Varaha Purana 182.21 — Adhyaya 182, Shloka 21
Installation of a Stone Image
Ritual Procedure for Consecration
तत एतेन मन्त्रेण प्रासादं संप्रवेशयेत् ॥ प्रतिमा स्थापितव्या मे मध्ये न तु विपार्श्वतः ॥
tata etena mantreṇa prāsādaṁ saṁpraveśayet || pratimā sthāpitavyā me madhye na tu vipārśvataḥ ||
แล้วพึงเข้าสู่ปราสาท (พระวิหาร) ด้วยมนต์นี้ พระปฏิมาของเราพึงประดิษฐานไว้ตรงกลาง มิใช่ด้านข้างใดๆ
Varāha (default, instructional voice)
Varaha Avatara Context: {"is_varaha_focus":true,"aspect_highlighted":"None","boar_form_detail":"None","earth_interaction":"None"}
Bhu Devi Dialogue: {"is_dialogue":false,"speaker_role":"instructor","bhu_devi_state":"None","key_question":"None"}
Mathura Mandala: {"is_mathura_related":false,"specific_site":"None","parikrama_context":"None","krishna_connection":"None"}
Dharma Shastra: {"has_dharma_rule":true,"topic":"None","instruction_summary":"Using the stated mantra, lead the rite into the prāsāda and install the Lord’s image in the center (madhya), not on either side.","karmic_consequence":"Central placement signifies proper hierarchy and stability of worship; incorrect placement is a doṣa in pratiṣṭhā, diminishing auspiciousness and intended results."}
Vrata Mahatmya: {"has_vrata":false,"vrata_name":"None","tithi_month":"None","promised_fruit":"None"}
Cosmic Boar Symbolism: {"has_symbolism":true,"symbolic_interpretation":"The ‘center’ encodes the Lord as axis (nābhi) of the sacred space—like the cosmic support on which Earth rests; spatial dharma mirrors metaphysical centrality of Īśvara.","yajna_varaha_imagery":"Madhya-sthāna parallels the altar’s core where Agni is established; the deity as Yajña’s heart is placed at the spatial ‘hṛdaya’ of the prāsāda.","vedantic_connection":"Īśvara as the inner center (hṛdaya-guha) of beings; external centering trains internal centering—placing the divine at the ‘middle’ of life and attention."}
Philosophical Teaching: {"has_teaching":true,"teaching_type":"sacred space as spiritual pedagogy","core_concept":"Right placement embodies right understanding: the Lord is not peripheral but central—spatial order supports inner order.","practical_application":"In worship and daily life, ‘center’ the divine: prioritize dharma and remembrance; avoid relegating devotion to the margins."}
Subject Matter: ["Ritual Procedure","Temple Architecture","Heritage Sites"]
Primary Rasa: śānta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
Type: temple sanctum (architectural center)
Related Themes: Varāha Purāṇa 182.22-23 (installation and mantra)
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Inside the sanctum, the image is positioned precisely at the centerline; attendants measure and align while the priest guides entry with mantra.","item_prompts":["garbhagṛha interior","central pedestal (pīṭha)","measuring cord/line","priest gesturing placement","attendants holding the image","symmetrical lamps","doorway behind aligned to center"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: symmetrical sanctum composition, central pīṭha and aligned lamps; priests in ritual posture; emphasis on geometry and centeredness.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: richly ornamented sanctum with gold-leaf on pedestal and lamps; perfectly centered deity-image; strong axial symmetry.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: architectural precision, soft lighting from lamps; careful placement gesture; calm, orderly scene.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari: compact sanctum with clear central axis; delicate figures aligning the image; gentle lamp-glow and balanced composition."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"directive and steady","suggested_raga":"Hamsadhwani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"firm, clear, procedural"}
FAQs
It preserves a prescriptive ritual-architectural norm—installing the icon centrally—useful for studying Purāṇic temple practice and the textual history of image-worship procedures.
No specific place-name appears in this verse; it addresses general temple entry and icon placement.
Procedural discipline: the rite is to be performed in an orderly manner, emphasizing correct placement and method rather than personal preference.
Ask anything about this verse
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