Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 3
Chapter 53 — Liṅga-lakṣaṇa
Characteristics and Proportions of the Śiva-liṅga and Piṇḍikā
ब्रह्मविष्णुशिवांशेषु वर्धमानोयमुच्यते चतुरस्रेस्य वर्णार्धं गुह्यकोणेषु लाञ्छयेत्
brahmaviṣṇuśivāṃśeṣu vardhamānoyamucyate caturasresya varṇārdhaṃ guhyakoṇeṣu lāñchayet
Dies heißt „Vardhamāna“, wenn es auf die Anteile (aṃśa) von Brahmā, Viṣṇu und Śiva angewandt wird. In einem Quadrat (Diagramm) soll die Hälfte der Silben/Buchstaben in den verborgenen Ecken (guhya-koṇa) markiert werden.
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s instructional discourse)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Constructing and inscribing a Vardhamāna-type yantra/maṇḍala associated with Brahmā-Viṣṇu-Śiva portions, including letter-placement rules (varṇārdha) in concealed corners for ritual sealing (lākṣaṇa/nyāsa).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Vardhamāna-yantra: tri-deva aṃśa application and corner-letter marking","lookup_keywords":["Vardhamāna","yantra","Brahmā-Viṣṇu-Śiva","varṇārdha","guhya-koṇa"],"quick_summary":"A square diagram becomes ‘Vardhamāna’ when mapped to the tri-deva portions; inscribe half the set of letters/syllables into the hidden corners as a ritual marking protocol."}
Concept: Mantra-śarīra: divinity is installed/activated through varṇa (letters) placed in spatial loci (corners), integrating sound and form.
Application: During yantra drawing or altar marking, place the prescribed letter-set in the corners as protective sealing and deity-identification before offerings and japa.
Khanda Section: Yantra-Mantra & Puja-vidhi (Esoteric ritual diagrams and deity-marking procedures)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: śānta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A square yantra on a ritual board; corners emphasized as ‘guhya-koṇa’; letters/syllables being inscribed in corner compartments; tri-deva emblems subtly indicated in three portions.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, ritualist drawing a square yantra with red/black inks, corner compartments glowing, subtle icons of Brahmā-Viṣṇu-Śiva around the square, lamp-lit sanctum ambience","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, yantra board with gold-highlighted corner cells, priest inscribing akṣaras, tri-deva shown as small framed deities above, rich ornament and gold work","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clean geometric yantra with clearly legible corner akṣaras, instructional clarity, minimal background, fine gold lines marking the square and corner divisions","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, atelier-like ritual scene with calligraphic precision, square diagram on paper/board, scribe-priest writing akṣaras in corners, detailed textiles and objects"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Pūrvi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: vardhamānoyamucyate → vardhamānaḥ ayam ucyate; caturasresya → caturasrasya.
Related Themes: Agni Purāṇa: yantra/maṇḍala and mantra-nyāsa discussions in ritual chapters (elsewhere); Agni Purāṇa ch. 53: geometric expansions in v. 53.4 that can serve as yantra refinements
FAQs
It teaches a yantra/nyāsa procedure: in a square (caturasra) diagram, a specific arrangement called ‘Vardhamāna’ is employed, and half the mantra-letters are to be inscribed in the concealed corners.
Beyond narrative mythology, it preserves practical ritual-technology—how to construct and annotate geometric ritual diagrams (yantras) and distribute mantra-letters—showing the Agni Purana’s coverage of liturgy, esoteric practice, and technical sacred geometry.
Correct placement of letters and deity-aspects is treated as essential for ritual efficacy (siddhi) and purity of worship; the ‘hidden-corner’ marking implies guarded, potent deployment of mantra-power rather than casual inscription.