Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 10
Worship by Limb-Syllables
Aṅgākṣara-arcana
यत्र केशरकिञ्जल्कव्यापिसूर्येन्दुदाहिनां मण्डलन्त्रितयन्तावद् भेदैस्तत्र न्यसेत् क्रमात्
yatra keśarakiñjalkavyāpisūryendudāhināṃ maṇḍalantritayantāvad bhedaistatra nyaset kramāt
وحيث تنتشر خيوط اللوتس وغباره، فهناك تُوضَع على الترتيب أقسام الماندالا، ممتدةً إلى حدّ ثلاث دوائر: دائرة الشمس، ودائرة القمر، ودائرة داهيني (Dāhinī) ذات الطبيعة النارية.
Lord Agni (teaching Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Vastu","practical_application":"Mandala-lakṣaṇa for yantra/lotus: placing divisions (bheda) in sequence across the lotus’ filament/pollen region, extending to a triad of circles associated with Sun, Moon, and a fiery Dāhinī—guiding ritual geometry and visualization.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Mandala Triad: Sūrya–Candra–Dāhinī Circles within the Lotus Field","lookup_keywords":["mandala-lakshana","padma-kesara","kinjalka","surya-candra","dahini"],"quick_summary":"In the lotus area where filaments and pollen spread, lay out the mandala’s divisions in order, culminating in three concentric/related circles—Sun, Moon, and the fiery Dāhinī—forming the diagrammatic field for nyāsa and worship."}
Concept: Cosmic correspondences are encoded as geometry: solar, lunar, and fiery principles become spatial circles within the lotus-mandala, enabling contemplative access through form.
Application: When drawing/visualizing the yantra, treat the lotus’ keśara/kiñjalka zone as the ‘field’ for sequential bheda placement; keep the Sun–Moon–Fire triad distinct to preserve the mandala’s functional symbolism.
Khanda Section: Tantra & Yantra-vidhi (Mandala-lakshana / Diagrammatic ritual geometry)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A lotus-yantra seen from above: filaments and pollen region detailed, with sequentially placed mandala divisions leading outward/inward to three prominent circles labeled Sun, Moon, and fiery Dāhinī, glowing with distinct hues.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, bold lotus mandala top-view, thick petal shapes, inner keśara/kiñjalka rendered as textured ring, three circles (Sun gold-red, Moon silver-white, Dāhinī flame-orange) with sacred glow, minimal temple backdrop.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, highly ornamental yantra-lotus with gold leaf for Sun circle, silver-toned highlights for Moon, raised flame motifs for Dāhinī, rich border and gem-like accents, devotional geometry as centerpiece.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, precise geometric diagram plate: lotus with labeled zones (keśara/kiñjalka), stepwise bheda divisions, three circles clearly differentiated by color and line weight, clean instructional clarity.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, delicate top-down mandala on parchment, fine line geometry, subtle washes for Sun/Moon/Fire circles, marginal notes like a workshop diagram, refined palette and symmetry."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Malkauns","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: केशरकिञ्जल्कव्यापिसूर्येन्दुदाहिनाम् = केशर-किञ्जल्क-व्यापि-सूर्येन्दु-दाहिनाम् (बहुपद-समासः); सूर्येन्दु = सूर्य-इन्दु; मण्डलन्त्रितयन्तावद् = मण्डल-त्रितय-तावत् (न्-आगम/संयोगलेखः); भेदैस्तत्र = भेदैः तत्र.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 302.9; Agni Purana 302.6
FAQs
It teaches the nyāsa (ordered placement) of mandala-divisions, defining the extent of the layout up to a threefold set of circles associated with the Sun, Moon, and a fiery ‘Dāhinī’ circle/power.
Beyond myth and devotion, it preserves technical ritual-geometry—how to construct and segment mandalas used in worship and consecratory rites—showing the text’s coverage of applied sacred sciences (tantra/yantra, pūjā-vidhi, and spatial design).
Correct, sequential mandala-construction is treated as a condition for ritual efficacy—supporting purity, proper invocation, and the stable placement of invoked powers within the consecrated diagram.