Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 49
Adhivāsana-vidhi
Procedure for Preliminary Consecration in Vāstu–Pratiṣṭhā / Īśāna-kalpa
सम्पूज्य सितपुष्पैश् च नयेदुत्तरवेदिकां तत्र दत्तासनायाञ्च शय्यायां सन्निवेश्य च
sampūjya sitapuṣpaiś ca nayeduttaravedikāṃ tatra dattāsanāyāñca śayyāyāṃ sanniveśya ca
เมื่อบูชาด้วยดอกไม้สีขาวโดยครบถ้วนแล้ว พึงอัญเชิญไปยังเวทิกาทิศเหนือ ที่นั่นเมื่อถวายอาสนะแล้ว พึงประดิษฐานบนแท่นบรรทม (ศัยยา) ด้วย
Lord Agni (in instruction to the sage Vasiṣṭha, Agni Purana’s primary dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vrata","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"After worship with white flowers, ceremonially lead the deity/installed presence to the northern altar (uttara-vedikā), offer an āsana, and place it upon a prepared couch (śayyā) as part of the installation’s hospitality sequence.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"White-flower worship and seating on Uttara-vedikā with āsana and śayyā","lookup_keywords":["sitapuṣpa","uttaravedikā","āsana","śayyā","devatā-sthāpana"],"quick_summary":"Honor the deity with white flowers, then conduct it to the northern altar and complete the upacāra of offering a seat and couch—ritual hospitality within pratiṣṭhā."}
Concept: Upacāra as relational theology: the divine is welcomed like an honored guest through ordered acts (flowers, seat, couch).
Application: Design pūjā sequences with clear stations and offerings; treat transitions (leading, seating) as integral, not incidental.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Ritual Worship Procedures / Devata-sthapana)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: shringara
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A deity-image freshly worshipped with white flowers is ceremonially carried/led to a northern altar; a seat is offered and a decorated couch is prepared for ritual repose.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, procession to the north altar with white flower garlands, priest offering āsana, ornate śayyā with traditional patterns, temple interior with directional symbolism","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, deity adorned with white flowers, gold-leaf emphasis on altar and couch ornaments, priest presenting āsana, rich symmetrical temple setting","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear depiction of uttara-vedikā placement, sequence of offering seat then couch, delicate colors and precise architectural lines","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly hospitality motif transposed to temple: attendants carrying white flowers, deity led to a raised northern platform, finely detailed couch textiles and canopy"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: sitapuṣpaiś = sita-puṣpaiḥ; nayeduttaravedikāṃ = nayet + uttara-vedikām; dattāsanāyāñca = datta-āsanāyām + ca; sanniveśya = sam-ni-viś (ktvā-arthī gerund).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 96 (pūjā-upacāra and pratiṣṭhā movement between stations)
FAQs
It teaches an upacāra-sequence in pūjā: honoring with white flowers, conducting the worshipped presence to the northern altar (uttaravedikā), then offering āsana (seat) and arranging śayyā (a prepared couch/resting place) as part of formal reception and ritual installation.
Alongside theology, the Agni Purana preserves practical liturgical protocol—minute details of movement, placement, and offerings (flowers, seat, couch, altar-direction)—showing it functions as a manual of temple/household ritual procedure in addition to narrative and doctrine.
Correctly honoring the worshipped presence with prescribed upacāras (flowers, seat, respectful placement) is treated as a meritorious act that cultivates śuddhi (ritual purity), bhakti (devotion), and proper satkāra (reverent hospitality), thereby increasing the efficacy of the rite.