Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 32
Chapter 93 — वास्तुपूजादिविधानम्
Procedure for Vāstu-worship and Related Rites
ईशाद्याः पादिकास्तस्मिन्नागद्याश् च द्विकोष्ठगाः षट्पदस्था मरीच्याद्या ब्रह्मा नवपदः स्मृतः
īśādyāḥ pādikāstasminnāgadyāś ca dvikoṣṭhagāḥ ṣaṭpadasthā marīcyādyā brahmā navapadaḥ smṛtaḥ
في ذلك الـڤاستو-مَندَلا (Vāstu-maṇḍala) يشغل إيشا (Īśa) ومن معه مربّعًا واحدًا لكلٍّ منهم؛ ويشغل ناغا (Nāga) ومن معه خانتين؛ ويشغل مريچي (Marīci) ومن معه ستّ خانات؛ ويُذكر أن برهما (Brahmā) يشغل تسع خانات.
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha, as per the Agni Purāṇa’s usual dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Deity-allocation rules within the vāstu-maṇḍala: determining which deities occupy 1, 2, 6, or 9 squares for correct placement and avoidance of vāstu-doṣa.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Vāstu-maṇḍala pada-allocation: Īśa (1), Nāga (2), Marīci (6), Brahmā (9)","lookup_keywords":["vāstu maṇḍala devatā padas","Īśa pādika","Nāga dvikoṣṭha","Marīci ṣaṭpada","Brahmā navapada"],"quick_summary":"In the vāstu grid, some deities occupy single squares, some two, some six, while Brahmā occupies nine—guiding correct deity-placement and spatial hierarchy in planning."}
Concept: Sacred geometry as applied knowledge: proportional allocation embodies cosmic hierarchy within habitable space.
Application: Use these occupancy rules when drawing the vāstu grid to decide central and peripheral zones and their ritual/functional constraints.
Khanda Section: Vastu-Shastra / Mandala-Vinyasa (architectural grid and deity-placement)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: Vāstu-maṇḍala (architectural cosmogram)
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A vāstu-maṇḍala diagram shows deities occupying different numbers of squares: Īśa in a single square, Nāga spanning two, Marīci spanning six, and Brahmā occupying a central nine-square block.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, bold 9x9 grid with central 3x3 highlighted for Brahmā, peripheral squares marked with Īśa and Nāga symbols, sage Marīci spanning six squares, flat colors and strong outlines.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-highlighted central Brahmā 3x3, ornate deity emblems in assigned squares, decorative borders, rich reds and greens, symmetrical sacred geometry.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, crisp diagrammatic grid with color-coded occupancy counts (1/2/6/9), small deity icons and labels, instructional clarity, delicate shading.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, scholars around a drawn grid on paper, central nine squares illuminated for Brahmā, marginal notes for Īśa/Nāga/Marīci, fine linework and muted palette."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":null,"pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पादिकास्तस्मिन् = पादिकाः + तस्मिन्; तस्मिन्नागद्याः = तस्मिन् + आगद्याः; षट्पदस्था = षट्-पद-स्थाः; मरीच्याद्या = मरीचि-आद्याः.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 93 (vāstu-maṇḍala, pada-vinyāsa, devatā-sthāna)
FAQs
It gives a Vāstu-śāstra rule for assigning deities to the architectural grid (maṇḍala) by specifying how many squares (padas/koṣṭhas) each deity-group is allotted.
Beyond mythology, it preserves applied technical standards of temple/house planning—quantifying deity-allocation in the Vāstu grid—showing the Purāṇa’s coverage of practical sciences like architecture and ritual layout.
Correct placement of deities in the Vāstu-maṇḍala is treated as ensuring harmony and auspiciousness in construction, supporting ritual efficacy and reducing doṣa (inauspicious imbalance) in the built space.