Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 1
Chapter 93 — वास्तुपूजादिविधानम्
Procedure for Vāstu-worship and Related Rites
इत्य् आदिमहापुराणे आग्नेये शिलान्यासकथनं नाम द्विनवतितमो ऽध्यायः अथ त्रिनवतितमो ऽध्यायः वास्तुपूजादिविधानम् ईश्वर उवाच ततः प्रासादमासूत्र्य वर्तयेद्वास्तुमण्डपं कुर्यात् कोष्ठचतुःषष्टिं क्षेत्रे वेदास्रके समे
ity ādimahāpurāṇe āgneye śilānyāsakathanaṃ nāma dvinavatitamo 'dhyāyaḥ atha trinavatitamo 'dhyāyaḥ vāstupūjādividhānam īśvara uvāca tataḥ prāsādamāsūtrya vartayedvāstumaṇḍapaṃ kuryāt koṣṭhacatuḥṣaṣṭiṃ kṣetre vedāsrake same
So endet im Agni-Purāṇa das zweiundneunzigste Kapitel mit dem Titel „Darlegung der Grundsteinlegung“. Nun beginnt das dreiundneunzigste Kapitel: „Vorschrift für die Vāstu-Verehrung und verwandte Riten“. Der Herr sprach: Danach, nachdem man den Plan des Prāsāda (Tempels) entworfen hat, soll man die Vāstu-maṇḍapa, das Grundriss-Maṇḍala, anlegen; auf einem ebenen Platz in der Form eines „Veda-asra“ sind vierundsechzig Felder (Quadrate) zu schaffen.
Īśvara (the Lord, i.e., Agni Purāṇa’s authoritative narrator in this section)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Temple/site planning: draw the Vāstu-maṇḍapa/maṇḍala on a level, properly shaped plot and divide it into 64 squares as the basis for placement of deities, walls, and functional zones.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"64-Pada Vāstu-maṇḍala on a Veda-asra Level Site","lookup_keywords":["vāstu-maṇḍala","64-pada","prāsāda-vidhi","veda-asra","site-planning"],"quick_summary":"After laying out the temple plan, establish the Vāstu ground-diagram on a level, properly shaped site and divide it into sixty-four compartments to guide architectural and ritual placements."}
Concept: Cosmic order is mirrored through measured space: the mandala grid becomes a ritual-architectural map aligning built form with divine order.
Application: Use the 64-pada grid as the base layer before assigning zones (brahmasthāna, dikpāla sectors) and before wall/door placements.
Khanda Section: Vāstu-Śāstra & Prāsāda-Vidhi (Temple Architecture and Ritual Procedures)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A level plot marked as a vedi-like polygon; architects/priests stretch cords and mark a 64-square grid for the Vāstu-maṇḍala, with the temple plan sketched around it.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: priests and sthapati drawing a 64-square mandala with white lines on ochre ground, vedi-shaped boundary, temple outline faintly behind, stylized tools and cords.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: sacred geometry grid rendered with gold accents, sthapati holding measuring cord, temple plan in background, rich ornamented frame, emphasis on symmetry.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: technical scene—clear 8x8 grid, labeled squares, measuring rods and cords, calm instructional composition, fine detailing of instruments.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: surveyors on a leveled site drawing an 8x8 grid, detailed costumes and tools, architectural plan scroll, precise linework and perspective hints."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ity = iti; dvinavatitamo 'dhyāyaḥ: aḥ + a→' (avagraha); trinavatitamo 'dhyāyaḥ similarly; prāsādamāsūtrya = prāsādam + āsūtrya; vartayedvāstumaṇḍapaṃ = vartayet + vāstumaṇḍapam (t→d sandhi).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 92 (Śilānyāsa preceding); Agni Purana 93 (Vāstu-pūjā details continue in subsequent verses)
FAQs
It teaches the preliminary Vāstu-śāstra step for temple-building: drawing the prāsāda plan and establishing a Vāstu-maṇḍala divided into 64 squares on a level, properly shaped site.
It exemplifies the Agni Purāṇa’s practical, manual-like coverage of applied sciences—here, architecture and sacred geometry—alongside theology and ritual, showing it functions as a compendium of technical traditions.
By aligning construction with the Vāstu-maṇḍala and a ritually fit site, the act of building becomes a consecrated deed (puṇya), intended to harmonize the space with cosmic order and support auspicious worship.