Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 17
Worship of Gaurī and Others (Gauryādi-pūjā) — Mantra, Maṇḍala, Mudrā, Homa, and Mṛtyuñjaya Kalaśa-Rite
द्वारत्रयं त्रयं दिक्षु अथ वा भद्रके यजेत् स्थण्डिले वाथ संस्याप्य पञ्चगव्यामृतादिना
dvāratrayaṃ trayaṃ dikṣu atha vā bhadrake yajet sthaṇḍile vātha saṃsyāpya pañcagavyāmṛtādinā
ينبغي ترتيبُ ثلاثةِ أبوابٍ—ثلاثةٌ في الجهات؛ أو يُقامُ العبادةُ في مخطّط «بهدراكا» (Bhadraka). أو بعد تثبيت (المعبود/المذبح) على مِذبحٍ ترابيّ مُعَدّ (sthaṇḍila)، يُجرى عليه التطهيرُ والتقديسُ بـ pañcagavya، و amṛta، ونحوِ ذلك.
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha, as per the typical Agni Purana narrative frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Puja-vidhi","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Setting up a worship space using three gateways aligned to directions or using a Bhadraka diagram; consecrating the altar/deity on a sthaṇḍila with pañcagavya and amṛta mixtures for purification and sanctification.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Directional gateways, Bhadraka worship, and sthaṇḍila consecration with pañcagavya/amṛta","lookup_keywords":["dvāra-traya","Bhadraka","sthaṇḍila","pañcagavya","amṛta"],"quick_summary":"Outlines alternative ritual setups (three directional gateways or Bhadraka diagram) and prescribes consecration on an earthen altar using pañcagavya and amṛta-like sanctifiers."}
Concept: Sacred action requires a properly delimited and purified space; directionality and śuddhi substances support ritual legitimacy.
Application: Before pūjā/pratiṣṭhā, choose an approved layout (dvāra-traya or Bhadraka) and perform śuddhi on the sthaṇḍila with pañcagavya/amṛta preparations.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Ritual worship procedures; Mandala/Altar and consecration practices)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritual ground is prepared with an earthen altar (sthaṇḍila), three gateways aligned to directions, or a Bhadraka diagram; the priest sprinkles pañcagavya and amṛta to consecrate the setup.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, top-down ritual courtyard with three ornate gateways, Bhadraka diagram option shown as a secondary panel, priest sprinkling pañcagavya from a vessel onto the sthaṇḍila, lamps and kalasha, earthy tones.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, consecration scene with gold-highlighted gateways and altar, priest holding a kalasha, droplets rendered as stylized pearls, Bhadraka diagram glowing, rich ornamentation.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clear schematic of dvāra-traya in directions and Bhadraka diagram, priest performing prokṣaṇa on sthaṇḍila, labels for pañcagavya and amṛta, instructional composition.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtyard with geometric floor diagram (Bhadraka), three decorated entrances, priest and assistants with bowls of pañcagavya, fine architectural perspective and border illumination."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Madhyamavati","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: वाथ = वा + अथ। संस्याप्य (पाठे) → संस्थाप्य (सम्+स्थाप्) इति ग्रहणम्। पञ्चगव्यामृतादिना = पञ्चगव्य + अमृत + आदिना।
Related Themes: Agni Purana 325 (pūjā-vidhi: maṇḍala, sthāpanā, śuddhi materials)
FAQs
It teaches a procedural option in worship: arrange directional gateways (dvāra-traya), or worship via a Bhadraka mandala, or install the deity on a sthaṇḍila and consecrate using pañcagavya and related sanctifiers.
It preserves practical, implementable ritual engineering—directional layout, mandala-based worship, altar installation, and purification substances—showing the text’s coverage of temple/household liturgy alongside many other sciences.
Directional order, proper installation, and purification with pañcagavya/amṛta are presented as means to make worship ritually valid and spiritually efficacious, removing impurity and ensuring the rite yields merit (puṇya).