There are elaborate procedures laid down for Prana Prathista in Agama Sastras.There are, broadly speaking two types,
Saiva Agamas
Sree Vaishnava Agamas.
Each of these Agamas have different concepts and procedures for each Deity. Each of the Agamas have different types.
Sree Vaishnava Agama has two prominent types.
Paancharatra and
Vaikanasa.
It is reliably learnt that both Saiva and Vaishnava Agamas have been followed in the Prana Prathista of Sree Ayodhya Mandhir.
Following are the steps in Agama system followed in Ayodhya Mandhir.
1. Karmakutir.
2. Jalãdhivãs.
3.. Dhãnyãdhivãs.
4.Ghrutãdhivãs.
5.Snapan.
6.Netra-anãvaran.
7.Shodshopchar Puja.
8.Prãna Pratishtha Rites.
Karmakutir.
After a murti is sculpted, it must be purified in the artisan’s workplace where the murti was made; this first step is known as Karmakutir. The artisan touches the entire murti with darbha grass. Darbha grass is a long, stalky species of grass that is considered to have purifying properties by Hindus. This first step removes any evil influences from the murti. The artisan then closes the murti’s eyes by smearing a thin layer of ghee and honey over the eyes, after which the artisan or a brahmin pundit perform 200 ahutis (oblations) or homas (any ritual in which making offerings into a consecrated fire is the primary action) while chanting mantras. A nada-chhadi is tied to the right wrist of the murti before it leaves the artisan’s workshop.
Jalãdhivãs
The murti is then transported to the yagna mandap where the yagna is to be performed. Here, the murti is submerged in jal (water). The purpose of submerging the murti in water is to check whether the murti is totally whole and not khandit (damaged in any way). A small amount of panchamrut is added into the vessel containing the murti along with other puja dravyas (auspicious substances used to perform puja). The vessel is then covered with a cloth, and the mantras of Agni are chanted for further purification. The cloth is then removed, and the murti is awakened by sounding a ghantadi (bell). The murti is removed from the vessel and wiped dry.
Dhãnyãdhivãs
A layer of dhãnya (grains or pulses) is spread on the floor, and the murti is laid supine on the layer of dhãnya. The murti is then completely covered with more dhãnya, usually rice or wheat grain. This is done to further purify the murti.
Ghrutãdhivãs
Next, the murti is submerged in cow’s ghee (ghrut), as cow’s ghee is considered to be pure. However, this step is altered on many occasions because a stone or marble murti covered with ghee is highly prone to slipping, resulting in possible damage to the murti. Instead, a piece of cotton wool soaked in ghee is placed on the big toe of the foot of the murti. The murti is again awakened and then placed on a wooden stand.
Snapan
Snapan, or abhishek, is the ritual of bathing a murti with a liquid such as milk or water. This rite is the principal form of purification involving 108 different types of materials, such as panchamrut, water containing the essence of various fragrant flowers and leaves, water which has been poured over the horns of a cow, and sugar cane juice. One dravya is placed in each pot. 108 pots are placed in front of the murti in three vedhis (groups): the dakshin (south) group has eleven pots; the madhya (middle) group has eleven pots; and the remaining pots are in the uttar (north) group.
Abhishek of the murti is then performed with the contents of each pot. Each dravya has its own special mantra that is recited as abhishek is being performed with that particular pot. Such an extensive assortment of pure substances renders the murti’s immense shakti (power) and purity.
Netra-anãvaran
The artisan who sculpted the murti stands behind the murti and holds a mirror in front of the murti’s face. By looking at the murti’s eyes indirectly, reflected through the mirror, he removes the layer of ghee and honey (from the previous Karmakutir stage of purification) with a gold shalãkã (needle); this is known as the Netra-anãvaran rite. The reason for using the mirror is because once the murti’s eyes are opened, it’s first immensely powerful drashti (vision) should not fall on a human being. Instead, the murti is offered food already arranged in front of it prior to the Netra-anãvaran ritual.
Shodshopchar Puja
After wiping the murti dry, it is laid on a new mattress with food and a pot of water for one night’s rest. For sleep, the Nidrã Devi, Goddess of Sleep, is invoked with ãhawãn mantras. All through the night, ten brahmin pundits continually perform 200 homas in the yagna, away from the sleeping murti. While the pundits offer ãhuti of ghee in the eight directions (ashtãdikshu), one drop of ghee is placed in a pot of water. In the morning, water from this pot is sprinkled on the sleeping murti to awaken it while chanting uttishtha mantras.
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The murti is then taken from the yagna mandap to the garbha gruh (inner sanctum) of the mandir where it is placed on the pindika (pedestal). While chanting mangalashtak (mantras of auspiciousness), a mason cements the murti to the pindika. After the cement has dried, brahmin pundits (or the Satpurush) enter the garbha gruh to perform the actual murti prãna pratishtha.
Prãna Pratishtha Rites.
Now that the murti has been purified, it is ready to become the home of the Divine. It should be noted that the prãna pratishtha cannot be performed by just anyone. The Vaihãyasi Samhita (9/28-84, 90) of the Panchratra Agam Shastras states that, “One in whose every organ Paramatma resides fully, that pure Mahapurush is eligible to perform prãna pratishtha, because it is only he who can invoke Paramatma within his heart into the murti.” Today in the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, Pramukh Swami Maharaj is such a Mahapurush (Satpurush).
Nyãsvidhi is the first step in the prãna pratishtha. ‘Nyãs’ means touching. Nyãsvidhi invokes various deities, such as Brahmã, Indra, Surya, and others, in different parts of the murti. Chanting Paramatma’s bij mantra, and with the wave of the darbha grass and shalãkã (golden needle), the rite begins from the head of the murti down to its feet. The Satpurush places his hands a few inches from the murti while pundits chant bij mantras invoking Paramatma. The divine shakti (power) of Paramatma emanates from the Satpurush and enters the murti. First the prãna (life breath) enters the murti, followed by the jiva (soul). Lastly, the ten indriyas (senses) are infused into the murti.
Procedure abstract from
The religious rituals will begin from Jan 16 and will continue till Jan 21. On Jan 22, ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony .
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General Secretary of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Champat Rai on Monday announced that the idol of lord Ram will be placed at its position at the ‘Garbh Griha’ of the temple on January 18 and Pran Pratishtha will take place at 12.20 pm on January 22. Addressing a press conference, Rai said that the muhurat (auspicious timing) was decided by Ganeshwar Shastri Dravid of Varanasi.
“The religious rituals will begin from Jan 16 and will continue till Jan 21. On Jan 22, ‘Pran Prathista’ ceremony will take place. The idol for which ‘Pran Pratishtha’ will be done is expected to be around 150-200kgs. On 18th January, the idol will be placed at its position in the Garbha Gruha of the temple,” he added.
General Secretary of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust said that the Pran Prathishtha’ is expected to conclude by 1 pm on January 22.
Preparations are underway in full swing for the event, which is expected to be attended by thousands of dignitaries and people from all sections of society.
Details of Prana Pratishtha and Related Events:
Event Date and Venue: The auspicious Prana Pratishtha yoga of the Deity of Bhagwan Ram Lalla arrives on the approaching Paush Shukla Kurma Dwadashi, Vikram Samvat 2080, i.e., Monday, the 22nd of January 2024.
Scriptural Protocols and Pre-Ceremony Rituals: Following all the Shastriya protocols, the programme of Prana Pratistha will be held in the Abhijeet Muhurta in the afternoon. The formal procedures of pre-Prana Pratistha sacraments will start from tomorrow, i.e., 16th January and continue till 21st January 2024. The Dwadash Adhivas protocols will be as follows:
a. 16 January: Prayaschita and Karmakuti Poojan
b. 17 January: Parisar Pravesh of the Murti
c. 18 January (Evening): Teerth Poojan, Jal Yatra, and Gandhadhivas
d. 19 January (Morning): Aushadhadhivas, Kesaradhivas, Ghritadhivas
e. 19 January (Evening): Dhanyadhivas
f. 20 January (Morning): Sharkaradhivas,Phaladhivas
g. 20 January (Evening): Pushpadhivas
h. 21 January (Morning): Madhyadhivas
i. 21 January (Evening): Shaiyadhivas
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