Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 21
जीर्णोद्धारः (Jīrṇoddhāra) — Renovation and Ritual Handling of Defective Liṅgas and Old Shrines
खड्गे मन्त्रगणं न्यस्य कारयेत् मन्दिरान्तरं सङ्कोचे मरणं प्रोक्तं विस्तारो तु धनक्षयः
khaḍge mantragaṇaṃ nyasya kārayet mandirāntaraṃ saṅkoce maraṇaṃ proktaṃ vistāro tu dhanakṣayaḥ
Après avoir accompli le nyāsa du groupe de mantras sur l’épée, on fera édifier l’enceinte intérieure du temple. Il est déclaré que, si l’on resserre trop, il en résulte la mort, tandis qu’une extension excessive entraîne la perte de richesse.
Lord Agni (instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s technical-ritual sections)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Temple interior planning with ritual-technical nyāsa on a sword as a consecratory/ritual tool; avoid under- or over-sizing the inner precinct to prevent inauspicious outcomes.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Khādga-mantra-nyāsa and Mandira-antara Proportioning","lookup_keywords":["khadga","mantra-nyasa","mandira-antara","sankocha","vistara"],"quick_summary":"Perform mantra-nyāsa on the sword as part of the ritual-technical setup, then construct the temple’s inner precinct with balanced dimensions; too narrow is said to bring death, too wide to bring loss of wealth."}
Weapon Type: Sword (khadga) used as ritual implement
Concept: R̥ta-like order through correct measure (māna) and ritual installation; imbalance in space produces imbalance in life outcomes.
Application: Use measured moderation in sacred construction; treat spatial design as ethically consequential.
Khanda Section: Vastu-vidya / Yantra-Mantra-Prayoga (Temple construction and ritual-technical instructions)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A sthapati-priest performs mantra-nyāsa on a gleaming sword beside a temple plan, while masons mark the inner precinct lines; a visual contrast shows cramped vs overly expanded interiors with symbolic omens.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, flat rich colors, sthapati and priest doing khadga-mantra-nyasa near a temple blueprint on palm-leaf, inner sanctum lines drawn with white kolam, symbolic Yama shadow for constriction and Lakshmi departing for over-expansion, ornate borders","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-leaf highlights on the sword and temple doorway, priest performing nyasa mudras, architects with measuring cord, two small side-panels: cramped garbhagriha with ominous dark aura, oversized hall with coins spilling away, jewel-toned palette","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, delicate linework, instructional composition showing measured grid, inner precinct dimensions annotated, priest empowering sword with mantra-nyasa, calm workshop setting with tools (measuring rod, cord), emphasis on proportion","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed architectural plan and craftsmen, priest holding sword with inscribed mantras, courtly patron observing, split-scene showing narrow vs wide interior consequences via allegorical figures, fine brushwork and patterned textiles"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: मन्त्रगणं = मन्त्र-गणम्; मन्दिरान्तरं = मन्दिर-अन्तरम्; धनक्षयः = धन-क्षयः.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 103 (Jīrṇoddhāra/Vāstu context); Agni Purana 104 (Prāsāda-lakṣaṇa measurements)
FAQs
It teaches a combined mantra-nyāsa procedure (installing a mantra-group onto a sword as a ritual implement) alongside a Vāstu instruction: the temple’s interior should be proportioned correctly—too small is inauspicious (death), too large leads to financial depletion.
In one compact rule it merges ritual technology (mantra-nyāsa, weapon sanctification) with architectural science (mandira measurements and their predicted outcomes), showing how the Agni Purana integrates Tantra-ritual practice with Vāstu/temple-building norms.
Correct ritual installation and proper spatial proportion are treated as dharmic safeguards: imbalance in construction is framed as producing harmful karmic/omenic results (fatality or loss of prosperity), while correct proportion supports protection and stable wealth.