Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 13
वागीश्वरीपूजा
The Worship of Vāgīśvarī
असंसक्ते दलाग्रे तु दिग्भागैर् विस्तराद्भजेत् भागद्वयपरित्यागाद्वस्वंशैर् वर्तयेद्दलम्
asaṃsakte dalāgre tu digbhāgair vistarādbhajet bhāgadvayaparityāgādvasvaṃśair vartayeddalam
In the “unjoined” (asaṃsakta) form, when the tip of the petal is not connected, one should divide its breadth according to the directional sectors, starting from the full width. After omitting two parts as an allowance, the petal is to be formed from the remaining eight portions.
Lord Agni (in discourse to the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Constructing an ‘asamsakta’ (unjoined) petal by proportional division: allocate breadth by directional sectors, keep margins, and form the petal from the remaining measured parts.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Proportional construction of Asamsakta petal (dala) by directional division","lookup_keywords":["asaṃsakta","dala-agra","dig-bhāga","aṃśa division","omit two parts"],"quick_summary":"Gives a drafting algorithm: divide the petal breadth by directional sectors; leave two parts as allowance, and shape the petal using the remaining eight portions."}
Concept: Form arises from proportion (māna) and directional order (dik-vibhāga), not freehand preference.
Application: Use an 10-part logic (2 reserved + 8 operative) to keep petals uniform across a full maṇḍala.
Khanda Section: Vāstu-Śāstra (Architectural & Diagrammatic Canons: Maṇḍala/yantra/lekhyavidhi)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A draftsman divides a petal’s width into parts aligned to directions, marks off two parts as margin, then curves the petal using the remaining eight segments; compass, ruler, and thread shown.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, artisan on floor drawing a lotus petal with directional lines (dik), segment marks, two-part margin highlighted, eight-part curve emphasized, minimal but clear geometry.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, decorative instructional panel with gold accents on measurement marks, petal outline formed from eight segments, margins indicated with contrasting color, temple workshop ambience.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore, diagrammatic step-by-step: (1) full breadth, (2) division into parts by directions, (3) omit two, (4) final petal curve from eight; fine lines and labels.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, geometry lesson scene: master instructs apprentice over a folio showing segmented petal construction, precise ink lines, elegant studio objects."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: digbhāgair = dig-bhāgaiḥ; vistarādbhajet = vistarāt + bhajet; bhāgadvayaparityāgād = bhāga-dvaya-parityāgāt; vasvaṃśair = vasu-aṃśaiḥ; vartayeddalam = vartayet + dalam.
Related Themes: Agni Purāṇa 319 (construction rules for saṃsakta/asaṃsakta lotus types)
FAQs
It gives a proportional drafting rule for constructing a petal/segment (dala) in a mandala/diagram: divide the width by directional sectors, leave a two-part allowance, and shape the segment using the remaining eight parts.
Beyond mythology, the Agni Purana preserves applied technical canons—here, precise geometric/proportional instructions used in Vāstu, temple planning, and ritual yantra/mandala drawing.
Accurate mandala/architectural proportion is treated as ritually efficacious: correct form supports correct worship and is traditionally held to promote auspiciousness and reduce defects (doṣa) in sacred constructions.