Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 43
वागीश्वरीपूजा
The Worship of Vāgīśvarī
ऊर्ध्वगे द्विपदे लिङ्गमन्दिरं पार्श्वकोष्ठयोः मध्येन द्बिपदं पद्ममथ चैकञ्च पङ्कजं
ūrdhvage dvipade liṅgamandiraṃ pārśvakoṣṭhayoḥ madhyena dbipadaṃ padmamatha caikañca paṅkajaṃ
In the upper (northern) two-foot measure, the Liṅga-shrine should be placed; and in the middle space between the two side-niches, a lotus of two-foot measure should be made—along with a single lotus as well.
Lord Agni (in instruction to the sage Vasiṣṭha, as per the Agni Purāṇa’s standard dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Temple plan placement rules: locating a liṅga-shrine in a specified northern/upper module and placing lotus motifs of defined measures between side-niches for correct prāsāda layout.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Liṅga-mandira Sthāpana and Padma-vinyāsa in Prāsāda Plan","lookup_keywords":["liṅga-mandira","pārśva-koṣṭha","padma-vinyāsa","dvipada-māna","prāsāda-lakṣaṇa"],"quick_summary":"Specifies where to place the liṅga-shrine and how to set lotus elements by measure within the interspace of side-niches, guiding canonical temple layout."}
Concept: Sacred space is made efficacious through proportion (māna) and correct placement (sthāna) of deity-centers and auspicious motifs.
Application: Use module-based measurement to avoid asymmetry and ensure ritually valid shrine placement.
Khanda Section: Vāstu-Śāstra / Prāsāda-Lakṣaṇa (Temple Architecture and Iconographic Layout)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A temple ground-plan grid showing the northern/upper dvipada zone marked for a liṅga-shrine, with two side-niches and a central interspace containing a two-module lotus and a single-module lotus.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural look, architect-sage pointing to a floor-plan drawn in red ochre, liṅga-shrine indicated in the upper sector, stylized lotus rosettes between side niches, temple setting.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore panel: gilded lotus medallions on a schematic plan, small silvered liṅga-shrine icon in the upper grid, ornate borders, rich maroon background.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore instructional painting: crisp grid (pada) with labeled dvipada and ekapada lotuses, side niches drawn symmetrically, muted colors and fine outlines.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature of a master-builder presenting a measured plan to a patron, plan shows niches and lotus medallions, fine geometric detailing and calligraphic annotations."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"measured","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: liṅgamandiraṃ → liṅga-mandiram; pārśvakoṣṭhayoḥ is a compound; dbipadaṃ normalized to dvi-padam; caikañca → ca ekam ca.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 319 (prāsāda/koṣṭha/pada layout rules)
FAQs
It gives a Vāstu/Prāsāda rule: where to locate the Liṅga-shrine within a measured plan (dvipada), and how to position lotus (padma/paṅkaja) motifs/pedestals relative to the side-niches and the central axis.
Beyond mythology, it preserves applied architectural standards—precise spatial measurements and iconographic placements—showing the Agni Purāṇa as a compendium that includes Vāstu-śāstra and temple-planning alongside theology.
Correct placement of the Liṅga-shrine and its lotus bases is treated as ensuring ritual efficacy and auspicious flow within sacred space, supporting purity, stability, and merit (puṇya) through properly ordered worship architecture.