Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 94
Adhivāsana-vidhi
Procedure for Preliminary Consecration in Vāstu–Pratiṣṭhā / Īśāna-kalpa
पिण्डिकाञ्च कृतस्नानां विलिप्ताञ्चन्दनादिभिः सद्वस्त्रैश् च समाच्छाद्य रन्ध्रे च भगलक्षणे
piṇḍikāñca kṛtasnānāṃ viliptāñcandanādibhiḥ sadvastraiś ca samācchādya randhre ca bhagalakṣaṇe
เมื่อชำระล้างปิณฑิกาให้ถูกต้องแล้ว พึงทาด้วยจันทน์และสิ่งหอมอื่น ๆ คลุมด้วยผ้าสะอาด และวางไว้ ณ ช่องเปิด (รันธระ) ที่มีเครื่องหมายเป็น ‘ภค-ลักษณะ’.
Lord Agni (narrating Agni Purana’s ritual procedure, traditionally to Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Guidance for preta-saṃskāra/antyeṣṭi-associated handling of piṇḍa/piṇḍikā: purification (snāna), anointing, covering, and placement at a specified ritual aperture/marker (bhaga-lakṣaṇa) according to rite.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Piṇḍikā preparation and placement in preta-saṃskāra","lookup_keywords":["antyeṣṭi","preta-saṃskāra","piṇḍikā","candana","bhaga-lakṣaṇa"],"quick_summary":"The verse prescribes preparing the piṇḍikā by bathing, anointing with sandalwood, covering with clean cloth, and placing it at the ritually designated opening marked as bhaga-lakṣaṇa, as part of funerary/post-death observance."}
Concept: Saṃskāra-dharma: purity, propriety, and correct placement/actions in rites for the departed.
Application: Maintain śauca (cleanliness) and procedural exactness in preta rites; use clean cloth and sanctioned unguents, and follow the specified placement markers of the ritual setting.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Antyeṣṭi / Preta-saṃskāra: funerary and post-death rites)
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritual setting where a prepared piṇḍikā is bathed, anointed with sandal paste, wrapped in clean cloth, and carefully placed at a designated opening marked by a symbolic bhaga sign, under solemn supervision.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, subdued palette, ritualist preparing a piṇḍikā with sandal paste, white cloth covering, a clearly marked ritual aperture with symbolic sign, oil lamp glow, solemn attendants","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, formal ritual tableau with gold accents on vessels and cloth borders, piṇḍikā wrapped and placed at a marked spot, emphasis on auspicious materials (candana, clean vastra) despite funerary context","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional clarity: stepwise depiction—snāna, candana application, vastra covering, final placement at marked opening; clean lines and labeled elements","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed domestic/ritual courtyard scene, attendants with water vessel and sandal paste, wrapped piṇḍikā placed at a marked niche/opening, muted tones conveying solemnity"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पिण्डिकाञ्च → पिण्डिकाम् च; विलिप्ताञ्चन्दनादिभिः → विलिप्ताम् चन्दनादिभिः; सद्वस्त्रैश् च → सद्वस्त्रैः च.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 96 (antyeṣṭi/preta-vidhi section continuation)
FAQs
It gives a precise handling method for the piṇḍikā/piṇḍa offering in preta/śrāddha rites—wash it, anoint with fragrant substances like sandalwood, cover with clean cloth, and place it at a ritually designated aperture/sign (bhaga-lakṣaṇa).
Beyond mythology, it preserves step-by-step procedural ritual technology (saṃskāra/śrāddha praxis), functioning like a compact manual for funerary and post-death observances within a broader compendium of disciplines.
Correctly preparing and placing the offering is treated as a purity-sensitive act that supports the departed’s transition and satisfies ritual obligations, thereby accruing merit (puṇya) and reducing ritual fault (doṣa).