Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 73
Adhivāsana-vidhi
Procedure for Preliminary Consecration in Vāstu–Pratiṣṭhā / Īśāna-kalpa
देवं ब्रह्मरथेनैव क्षिप्रं द्रव्याणि तन्नयेत् मण्डपे पश्चिमद्वारे शय्यायां विनिवेशयेत्
devaṃ brahmarathenaiva kṣipraṃ dravyāṇi tannayet maṇḍape paścimadvāre śayyāyāṃ viniveśayet
พึงอัญเชิญเทพโดยพรหมรถอย่างรวดเร็วพร้อมเครื่องสักการะทั้งหลาย แล้วในมณฑป ณ ประตูทิศตะวันตก พึงประดิษฐานพระองค์บนแท่นบรรทม (ศัยยา)
Lord Agni (in dialogue, instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Deity transfer and placement protocol in consecration: move the deity with the brahma-ratha along with ritual articles; place at the western doorway of the maṇḍapa on a śayyā (couch) for transitional rites.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Brahma-ratha Deva-nayana and Maṇḍapa Paścima-dvāra Śayyā-sthāpana","lookup_keywords":["brahma-ratha","maṇḍapa","paścima-dvāra","śayyā","deva-nayana"],"quick_summary":"Transport the deity swiftly in the brahma-chariot with all ritual requisites, then place the deity on a prepared couch at the western doorway of the maṇḍapa as part of installation logistics."}
Concept: Sacred space is operationalized through directionality (dik) and prescribed stations; orderly movement of the deity mirrors cosmic order in microcosm.
Application: In temple events, plan processional route, staging area, and implement placement; ensure the maṇḍapa’s west doorway has a clean, elevated śayyā and space for attendants and offerings.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Deva-pratiṣṭhā / Maṇḍapa-vidhāna)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: Temple/Maṇḍapa
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A consecration procession: the deity is carried on a decorated brahma-chariot with ritual vessels; inside the maṇḍapa, the icon is placed on a couch near the western doorway.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, temple courtyard procession with ornate ratha, priests carrying kalaśa and pūjā trays, maṇḍapa with clearly marked western doorway, deity placed on a śayyā, bold flat colors and lamp-lit ambience","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, richly decorated chariot with gold accents, deity icon on palanquin/ratha, maṇḍapa interior with gold-embellished couch, vibrant reds, greens, and gold leaf detailing","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, architectural clarity of maṇḍapa and west door, labeled staging: ratha arrival, placement on śayyā, attendants with ritual articles, precise linework","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, bustling yet orderly procession with chariot, musicians and priests, detailed temple pavilion, icon set on a couch at the west entrance, intricate textiles and perspective"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Bilahari","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ब्रह्मरथेनैव = ब्रह्म-रथेन + एव; तन्नयेत् = तत् + नयेत्; पश्चिमद्वारे = पश्चिम-द्वारे
Related Themes: Agni Purana 96 (maṇḍapa-vidhāna, pratiṣṭhā logistics)
FAQs
It gives a precise procedural step in deva-pratiṣṭhā/maṇḍapa-vidhi: transport the deity with consecrated conveyance along with ritual materials, then place the deity on a prepared śayyā (ritual couch) near the western entrance of the maṇḍapa.
It exemplifies the text’s practical, manual-like coverage of temple and installation rituals—down to logistics (procession/transport) and spatial directives (where in the maṇḍapa to place the deity), integrating liturgy with architectural-directional discipline.
Correct conveyance and placement of the deity according to prescribed ritual order is treated as safeguarding purity (śuddhi) and efficacy (siddhi) of the installation rite, thereby supporting merit (puṇya) and the successful invocation of divine presence.