The Agni Purana
by N. Gangadharan | 1954 | 360,691 words | ISBN-10: 8120803590 | ISBN-13: 9788120803596
This page describes Mode of installation of the image of the sun-god (surya-pratishtha) which is chapter 99 of the English translation of the Agni Purana, one of the eighteen major puranas dealing with all topics concerning ancient Indian culture, tradition and sciences. Containing roughly 15,000 Sanskrit metrical verses, subjects contained in the Agni-Purana include cosmology, philosophy, architecture, iconography, economics, diplomacy, pilgrimage guides, ancient geography, gemology, ayurveda, etc.
Chapter 99 - Mode of installation of the image of the sun-god (sūrya-pratiṣṭhā)
[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]
The lord said:
1-2. I shall describe (the mode of) installation of the sun-god. The sacrificial shed (and other things) should be (made ready) as before. Then after having completed the rites of ablution etc., as prescribed before, and having located the sun-god with his attendants and (goddess) Vidyā in the seat and bed, (the preceptor) should locate the three (fundamental) principles (of soul, knowledge and bliss) and the five (principles of) sky etc. along with chants.
3. After having done the purification etc. as before and having purified the pedestal as before, (the preceptor should locate the five principles upto their own place.
4-5. After having established (the pedestal) then along with the (goddess of) energy (called) Sarvatomukhī as laid down, the preceptor should establish (the image of) the sun (god) as laid down with the (utterance of) its mantras as permeated with the energy or the master. The name should be borne upto the end of the foot. The mantras which have been described already should be seen at (the time of) establishment also.