Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 22
Adhivāsana-vidhi
Procedure for Preliminary Consecration in Vāstu–Pratiṣṭhā / Īśāna-kalpa
आत्मानं मूर्तिपैः सार्धं स्रग्वस्त्रकुसुमादिभिः भूषयित्वा शिवोस्मीति ध्यात्वा बोघासिमुद्धरेत्
ātmānaṃ mūrtipaiḥ sārdhaṃ sragvastrakusumādibhiḥ bhūṣayitvā śivosmīti dhyātvā boghāsimuddharet
เมื่อประดับตน—พร้อมด้วยเทพผู้ติดตามแห่งรูปทั้งหลาย—ด้วยพวงมาลัย เครื่องนุ่งห่ม ดอกไม้ และสิ่งอื่น แล้วภาวนาว่า “เราคือศิวะ” จากนั้นพึงชัก ‘โภคหาสิ’ คือดาบแห่งโพธิออกมา.
Lord Agni (in dialogue, instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Stotra","practical_application":"Internal Śiva-upāsanā culminating in śivoham-bhāvanā (identity contemplation) and visualization of a jñāna-asi (knowledge-sword) to cut ignorance and stabilize empowerment.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Śivoham-dhyāna and drawing the Bodha-asi (knowledge-sword)","lookup_keywords":["śivoham","dhyāna","bodha-asi","antar-pūjā","ābharaṇa"],"quick_summary":"Adorn the self and attendant deities in visualization, affirm identity with Śiva, then ‘draw’ the sword of awakening—symbolizing decisive insight that severs delusion."}
Alamkara Type: Lakṣaṇā/Arthāntaranyāsa (sword as knowledge)
Weapon Type: Sword (asi)
Concept: Śivoham-bhāvanā: non-dual identification with Śiva supported by symbolic action (bodha-asi) that represents cutting avidyā.
Application: Use the ‘bodha-asi’ visualization at the end of japa/dhyāna to reinforce clarity, resolve, and detachment from obscuring thoughts.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Shiva-upasana / mantra-sadhana and internal visualization)
Primary Rasa: vīra
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A meditator visualizes themselves as Śiva, richly adorned with garlands and flowers; attendant deities hover; a luminous sword of knowledge is drawn from an inner sheath, emitting light that cleaves a dark knot.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, Śiva-like yogin with ash marks and garlands, attendant mūrtis in small panels, glowing sword emerging, dark knot/serpent of ignorance split, bold flat colors.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, heavily ornamented Śiva-form with gold embossing, floral offerings, radiant sword with gold highlights, symmetrical attendants, temple arch frame.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore, refined facial features, detailed textiles and garlands, instructional clarity showing the sword as a beam of light, subtle background with lotus motifs.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, elegant figure seated on a carpet, attendants as small luminous forms, a jeweled yet ethereal sword drawn, darkness depicted as a smoky ribbon being cut."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Shivaranjani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: śivaḥ + asmi + iti → śivosmīti; bodha-asim + uddharet → bodhāsimuddharet (a + u → ā; sandhi).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 96 (Śiva-upāsanā steps; internal visualization sequence)
FAQs
It teaches a precise worship-sequence: ritual adornment (with garlands, cloth, flowers, etc.), identification-meditation (“I am Śiva”), and then the prescribed act of drawing/raising a named ritual sword (Boghāsi) used in the sādhana.
Alongside myth and theology, the Agni Purana preserves practical liturgical technology—step-by-step puja elements, inner visualization, and specialized ritual implements—showing it functions as a manual of applied religious practice.
The instruction centers on purification and empowerment through śiva-identity contemplation (aham-śiva-bhāva), integrating outer worship with inner realization so the practitioner performs the rite as an extension of Śiva-consciousness.