Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 64
Agnisthāpana-vidhi (Procedure for Establishing the Sacred Fire) and Protective Īśāna-kalpa Homa Sequences
वारुण्यां क्षेत्रपालाय अन्तर्बलिरुदाहृतः द्वितीये मण्डले वाह्ये इन्द्यायाग्नियमाय च
vāruṇyāṃ kṣetrapālāya antarbalirudāhṛtaḥ dvitīye maṇḍale vāhye indyāyāgniyamāya ca
In der Varuṇa-Quarter wird die innere Gabe (antar-bali) dem Feldhüter (Kṣetrapāla) vorgeschrieben. Im zweiten Maṇḍala, dem äußeren Kreis, sind Opfergaben an Indra, an Agni und auch an Yama darzubringen.
Lord Agni (narrating Agni Purana’s ritual procedure, traditionally to Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Puja-vidhi","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Specifies inner vs outer maṇḍala recipients: Kṣetrapāla receives antar-bali in Varuṇa quarter; outer circle offerings go to Indra, Agni, and Yama—useful for temple/household boundary protection and completion of dik-devatā honors.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Kṣetrapāla Antarbali and Outer Maṇḍala Offerings (Indra–Agni–Yama)","lookup_keywords":["kṣetrapāla","antarbali","vāhya-maṇḍala","indra","yama"],"quick_summary":"Offer inner bali to Kṣetrapāla in the Varuṇa quarter, then in the outer maṇḍala offer to Indra, Agni, and Yama—establishing protection and directional completeness of the rite."}
Concept: Sacred work requires guardianship and proper honoring of the site’s protector; dharmic ritual includes care for place (deśa) and boundary (maryādā).
Application: Before/after worship, especially in new spaces or temples, offer to Kṣetrapāla to avert kṣetra-doṣa and ensure unobstructed worship and community safety.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Bali-vidhana / Mandala-devata offerings)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhaya
Type: Sacred-direction (dik) and ritual precinct
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Two maṇḍalas around the ritual area: inner circle offering to Kṣetrapāla in the west (Varuṇa quarter), and outer circle offerings to Indra, Agni, and Yama placed at their respective quarters.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: guardian Kṣetrapāla at the western edge of the mandala, fierce yet protective; priest placing inner bali; outer ring shows Indra, Agni, Yama as stylized directional deities; bold outlines, temple-floor geometry emphasized.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: Kṣetrapāla rendered with ornate jewelry and gold halo at the west; concentric mandalas with gold borders; small deity panels for Indra, Agni, Yama on the outer ring; rich gold relief work.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: didactic layout with two circles labeled inner/outer; west marked for Kṣetrapāla; outer placements for Indra/Agni/Yama; soft colors, precise linework, instructional clarity.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: architectural courtyard with concentric ritual circles; guardian figure at west receiving offering; attendants place offerings at outer points for Indra, Agni, Yama; fine detailing of vessels and textiles."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kedar","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: अन्तर्बलिरुदाहृतः → अन्तर्बलिः + उदाहृतः (विसर्गसन्धि); इन्द्यायाग्नियमाय च → इन्द्राय + अग्नियमाय + च (द्र→द्य लेखनभेद; ‘इन्द्याय’ = ‘इन्द्राय’); अग्नियमाय is treated as द्वन्द्व (अग्नि+यम) in dative singular.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 75 (maṇḍala and bali distribution)
FAQs
It specifies bali-placement by direction and by mandala-layer: an inner bali to Kṣetrapāla in the Varuṇa (western) quarter, and offerings in the second (outer) mandala to Indra, Agni, and Yama.
It functions like a compact ritual manual, cataloging spatial ritual rules (directional quarters, inner/outer mandalas) and the corresponding deities—showing the Agni Purana’s practical coverage of temple/mandala liturgy alongside its many other disciplines.
Correctly offering bali to the site-guardian and to the mandala deities is intended to secure protection of the ritual space, remove obstacles (vighna-śānti), and align the rite with cosmic order through proper directional worship.