Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 14
अध्याय ७३: सूर्यपूजाविधिः
Sūrya-pūjā-vidhi — The Procedure for Sun-Worship
दले पूर्वादिके ऽग्न्यादौ अं भौमं शं शनैश् चरं रं राहुं कें केतवे च गन्धाद्यैश् च खखोल्कया
dale pūrvādike 'gnyādau aṃ bhaumaṃ śaṃ śanaiś caraṃ raṃ rāhuṃ keṃ ketave ca gandhādyaiś ca khakholkayā
In dem im Osten befindlichen Blütenblatt und in den übrigen — beginnend mit dem Südosten (Agni‑Viertel) — soll man in Nyāsa die Bīja‑Silben setzen: „aṁ“ für Bhauma (Mars), „śaṁ“ für Śanaiścara (Saturn), „raṁ“ für Rāhu und „keṁ“ für Ketu; und man verehre sie mit Duftstoffen und den übrigen Opfergaben, zusammen mit der begleitenden Formel „khakholkā“.
Lord Agni (instructional narration to the sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s ritual manuals)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Jyotisha","secondary_vidya":"Vastu","practical_application":"Mandala-pūjā nyāsa: placing graha bījas into specific directional petals (dala) of a lotus maṇḍala, aligning planetary forces with dikpāla-oriented space; offering gandha and upacāras with an accompanying formula.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Directional Petal Nyāsa of Mars, Saturn, Rāhu, Ketu with Offerings and ‘Khakholkā’ Formula","lookup_keywords":["dala-nyāsa","bhauma aṁ","śanaiścara śaṁ","rāhu raṁ","ketu keṁ"],"quick_summary":"In a lotus maṇḍala, place the bījas for Mars, Saturn, Rāhu, and Ketu into specified directional petals (starting east and SE/Agni quarter sequence), then worship with fragrance and standard offerings, using the auxiliary formula ‘khakholkā’."}
Concept: Bandhu between cosmos and built/ritual space: planetary powers are ‘installed’ through ordered spatial nyāsa, making the maṇḍala a functional model of the universe.
Application: Design and execute graha-nyāsa in domestic/temple rites; useful for śānti, praveśa (auspicious entry), and remedial worship where spatial correctness is essential.
Khanda Section: Jyotisha & Vastu (Dikpala-nyasa / Graha-nyasa in Mandala-Puja)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A lotus maṇḍala with multiple petals labeled by directions; bīja syllables aṁ, śaṁ, raṁ, keṁ placed in designated petals; offerings of fragrance and flowers arranged around, with a small inscription ‘khakholkā’.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: large stylized lotus maṇḍala on the floor, petals painted with directional colors, bīja syllables in bold Malayalam-like decorative Sanskrit script, priest offering gandha; subtle graha symbols for Mars, Saturn, Rāhu, Ketu.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: ornate lotus yantra with gold-leaf outlines on petals, bīja syllables embossed, offering bowls of sandal paste and flowers; rich jewel tones and symmetrical composition.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: technical diagram aesthetic—compass directions, petal numbering, clear placement of aṁ/śaṁ/raṁ/keṁ, side notes for upacāras (gandha etc.) and the auxiliary formula ‘khakholkā’.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: top-down view of a ritual floor with a lotus diagram, attendants holding perfume and flowers, fine calligraphy of bījas in each petal, delicate borders and architectural interior."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shuddha Sarang","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ऽग्न्यादौ = अग्नि-आदौ (i + ā → yā); गन्धाद्यैश् = गन्धाद्यैः + च (visarga before ca).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 73 (graha-śānti, nyāsa, dik-krama, upacāra offerings)
FAQs
It gives a graha-nyāsa instruction: assign specific bīja-syllables to Mars, Saturn, Rāhu, and Ketu in the directional petals of a ritual lotus/mandala and worship them with standard offerings like fragrance.
It exemplifies the Agni Purana’s practical ritual technology—combining Jyotiṣa (planets), Vāstu-style directional mapping, and Tantric nyāsa/mantra deployment—alongside its many other subjects.
Correctly placing and worshipping the grahas in a mandala is traditionally held to harmonize planetary influences, remove obstacles, and support ritual purity and auspicious outcomes.