Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 5
Agnisthāpana-vidhi (Procedure for Establishing the Sacred Fire) and Protective Īśāna-kalpa Homa Sequences
रेखात्रयमुदक् कुर्यादेकां पूर्वाननामधः कुशेन च शिवास्त्रेण यद्वा तासां विपर्ययः
rekhātrayamudak kuryādekāṃ pūrvānanāmadhaḥ kuśena ca śivāstreṇa yadvā tāsāṃ viparyayaḥ
ينبغي أن يُرسَمَت ثلاثُ خطوطٍ بالماء؛ ويُوضَعُ أحدُها في الأسفل متوجِّهًا إلى الشرق. ويُفعل ذلك بعشب الكوشا وباستعمال «شِيفا-أسترا» (سلاح/تعويذة شِيفا)، أو يجوز قلبُ ترتيب تلك الخطوط.
Lord Agni (instructing sage Vasiṣṭha in ritual procedure)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Ritual protection and boundary-marking (raksha/rekha) for a puja or homa space using water-lines empowered by mantra-astra.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Rekhā-traya (Three Protective Water-Lines) with Śivāstra","lookup_keywords":["rekhātraya","udaka-rekhā","kuśa","śivāstra","rakṣā-vidhi"],"quick_summary":"Mark three protective lines with water using kuśa, empowering them with the Śiva-astra; orient one line below facing east, with an allowed reversal of order as an alternative."}
Weapon Type: Astra (mantric missile)
Concept: Ritual space is sacralized through ordered boundaries empowered by mantra-astra.
Application: Before worship/homa, establish a protected perimeter to prevent ritual obstacles (vighna) and maintain śuddhi.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Ritual procedure; protective lines and mantra-astric rites)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritualist draws three water-lines on the ground with a kuśa tip, orienting one line to the east, while mentally deploying the Śiva-astra as a protective force around the altar space.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, priest in white dhoti drawing three sacred water-lines with kuśa on a ritual floor, subtle fiery aura of Śiva-astra encircling the maṇḍala, earthy reds and ochres, stylized lotus borders.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central altar space with three shimmering water-lines, priest holding kuśa, gold-leaf halo suggesting Śiva-astra protection, ornate floral frame, rich jewel tones.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional composition showing three parallel/ordered lines and east-direction marker, priest’s hand with kuśa, clean diagrammatic clarity with soft pastel shading.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed courtyard ritual scene, fine brushwork showing water-lines on ground, kuśa in hand, calligraphic hint of mantra, subdued palette with precise geometry."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: कुर्यादेकाम् = कुर्यात् + एकाम्; पूर्वाननामधः = पूर्वाननाम् + अधः; यद्वा = यत्/यद् + वा (निपातसमासवत्); उदक् दिशावाचक-विशेषणरूपेण।
Related Themes: Agni Purana Puja-vidhi sections on rakṣā, nyāsa, mudrā, and astras (same khanda context)
FAQs
It teaches rekhā-bandhana: drawing three protective lines using water and kuśa, empowered through the Śiva-astra (a mantra-weapon) with an east-facing orientation, with an allowed alternate (reversed) arrangement.
Beyond myth, it preserves operational ritual micro-protocols—directionality, materials (water, kuśa), and mantra-astra empowerment—showing the text’s compendium-like coverage of practical worship and protection rites.
Such marked lines function as a consecrated protective boundary; performed with correct material and mantra, it is understood to remove obstacles, purify the ritual space, and safeguard the practitioner’s rite from disruptive influences.