Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 17
Chapter 93 — वास्तुपूजादिविधानम्
Procedure for Vāstu-worship and Related Rites
मारुताय ध्वजं पीतं नागाय नागकेशरं मुख्ये भक्ष्याणि भल्लाटे मुद्गसूपं सुसंस्कृतं
mārutāya dhvajaṃ pītaṃ nāgāya nāgakeśaraṃ mukhye bhakṣyāṇi bhallāṭe mudgasūpaṃ susaṃskṛtaṃ
Für Maruta (Vāyu) soll man ein gelbes Banner darbringen; für die Nāgas nāgakeśara. Der Hauptgottheit (mukhya) bringe man auserlesene Speisen dar; und Bhallāṭa eine wohlzubereitete Suppe aus Mungbohnen (mudga).
Lord Agni (in instruction to sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purana dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vrata","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Naivedya/bali assignment by deity-class: Vāyu receives a yellow standard, Nāgas receive nāgakeśara, the main deity receives best edibles, and Bhallāṭa receives seasoned mung soup.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Offerings for Maruta, Nāgas, Mukhyadevatā, and Bhallāṭa","lookup_keywords":["maruta","dhvaja pīta","nāgakeśara","mudga-sūpa","naivedya"],"quick_summary":"Match offerings to recipients: symbolic banner for Vāyu, fragrant nāgakeśara for serpent deities, premium foods for the principal deity, and well-cooked green-gram soup for Bhallāṭa."}
Dosha: Pitta
Concept: Appropriateness (yogyatā) in worship—symbol, substance, and recipient must align.
Application: When performing pūjā, separate ‘mukhya’ naivedya from subsidiary bali items; keep offerings pure, well-prepared, and context-appropriate.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Ritual offerings and bali/naivedya allocations to deities and beings)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritual setting with a yellow banner prepared for Vāyu, nāgakeśara flowers/spice offered to serpent deities, a central platter of fine foods for the main deity, and a bowl of well-seasoned mung soup set aside for Bhallāṭa.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, temple courtyard: fluttering yellow dhvaja, nāga motifs near a small shrine, priest arranging offerings, central deity altar with rich naivedya, earthen bowl of mudga-sūpa, lamps and floral borders","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-work on the yellow standard and altar ornaments, nāga shrine with jeweled hooded serpent, sumptuous main naivedya platter, glossy bowl of mung soup, symmetrical composition","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clear instructional depiction: labeled items (pīta-dhvaja, nāgakeśara, mukhya-bhakṣya, mudga-sūpa), priest demonstrating placement order, neat architectural backdrop","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed temple veranda, yellow banner held by attendant, priest offering nāgakeśara at a serpent icon, central altar with delicacies, bowl of soup with steam, fine textile patterns"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shuddha Saveri","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: Compounds resolved: नागकेशरम् = नाग-केशरम्, मुद्गसूपम् = मुद्ग-सूपम्, सुसंस्कृतम् = सु-सम्-स्कृतम् (prefixal formation).
Related Themes: Agni Purana Puja-vidhi: naivedya gradation (mukhya vs. bali) and offerings to vāyu/nāga classes (same khanda context)
FAQs
It prescribes deity-specific naivedya/bali: a yellow standard for Vāyu (Maruta), nāgakeśara for the Nāgas, select edibles for the principal recipient, and properly prepared mudga-soup for Bhallāṭa.
It functions like a ritual manual entry—cataloging precise offerings for different divine and semi-divine recipients—showing the text’s practical, procedural coverage beyond narrative mythology.
Following correct offering-allocation (yathāvidhi naivedya/bali) is taught as a means to maintain ritual purity, gain the favor of the invoked beings, and remove obstacles attributed to displeased elemental or serpent powers.