Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 8
Adhivāsana-vidhi
Procedure for Preliminary Consecration in Vāstu–Pratiṣṭhā / Īśāna-kalpa
वज्रं शक्तिं तथा दण्डं खड्गं पाशं ध्वजंगदां त्रिशूलं चक्रमम्भोजम्पताकास्वर्चयेत् क्रमात्
vajraṃ śaktiṃ tathā daṇḍaṃ khaḍgaṃ pāśaṃ dhvajaṃgadāṃ triśūlaṃ cakramambhojampatākāsvarcayet kramāt
พึงบูชาตามลำดับบนปฏากา/ธง คือ วัชระ ศักติ (หอก) ทัณฑะ (ไม้เท้า) ขัฏคะ (ดาบ) ปาศะ (บ่วง) ธวัชะ (ธง) คทา ตรีศูล จักระ และอัมโภชะ (ดอกบัว).
Lord Agni (in discourse to sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purana narration frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","practical_application":"Sequential worship of divine weapons/implements (āyudha-pūjā) placed on standards/banners as protective and empowering ritual supports.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Āyudha-Pūjā Sequence: Vajra to Lotus on Patākā","lookup_keywords":["vajra","śakti","khaḍga","triśūla","cakra"],"quick_summary":"Worship a fixed sequence of weapons/insignia—thunderbolt through lotus—installing them on banners/standards as ritual supports for protection and success."}
Weapon Type: Vajra, Śakti (spear), Daṇḍa (staff), Khaḍga (sword), Pāśa (noose), Dhvaja (banner), Gadā (mace), Triśūla (trident), Cakra (discus)
Concept: External implements become sacred supports (upakaraṇa-devatā) when ritually honored; order (krama) is itself a discipline.
Application: Perform āyudha-pūjā before protective rites, processions, or major undertakings; keep a consistent sequence and clean, elevated placement.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Iconography and ritual worship of deities/implements)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A row of banners each bearing a sacred weapon emblem—vajra, spear, staff, sword, noose, banner, mace, trident, discus, lotus—being worshipped with flowers and incense in sequence.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, horizontal frieze of patākā-stands with stylized weapon emblems, priest offering lamps, strong outlines, rhythmic repetition, deep reds and greens.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, each weapon emblem rendered with gold embossing on tall standards, ornate altar, rich crimson background, sparkling highlights on vajra and cakra.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional sequence chart with numbered standards and neatly painted weapons, priest performing ārati, soft shading and precise detailing.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, ceremonial courtyard with standards planted, attendants holding banners, priest offering flowers, meticulous metalwork depiction of weapons, fine borders."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Hamsadhwani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ध्वजंगदां → ध्वजम् + गदाम्; चक्रमम्भोजम् → चक्रम् + अम्भोजम्; पताकास्वर्चयेत् → पताकासु + अर्चयेत्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 96 (rakṣā and dvārapāla context; āyudha worship)
FAQs
It teaches the ayudha-puja (worship of sacred weapons/emblems) and the required sequential order (krama) for offering reverence to specific implements—vajra, śakti, daṇḍa, khaḍga, pāśa, dhvaja, gadā, triśūla, cakra, and lotus—arranged on standards/banners.
Beyond mythology, the Agni Purana preserves practical liturgical procedure: how to arrange and worship ritual symbols (weapons, emblems, banners) in a prescribed order, reflecting its broad coverage of temple practice, iconography, and ritual technology.
Ayudha-puja sanctifies instruments of power and protection, aligning them with dharma; performing the worship in proper sequence is traditionally held to increase ritual efficacy, remove obstacles, and confer protective merit (rakṣā) through disciplined, rule-based devotion.