Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 9
Chapter 33 — पवित्रारोहणविधानं
The Procedure for Pavitrārohaṇa / Installing the Sacred Thread or Consecratory Amulet
तन्नो विष्णुः प्रचोदयात् देवदेवानुरूपतः जानूरुनाभिनामान्तं प्रतिमासु पवित्रकं
tanno viṣṇuḥ pracodayāt devadevānurūpataḥ jānūrunābhināmāntaṃ pratimāsu pavitrakaṃ
Nawa’y pagpalain at pasiglahin kami ni Viṣṇu—yaong kaayon ng Panginoon ng mga diyos. Sa mga imahen (pratimā), ang pavitraka (banal na sinulid/garland para sa pagtatalaga) ay dapat umabot mula sa mga tuhod, sa mga hita, sa pusod, hanggang sa dulo sa bahaging ‘pangalan’, ibig sabihin sa leeg o itaas na bahagi ng anyo.
Lord Agni (in dialogue, instructing the sage Vashistha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Shilpa","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Applying pavitraka placement rules on deity images and reciting the concluding Gāyatrī pāda ‘tanno viṣṇuḥ pracodayāt’ for consecratory blessing.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Pratimā-pavitraka-vinyāsa (extent from knees to upper name-region) with Viṣṇu-preraṇā mantra","lookup_keywords":["tanno viṣṇuḥ pracodayāt","pratimā","pavitraka","vinyāsa","jānu-ūru-nābhi"],"quick_summary":"For images, the pavitraka is arranged with a defined vertical extent (knees–thighs–navel up to the upper ‘name’/neck region), while invoking Viṣṇu’s प्रेरणा for proper consecration."}
Concept: Correct external arrangement (bāhya-vinyāsa) supports inner sanctity and the intended presence of the deity in worship.
Application: When adorning or consecrating images, follow prescribed placements to avoid ritual fault (doṣa) and to align worship with śāstric form.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Iconography and Mantra for Deity-Images)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A Viṣṇu image being adorned with a pavitraka thread/garland arranged from knees through thighs and navel up to the neck/upper region, while the priest recites ‘tanno viṣṇuḥ pracodayāt’.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, standing Viṣṇu pratimā with stylized ornaments, priest placing a white pavitraka thread in a vertical drape from knees to upper chest/neck, mantra band ‘tanno viṣṇuḥ pracodayāt’, warm lamp-lit shrine.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting with gold foil, richly ornamented Viṣṇu idol, pavitraka thread highlighted with gold accents, priest at side in reverence, ornate arch frame and jewel tones.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, precise instructional depiction of body landmarks (jānu, ūru, nābhi, kaṇṭha) on the pratimā, showing correct pavitraka extent, fine lines and gentle colors.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, temple interior with detailed sculpture, attendant-priest draping the pavitraka along the idol’s body landmarks, delicate textiles and architectural detail, calligraphic cartouche of the mantra."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Madhyamavati","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तन्नो = तत् + नः; देवदेवानुरूपतः = देवदेव + अनुरूपतः (तसिल्-तद्धित अव्यय); जानूरुनाभिनामान्तम् = जानु + ऊरु + नाभि + नाम + अन्तम् (समास/समाहार).
Related Themes: Agni Purana pratimā-lakṣaṇa and pūjā-upacāra passages; pavitraka/pāvitrya rules in Pūjā-vidhi khanda
FAQs
It specifies pavitraka-vidhi for Vishnu images—how the purifying sacred thread/festoon is to be arranged across defined iconographic body-points (knees, thighs, navel, up to the upper ‘name’ region).
Beyond theology, it preserves practical temple-ritual and iconography—standardizing how a murti is ornamented and ritually purified, a key part of Agni Purana’s wide-ranging manual-like content.
Correct placement of the pavitraka is treated as a purification and sanctification act in worship, believed to enhance the efficacy of the rite and the devotee’s merit through properly performed deity-service (seva).