Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 32
Chapter 93 — वास्तुपूजादिविधानम्
Procedure for Vāstu-worship and Related Rites
ईशाद्याः पादिकास्तस्मिन्नागद्याश् च द्विकोष्ठगाः षट्पदस्था मरीच्याद्या ब्रह्मा नवपदः स्मृतः
īśādyāḥ pādikāstasminnāgadyāś ca dvikoṣṭhagāḥ ṣaṭpadasthā marīcyādyā brahmā navapadaḥ smṛtaḥ
In jenem Vāstu-maṇḍala nehmen Īśa und die anderen jeweils ein einzelnes Feld ein; Nāga und die anderen zwei Felder; Marīci und die anderen sechs Felder; und Brahmā gilt als derjenige, der neun Felder einnimmt.
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha, as per the Agni Purāṇa’s usual dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Deity-allocation rules within the vāstu-maṇḍala: determining which deities occupy 1, 2, 6, or 9 squares for correct placement and avoidance of vāstu-doṣa.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Vāstu-maṇḍala pada-allocation: Īśa (1), Nāga (2), Marīci (6), Brahmā (9)","lookup_keywords":["vāstu maṇḍala devatā padas","Īśa pādika","Nāga dvikoṣṭha","Marīci ṣaṭpada","Brahmā navapada"],"quick_summary":"In the vāstu grid, some deities occupy single squares, some two, some six, while Brahmā occupies nine—guiding correct deity-placement and spatial hierarchy in planning."}
Concept: Sacred geometry as applied knowledge: proportional allocation embodies cosmic hierarchy within habitable space.
Application: Use these occupancy rules when drawing the vāstu grid to decide central and peripheral zones and their ritual/functional constraints.
Khanda Section: Vastu-Shastra / Mandala-Vinyasa (architectural grid and deity-placement)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: Vāstu-maṇḍala (architectural cosmogram)
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A vāstu-maṇḍala diagram shows deities occupying different numbers of squares: Īśa in a single square, Nāga spanning two, Marīci spanning six, and Brahmā occupying a central nine-square block.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, bold 9x9 grid with central 3x3 highlighted for Brahmā, peripheral squares marked with Īśa and Nāga symbols, sage Marīci spanning six squares, flat colors and strong outlines.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-highlighted central Brahmā 3x3, ornate deity emblems in assigned squares, decorative borders, rich reds and greens, symmetrical sacred geometry.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, crisp diagrammatic grid with color-coded occupancy counts (1/2/6/9), small deity icons and labels, instructional clarity, delicate shading.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, scholars around a drawn grid on paper, central nine squares illuminated for Brahmā, marginal notes for Īśa/Nāga/Marīci, fine linework and muted palette."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":null,"pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पादिकास्तस्मिन् = पादिकाः + तस्मिन्; तस्मिन्नागद्याः = तस्मिन् + आगद्याः; षट्पदस्था = षट्-पद-स्थाः; मरीच्याद्या = मरीचि-आद्याः.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 93 (vāstu-maṇḍala, pada-vinyāsa, devatā-sthāna)
FAQs
It gives a Vāstu-śāstra rule for assigning deities to the architectural grid (maṇḍala) by specifying how many squares (padas/koṣṭhas) each deity-group is allotted.
Beyond mythology, it preserves applied technical standards of temple/house planning—quantifying deity-allocation in the Vāstu grid—showing the Purāṇa’s coverage of practical sciences like architecture and ritual layout.
Correct placement of deities in the Vāstu-maṇḍala is treated as ensuring harmony and auspiciousness in construction, supporting ritual efficacy and reducing doṣa (inauspicious imbalance) in the built space.