Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 3
Pratiṣṭhā-sāmagrī-vidhāna — Prescription of Materials and Conditions for Consecration
शुक्लपक्षे विशेषेण कृष्णे वा पञ्चमन्दिनं चतुर्थीं नवमीं षष्ठीं वर्जयित्वा चतुर्दशीं
śuklapakṣe viśeṣeṇa kṛṣṇe vā pañcamandinaṃ caturthīṃ navamīṃ ṣaṣṭhīṃ varjayitvā caturdaśīṃ
โดยเฉพาะในปักษ์สว่าง—และในปักษ์มืดด้วย—พึงประกอบพิธีในวันจันทรคติที่ห้า (ปัญจมี) และพึงเว้นวันจันทรคติที่สี่ ที่เก้า ที่หก และที่สิบสี่
Lord Agni (in discourse to sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Jyotisha","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Tithi selection for pratiṣṭhā/vrata-like rite: prefer pañcamī (especially in śukla-pakṣa, optionally kṛṣṇa-pakṣa) and avoid caturthī, ṣaṣṭhī, navamī, and caturdaśī.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Tithi-nirṇaya for Pratiṣṭhā: Preferred and Forbidden Tithis","lookup_keywords":["tithi-nirnaya","pañcamī","śukla-pakṣa","tithi-varjana","pratiṣṭhā"],"quick_summary":"For installation timing, pañcamī is recommended (notably in the bright fortnight), while 4th, 6th, 9th, and 14th tithis are to be avoided to prevent ritual doṣa."}
Concept: Kāla-śuddhi (purity of time) is a necessary condition for saṃskāra success; avoidance rules are as important as prescriptions.
Application: When fixing consecration dates, shortlist pañcamī first; cross-check and exclude the listed tithis even if other factors look favorable.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Vrata & Tithi-nirnaya)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A pañcāṅga page highlighting pañcamī in bright ink, with caturthī/ṣaṣṭhī/navamī/caturdaśī crossed out; priests marking the chosen date for installation.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, close-up of palm-leaf calendar with marked tithis, priests in traditional attire indicating pañcamī, temple lamp glow, restrained palette","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, decorative calendar motif with gold accents around pañcamī, priestly figures selecting date, auspicious symbols (śrīvatsa, kalasha)","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional chart of lunar fortnight with highlighted pañcamī and excluded tithis, neat composition, soft colors and fine outlines","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, scribe and priest annotating a manuscript calendar, small marginal symbols for tithis, refined interior setting with ritual objects"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bilahari","pace":"fast","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पञ्चमन्दिनं = पञ्चमम् + दिनम् (म् + द → न्द)
Related Themes: Agni Purana ch.95 muhūrta rules (tithi/vara/nakṣatra) in surrounding verses
FAQs
It gives tithi-selection guidance for a religious observance: prefer Pañcamī (especially in Śukla-pakṣa) and avoid Caturthī, Ṣaṣṭhī, Navamī, and Caturdaśī.
By encoding practical ritual calendrics (tithi-nirṇaya) alongside other disciplines, it shows the text functioning as a manual for day-to-day dharmic practice, not only mythic narration.
Correct timing is presented as essential for maximizing the merit (puṇya) of a vow/rite and avoiding inauspicious tithis that could diminish or obstruct the intended spiritual result.