Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 46
Adhivāsana-vidhi
Procedure for Preliminary Consecration in Vāstu–Pratiṣṭhā / Īśāna-kalpa
भद्रपीठे निधायेशं ताडयित्वावगुण्ठयेत् स्नापयेत् पूजयित्वा तु मृदा काषायवारिणा
bhadrapīṭhe nidhāyeśaṃ tāḍayitvāvaguṇṭhayet snāpayet pūjayitvā tu mṛdā kāṣāyavāriṇā
เมื่อประดิษฐานองค์พระเป็นเจ้าบนภัทรปีฐแล้ว พึงทำการแตะ/เคาะตามพิธีและคลุมไว้ ต่อจากนั้นเมื่อบูชาแล้ว พึงสรงด้วยดินชำระและน้ำกษายะ (น้ำต้มฝาด)
Lord Agni (instructing sage Vasiṣṭha in ritual procedure)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Shilpa","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"In deity installation/bathing, place the image on a bhadra-pīṭha, perform ritual tapping (tāḍana) and veiling (avagūṇṭhana), then bathe using cleansing clay and astringent decoction-water after pūjā.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Bhadra-pīṭha placement, avagūṇṭhana, and snāna with mṛdā & kaṣāya-water","lookup_keywords":["bhadrapīṭha","tāḍana","avagūṇṭhana","mṛdā","kaṣāya"],"quick_summary":"Set the deity-image on an auspicious pedestal, ritually activate/protect it by tapping and veiling, then bathe it using purifying clay and astringent decoction-water as part of consecration."}
Concept: Śauca and rakṣā (purification and protection) precede upacāra (offerings) in devatā-sevā.
Application: Do not adorn before cleansing; protect the sanctum-object (covering/veiling) while transitioning between ritual operations.
Khanda Section: Pūjā-vidhi (Deity installation, purification, and bathing rites)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A deity-image placed on an auspicious pedestal; a priest gently taps it ritually, then covers it with a cloth; after worship, attendants prepare clay and a decoction vessel for bathing the image.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, central deity on bhadra-pīṭha, priest performing tāḍana with ritual gesture, avagūṇṭhana cloth draped, bowls of clay and kaṣāya water shown, rich temple interior motifs","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, deity on ornate pedestal with gold embellishment, priest veiling the image with a shimmering cloth, vessels of clay and herbal decoction highlighted with gold work","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clean instructional depiction: pedestal, sequence of tapping then veiling, then bathing implements (clay bowl, decoction pot), delicate pastel palette","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed workshop-temple setting, attendants holding cloth and vessels, priest mid-gesture of veiling, intricate textiles and architectural arches"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shuddha Saveri","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: nidhāyeśaṃ = nidhāya + īśam; tāḍayitvāvaguṇṭhayet = tāḍayitvā + avaguṇṭhayet; kāṣāyavāriṇā = kāṣāya-vāriṇā.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 96 (pūjā-vidhi and snāna-krama)
FAQs
It teaches a specific pūjā-sequence: placing the deity on a bhadrapīṭha, performing a ritual tap (tāḍana), veiling (avaguṇṭhana), and then snāna using cleansing clay and astringent decoction-water.
It preserves detailed temple-operational know-how—precise handling of the deity-image, purification media (mṛd and kāṣāya), and ordered actions—showing the Purāṇa’s practical ritual manuals alongside theology.
The sequence emphasizes ritual purity and reverent concealment during sanctifying acts; such regulated snāna and pūjā are traditionally held to remove impurity (aśauca/mala) and accrue merit through proper worship (vidhipūrvaka-sevā).