = वेदीम् + अष्टाङ्गुलोच्छ्रिताम्; अष्टाङ्गुलोच्छ्रिताम् = अष्ट-अङ्गुल-उच्छ्रिताम्; श्रीपर्णाद्यासने = श्रीपर्ण-आदि-आसने.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 90 (altar/maṇḍapa construction details)
FAQs
It gives precise ritual specifications for making a vedī (altar platform)—its length (two hand-spans) and height (eight aṅgulas)—and instructs installing Ananta on a seat of sacred leaves such as śrīparṇa.
By preserving exact construction-measurements and procedural details for worship (platform dimensions, seating materials, and installation), it functions like a technical ritual handbook alongside the Purana’s many other disciplines.
Correctly preparing the altar and installing Ananta with focused devotion is presented as a means to ensure ritual purity, proper deity-invocation, and the accrual of religious merit through accurate observance.