Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 3
Chapter 94 — शिलाविन्यासविधानम्
The Procedure for Laying the Foundation Stones
दत्वा भूतबलिं लग्ने शिलान्यासमनुक्रमात् मध्यसूत्रे न्यसेच्छक्तिं कुम्भञ्चानन्तमुत्तमं
datvā bhūtabaliṃ lagne śilānyāsamanukramāt madhyasūtre nyasecchaktiṃ kumbhañcānantamuttamaṃ
เมื่อถวายภูตพลีในยามมงคลแล้ว พึงทำศิลานยาสะ (การวางศิลาฤกษ์) ตามลำดับ บนเส้นเชือกกลาง (มัธยะสูตระ) พึงประดิษฐานศักติ พร้อมทั้งกุมภะอันประเสริฐและอนันตะด้วย
Lord Agni (in instruction to the sage Vasiṣṭha, as per the common Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Temple foundation rite sequence: bhūta-bali, śilānyāsa, and placement of Śakti-kalasha/Ananta on the central axis for stability and auspiciousness.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Śilānyāsa with Bhūta-bali, Madhya-sūtra Śakti and Ananta","lookup_keywords":["bhūta-bali","śilānyāsa","madhya-sūtra","kumbha-sthāpana","Ananta"],"quick_summary":"Begin foundation-laying after offering bhūta-bali at an auspicious lagna; establish the central axis (madhya-sūtra) and place Śakti, the auspicious kumbha, and Ananta to anchor the rite and the structure."}
Concept: Ritual order (krama) and axis-centering (madhya) as the means to invite and stabilize divine power in built space.
Application: Follow sequential rites and central-axis alignment to ensure sanctity and structural/ritual stability.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Vastu-vidhi (Temple foundation and installation rites)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A temple foundation pit with a central cord-line stretched; priests offering bhūta-bali; a ritual kumbha placed on the axis with symbols of Śakti; Ananta represented as a serpent-support motif near the kumbha.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, warm earth pigments, priests in white mundu performing bhūta-bali beside a foundation pit, central cord-line clearly shown, a decorated kumbha with mango leaves and coconut, stylized Ananta serpent motif coiled near the axis, sacred geometry subtle in background.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-leaf highlights on the kumbha and Śakti emblem, richly ornamented ritual vessels, Ananta serpent rendered with embossed gold, temple foundation scene with symmetrical axis line, devotional yet architectural composition.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, clean linework emphasizing the madhya-sūtra cord and measured layout, priests placing Śakti and kumbha at the center, labeled ritual implements, muted pastel palette with precise instructional clarity.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed construction site with measured cords, attendants holding ritual items, bhūta-bali offering in foreground, ornate kumbha at center, Ananta depicted as a refined serpent emblem, fine architectural draft-like borders."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: भूतबलिं = भूत-बलिम्; शिलान्यासम्; मध्यसूत्रे; न्यसेच्छक्तिं = न्यसेत् शक्तिम्; कुम्भञ्चानन्तमुत्तमं = कुम्भम् च अनन्तम् उत्तमम्
Related Themes: Agni Purana 94 (Vāstu/Pūjā-vidhi sequence: bhūta-bali, śilānyāsa, kumbha-sthāpana, nyāsa)
FAQs
It teaches the ordered procedure of śilānyāsa: first appeasing elemental forces with bhūta-bali at an astrologically auspicious time, then placing key consecrated items—Śakti, kumbha, and Ananta—on the madhyasūtra (central alignment line).
It preserves specialized temple-building and consecration protocol (Vāstu/Pratiṣṭhā), integrating electional timing (lagna/Jyotiṣa), spatial geometry (madhyasūtra), and ritual installations (kumbha, Ananta), showing the Purāṇa’s coverage beyond mythology into applied sacred architecture.
By offering bhūta-bali and installing stabilizing, auspicious emblems at the temple’s centerline, the rite is meant to remove obstacles, harmonize the site’s subtle forces, and establish a firm, sanctified foundation that supports merit (puṇya) and ritual efficacy.