Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 12
वागीश्वरीपूजा
The Worship of Vāgīśvarī
दलसन्धिर्गजकुम्भ निभान्तर्यद्दलाग्रकम् पञ्चमे व्योमरूपन्तु संसक्तं कमलं स्मृतं
dalasandhirgajakumbha nibhāntaryaddalāgrakam pañcame vyomarūpantu saṃsaktaṃ kamalaṃ smṛtaṃ
ذلك اللوتس الذي تكون مواضع التقاء بتلاته شبيهةً بانتفاخي صدغي الفيل (gaja-kumbha)، وتكون أطراف البتلات منجذبةً إلى الداخل؛ ففي النوع الخامس يُقال إنه “ذو هيئة السماء” (vyoma-rūpa)، ويُعرَف اللوتس باسم “سَمْسَكْتَ” (saṃsakta: متراصّ شديد الالتحام).
Lord Agni (in dialogue with Vasiṣṭha, the default narrative frame of the Agni Purāṇa)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Identifying and drafting a specific lotus typology (saṃsakta/vyoma-rūpa) used in temple diagrams, pedestals, ceilings, and yantra-lotus variants.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Saṃsakta (compact) lotus of Vyoma-rūpa type","lookup_keywords":["saṃsakta kamala","vyoma-rūpa","dala-sandhi","gaja-kumbha","petal tips inward"],"quick_summary":"Defines a compact lotus type: petal-junctions resemble elephant temples and petal tips turn inward; the fifth variety is termed ‘sky-formed’ (vyoma-rūpa) and classified as saṃsakta."}
Alamkara Type: Upamā
Concept: Sacred form is standardized through named types (bheda) and recognizable markers (upamā-based lakṣaṇa).
Application: Choose the correct lotus type for a given ritual/architectural context and reproduce its defining features consistently.
Khanda Section: Vāstu-Śāstra / Yantra-Śilpa (Temple iconometry and lotus/mandala typology)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A compact lotus diagram with thick, bulging petal junctions like elephant temples and petal tips curling inward; labeled as vyoma-rūpa/saṃsakta.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, bold outlines of a compact lotus motif on a temple ceiling panel, petal junctions rounded like gaja-kumbha, tips drawn inward, warm ochres and reds, sacred geometry feel.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, ornate lotus medallion with gold relief at petal junctions, inward-curving tips, ‘vyoma-rūpa’ suggested by a sky-blue field behind the lotus, rich decorative border.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore, clean instructional plate showing saṃsakta lotus: stepwise drawing of junction bulges and inward tips, fine brushwork, muted pastels.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, artisan presenting a folio with the saṃsakta lotus, precise curves and inward tips, courtly workshop setting, delicate shading and patterned margins."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: dalasandhir = dala-sandhiḥ; nibhāntaryat = nibha + antaryat (sandhi); vyomarūpantu = vyoma-rūpam + tu.
Related Themes: Agni Purāṇa 319 lotus/maṇḍala typology sequence (types 1–5)
FAQs
It defines a specific padma/lotus (mandala) type used in Vāstu-Śāstra and yantra/temple design—identified by elephant-temple-like petal junctions and inward-turned petal tips, termed vyoma-rūpa and saṃsakta.
Beyond mythology, it preserves technical taxonomy for architectural/diagrammatic motifs (padma-bheda), showing the Agni Purāṇa’s coverage of applied arts like Vāstu, śilpa, and ritual geometry.
Correctly specifying sacred geometric forms (padma/mandala) supports accurate altar/temple and ritual layouts, which traditional texts treat as essential for purity, efficacy of worship, and auspicious outcomes.