Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 16
Chapter 246 — वास्तुलक्षणम्
Characteristics of Building-sites / Vāstu
शिलेष्टकादिविन्यासं मन्त्रैः प्रार्च्य सुरांश् चरेत् नन्दे नन्दय वासिष्ठे वसुभिः प्रजया सह
śileṣṭakādivinyāsaṃ mantraiḥ prārcya surāṃś caret nande nandaya vāsiṣṭhe vasubhiḥ prajayā saha
শিলেষ্ঠক প্রভৃতি বিন্যাস সম্পন্ন করে, মন্ত্র দ্বারা প্রথমে দেবতাদের অর্চনা করে পরে পূজা-ক্রমে অগ্রসর হবে। নন্দা-ক্রিয়ায়, হে বাসিষ্ঠ, ‘নন্দয়’ মন্ত্র উচ্চারণ করবে—বসুগণের সহিত এবং প্রজাসম্পদের জন্য।
Lord Agni (in instruction to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Puja-vidhi","practical_application":"Ritual nyāsa/vinyāsa sequence for installing placements (śileṣṭaka etc.), mantra-pūjā, then devatā-arcana aimed at prosperity/offspring through the Nandā rite with Vasu-invocation.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Śileṣṭakādi-vinyāsa and Nandā-invocation with the Vasus (for prajā)","lookup_keywords":["śileṣṭaka-vinyāsa","nyāsa","Nandā-mantra","Vasu-pūjā","prajā-siddhi"],"quick_summary":"Perform the prescribed ritual placements beginning with śileṣṭaka, worship with mantras first, then proceed to devatā-arcana; in the Nandā rite, invoke ‘Nandaya’ together with the Vasus for progeny/prosperity."}
Concept: Kriyā-krama (correct ritual sequence) and saṅkalpa toward prajā/śrī through devatā-sambandha.
Application: Use ordered nyāsa → mantra-arcana → devatā-pūjā as a template for household/temple rites where specific phala (offspring, prosperity) is sought.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Mantra-kalpa (Ritual worship procedures and mantra-nyasa)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: Sacred grove
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritual altar with marked placements (vinyāsa) beginning at a designated śileṣṭaka point; the practitioner performs mantra-arcana and then offers worship to a group of deities identified as the Vasus, with an intention for progeny.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, priest performing nyāsa on a yantra-like ground diagram, eight Vasus as radiant attendants, Nandā-devī invoked, warm ochres and deep greens, stylized lotus borders, sacred grove backdrop.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central Nandā-devī with halo and gold leaf, eight Vasus in symmetrical arrangement, ritual platform with vinyāsa markings, rich reds and greens, heavy ornamentation, lamps and flowers.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional clarity: ground-plan vinyāsa diagram, priest in profile doing mantra-arcana, labeled placements, subdued palette with fine linework, minimal background.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly ritual scene with detailed carpet-like altar diagram, small figures of Vasus, calligraphic mantra scroll, delicate flora suggesting Nandana grove, fine brushwork and pastel tones."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shree","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सुरांश् चरेत् → सुरान् चरेत् (न् + च); शिलेष्टकादिविन्यासं → शिलेष्टक-आदि-विन्यासम् (समास/विग्रह).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 246 (Pūjā-vidhi / Mantra-kalpa context)
FAQs
It teaches a puja-sequence: first establish the ritual placements (vinyāsa/nyāsa) beginning with śileṣṭaka and related items, then perform preliminary mantra-worship, and only then proceed to worship the deities, including invocation connected with ‘Nandā’ and the Vasus for progeny/prosperity.
It exemplifies the text’s procedural, manual-like coverage of ritual technology—stepwise worship order, mantra-usage, deity-group invocation (Vasus), and specific rite-names (Nandā)—showing the Agni Purana as a compendium of practical religious disciplines.
Correct vinyāsa and mantra-first worship are presented as ensuring ritual efficacy and auspicious results—especially wellbeing, prosperity, and the attainment of progeny—through properly ordered divine invocation.