Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 23
Chapter 93 — वास्तुपूजादिविधानम्
Procedure for Vāstu-worship and Related Rites
तदधो रुद्रदासाय मासं मार्गमथोत्तरे ददीत माषनैवेद्यं षट्पदस्थे धराधरे
tadadho rudradāsāya māsaṃ mārgamathottare dadīta māṣanaivedyaṃ ṣaṭpadasthe dharādhare
Darunter soll man einen Monat lang dem Diener Rudras den vorgeschriebenen Ablauf der Darbringung gewähren; danach soll man im Norden eine Speisegabe aus māṣa (Schwarzgramm) an dem durch sechs Schritte gekennzeichneten Platz auf dem tragenden Boden (Altarsitz) darbringen.
Lord Agni (traditionally instructing sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vrata","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Time-bound observance: sustained offering regimen for Rudra’s attendant over a month, then a northern offering of māṣa-naivedya at a marked ‘six-step’ station on the altar ground.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Monthly offering regimen for Rudra-dāsa and māṣa-naivedya at Ṣaṭpada-sthāna","lookup_keywords":["Rudra-dāsa","māsa (one month) offering","māṣa naivedya","uttara (north)","ṣaṭpada-stha"],"quick_summary":"Maintain a month-long prescribed offering course for Rudra’s servant; afterward offer black-gram naivedya in the north at the designated six-step marker on the altar base."}
Concept: Niṣṭhā (steadfast continuity) in observance: efficacy is linked to duration (māsa) and exact placement (sthāna).
Application: Plan a 30-day schedule; keep offerings consistent; after completion, perform the northern māṣa-naivedya at the pre-marked six-step point.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Rudra/Shiva-related offering rites)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritual ground with a marked ‘six-step’ sign on the altar base; the priest maintains a month-long offering routine for Rudra’s attendant, then places a bowl of cooked black gram in the northern sector.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, sequential narrative panels: daily offerings over a lunar month, Rudra-gaṇa attendant indicated subtly, final scene shows black gram naivedya placed at a six-footprint marker in the north, earthy temple-floor tones","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-highlighted Rudra emblem and offering vessels, calendar-like month motif, final northern placement emphasized with ornate border and shining bowl of māṣa","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional sequence: month-long regimen shown as repeated steps, then arrow to 'uttara' with ṣaṭpada marker on altar ground, clear depiction of māṣa-naivedya","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, time-lapse feel with repeated attendants across days, final composition shows priest at north side of mandala placing black gram offering near a small six-footprint glyph, delicate architectural background"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तदधो → तत्-अधः; मार्गमथोत्तरे → मार्गम् अथ उत्तरे; षट्पदस्थे → षट्पद-स्थे; धराधरे → धर-अधरे.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 93 (Rudra-related offerings; continuation of dik/koṣṭhaka placements)
FAQs
It prescribes a month-long Rudra-related giving/observance, specifying directionality (north) and a particular naivedya (māṣa/black gram) to be offered at a measured ritual spot (“six steps”).
It exemplifies the text’s practical ritual manual style—combining dāna (charitable giving), vrata-like timing (one month), spatial rules (north), and material specifics (black gram naivedya) in a compact procedural instruction.
Such directed offerings and gifts to Rudra-associated recipients are presented as purificatory acts that accrue merit (puṇya) through disciplined observance, correct materials, and proper ritual placement.