Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 15
नगरादिवास्तुकथनं
Discourse on Vāstu for Cities and Related Settlements
मरीचिश् च विवस्वांश् च मित्रं पृथ्वीधरस् तथा दशकोष्ठस्थिता दिक्षु त्वन्ये बेशादिकोणगाः
marīciś ca vivasvāṃś ca mitraṃ pṛthvīdharas tathā daśakoṣṭhasthitā dikṣu tvanye beśādikoṇagāḥ
Marīci, Vivasvān (le Soleil), Mitra, et de même Pṛthvīdhara — ceux-ci sont établis dans les dix compartiments des directions; quant aux autres (divinités), elles occupent les angles intermédiaires, à commencer par Veśa.
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Jyotisha","secondary_vidya":"Cosmology","practical_application":"Mapping directional compartments (koṣṭhas) with associated deities for ritual orientation, maṇḍala placement, and cosmographic visualization.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Dik-koṣṭha Devatā-sthiti: Marīci, Vivasvān, Mitra, Pṛthvīdhara, etc.","lookup_keywords":["dikpāla","koṣṭha","Marīci","Vivasvān","Mitra"],"quick_summary":"Enumerates deities stationed in ten directional compartments and notes additional deities occupying intermediate corners, beginning with Veśa, for cosmographic/ritual placement."}
Concept: Cosmic functions are distributed directionally; knowing dik-sthiti supports correct ritual alignment and cosmological comprehension.
Application: Use the list to assign guardians in diagrams, temple perimeters, and directional rites (dik-bandhana, dig-homa, prāyaścitta-śānti).
Khanda Section: Jyotisha / Dikpala-Nakshatra-Devata Enumeration (Cosmology and Directional Deities)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A circular or square cosmographic chart divided into ten directional compartments with names Marīci, Vivasvān, Mitra, Pṛthvīdhara placed in specific directions; corner compartments labeled with additional deities starting from Veśa.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural of a directional wheel/maṇḍala with ten compartments, each holding a seated deity; Sūrya (Vivasvān) radiant, Marīci sage-like; corner deities labeled beginning ‘Veśa’; bold outlines and flat colors.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore cosmographic panel with gold borders around ten compartments; Sūrya in gold halo; inscriptions for Mitra and Pṛthvīdhara; ornate corner cartouches for intermediate deities.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore instructional chart: clean ten-koṣṭha diagram with compass directions, neatly painted deities and labels; emphasis on clarity for ritual placement.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature of an astronomer-priest pointing to a ten-compartment directional chart; delicate calligraphy naming Marīci, Vivasvān, Mitra, Pṛthvīdhara; refined palette and border motifs."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Hamsadhwani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: मरीचिश् च = मरीचिः च; विवस्वांश् च = विवस्वान् च; पृथ्वीधरस् = पृथ्वी-धरः; दशकोष्ठस्थिता = दश-कोष्ठ-स्थिताः; त्वन्ये = तु अन्ये; बेशादिकोणगाः (पाठभेदः) = वेश-आदि-कोण-गाः
Related Themes: Agni Purana 105 (directional/koṣṭha placements; continuation of maṇḍala-vinyāsa)
FAQs
It provides a Jyotiṣa/ritual-orientation mapping: specific divine names are assigned to directional ‘compartments’ (koṣṭhas) and to the intermediate corners (koṇas), supporting correct spatial invocation and placement in rites and sacred layout.
By cataloging cosmological-directional correspondences (who is stationed where), it preserves a technical reference list used across disciplines—ritual procedure, temple/space orientation, and astrological cosmography—illustrating the Purana’s compendium style.
Aligning worship and actions with the proper directional deities is traditionally held to harmonize one’s rite with cosmic order (ṛta), reducing obstacles and increasing auspiciousness and merit (puṇya) through correct orientation.
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