Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 6
वागीश्वरीपूजा
Worship of Vāgīśvarī
चन्द्रमसायुतमिति ञ कृतमिति ख वीथिका पदिका कर्या पद्मान्यष्टौ चतुष्पदे वीथिका पदिका वाह्ये द्वाराणि द्विपदानि तु
candramasāyutamiti ña kṛtamiti kha vīthikā padikā karyā padmānyaṣṭau catuṣpade vīthikā padikā vāhye dvārāṇi dvipadāni tu
“(The plan-groups are indicated by syllabic markers) ‘ña’ denotes ‘joined with the Moon (candramasāyuta)’, and ‘kha’ denotes ‘made/constructed (kṛta)’. In the four-footed (catuṣpada) layout, the vīthikā and padikā (side lanes) should be arranged with eight ‘lotus’ divisions (padmāni). Outside, along the vīthikā–padikā belt, the doors (dvārāṇi) are to be set with two-foot (dvipada) spacing.”
Lord Agni (in instruction to Sage Vasiṣṭha, Agni Purana’s standard dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Mandala-based ground-plan drafting: laying out circumambulatory lanes (vīthikā/padikā), lotus-divisions, and door spacing for a catuṣpada plan.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Catuṣpada plan: vīthikā–padikā with eight padma-divisions and dvipada door spacing","lookup_keywords":["catuṣpada","vīthikā","padikā","padma divisions","dvipada doors"],"quick_summary":"For a four-footed (catuṣpada) layout, establish vīthikā and padikā lanes segmented into eight padma units; place exterior doors along this belt using dvipada spacing/measure."}
Concept: Ritual space becomes efficacious through correct measure (māna) and ordered segmentation (maṇḍala/padma).
Application: Use standardized modules and spacing to avoid inauspicious asymmetry in sacred and civic construction.
Khanda Section: Vastu-shastra (Architecture & Temple/Building Layout)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A temple or yantra ground-plan drawn as a square grid with an outer belt labeled vīthikā and padikā, subdivided into eight lotus-like segments; small door icons placed at dvipada intervals on the exterior.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural aesthetic showing a stylized vāstu-maṇḍala diagram on palm-leaf/wooden board, bold flat colors, clear outer vīthikā–padikā ring, eight padma divisions, door markers on the perimeter, traditional ornamental borders","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting of a sacred architect (sthapati) presenting a gilded vāstu-maṇḍala: raised gold outlining the outer ring and eight padma divisions, jewel-like door emblems on the perimeter, rich reds and greens, temple ambience","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style instructional illustration: clean linework of catuṣpada plan, labeled vīthikā/padikā, eight padma segments, dvipada door spacing indicated with measurement ticks, muted palette and delicate shading","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature of a court architect drafting a geometric plan on paper: precise grid, outer walkway ring, eight lotus divisions, doors on the edge; fine brush detail, marginal notes, rulers and compasses"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: Sandhi resolved minimally: candramasāyutamiti → चन्द्रमसा + आयुतम् + इति; padmānyaṣṭau → पद्मानि + अष्टौ; dvārāṇi dvipadāni kept separate; letter-markers ña/kha treated as वर्ण-निर्देश.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 318 (Vāstu/maṇḍala-vidhi context); Agni Purana vāstu sections on māna-pramāṇa and dvāra-lakṣaṇa
FAQs
It gives a Vāstu-śāstra rule for laying out peripheral passages (vīthikā, padikā) using an eight-padma modular division in a catuṣpada plan, and it prescribes a dvipada-based rule for placing doors along the exterior belt.
Beyond theology, the Agni Purana preserves applied sciences like architecture—here, technical planning terminology, modular divisions, and proportional door-placement rules typical of classical Vāstu manuals.
Correct spatial ordering (proper paths, divisions, and door placement) is traditionally held to harmonize the dwelling/temple with auspicious cosmic principles, supporting purity, stability, and well-being for occupants and worship.