Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 42
Pratiṣṭhā-sāmagrī-vidhāna — Prescription of Materials and Conditions for Consecration
वर्धनीं शिवकुम्भञ्च लोकपालघटानपि एकं निद्राकृते कुम्भं शान्त्यर्थं कुण्डसङ्ख्यया
vardhanīṃ śivakumbhañca lokapālaghaṭānapi ekaṃ nidrākṛte kumbhaṃ śāntyarthaṃ kuṇḍasaṅkhyayā
พึงตั้งภาชนะวรรธนี ศิวกุมภะ และหม้อของโลกบาลทั้งหลายด้วย; เพิ่มกุมภะหนึ่งใบสำหรับพิธีชักนำให้หลับ และเพื่อความสงบสันติให้วางกุมภะตามจำนวนกุณฑะ (หลุมไฟ)
Lord Agni (in instruction to sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Ritual vessel (kumbha) deployment for kalasha-sthāpana and śānti-karman: assigning specific kumbhas (vardhanī, Śiva-kumbha, lokapāla-ghaṭas) and matching counts to kuṇḍas for pacification rites.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Kalasha-sthāpana: vardhanī, Śiva-kumbha, lokapāla-ghaṭas; nidrā-kumbha and śānti count","lookup_keywords":["kalasha-sthāpana","vardhanī","śiva-kumbha","lokapāla-ghaṭa","śānti-karman"],"quick_summary":"Specifies which ritual jars to set up and how many: include vardhanī and Śiva-kumbha, jars for the guardians of directions, one jar for nidrā-rite, and for śānti place kumbhas equal to the number of fire-pits."}
Concept: Order and correspondence (saṃkhyā-sāmya) in ritual: kumbha-count mirrors kuṇḍa-count; devatā-wise allocation of vessels.
Application: When designing a śānti-homa venue, plan kumbha inventory and placement by kuṇḍa number and by devatā assignment (Śiva, lokapālas, nidrā).
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Kalasha-sthapana and Shanti-karman / ritual vessels and pacificatory rites)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritual hall with multiple fire-pits (kuṇḍas) and an equal number of consecrated kumbhas; special jars labeled vardhanī, Śiva-kumbha, and lokapāla jars arranged by directions; one separate nidrā-kumbha.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, top-down mandala-like layout around kuṇḍas, directional lokapāla jars at cardinal points, Śiva-kumbha prominent with trident motif, ritual priests in stylized form, deep greens/ochres.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central Śiva-kumbha with gold embellishment, surrounding lokapāla jars with directional emblems, glowing homa fires, ornate borders.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional schematic of kumbha placement by directions and kuṇḍa count, fine labels, clean composition, soft colors.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, interior pavilion with multiple small fire altars, rows of decorated jars, attendants placing garlands, precise architectural perspective."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"ritualistic","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: शिवकुम्भञ्च = शिवकुम्भम् + च. लोकपालघटानपि = लोकपालघटान् + अपि. निद्राकृते is avyayībhāva (purpose).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 95 (kalasha, śānti, kuṇḍa-linked arrangements)
FAQs
It specifies the required ritual pots (vardhanī, Śiva-kumbha, Lokapāla-ghaṭas) and prescribes that pacificatory kumbhas be arranged in a number equal to the ritual fire-pits (kuṇḍas), with an additional kumbha for a nidrā (sleep-inducing) rite.
It preserves a highly technical checklist-style instruction for ritual logistics—showing the Agni Purāṇa’s coverage of practical liturgy (kumbha/ghata installation, dikpāla worship, and śānti procedures) alongside its many other disciplines.
Correctly installing the prescribed kumbhas and honoring directional guardians is treated as a means to remove obstacles and secure śānti—ritual pacification, protection, and harmonious outcomes for the sacrificer and the rite.