Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 2
Vāsudevādi-pratimā-lakṣaṇa-vidhiḥ
Iconographic and Iconometric Procedure for Vāsudeva and the Vyūha Forms
संस्थाप्य पूज्य च बलिं दत्वाथो मध्यसूचकं शिलां शिल्पी तु नवधा विभज्य नवमे ऽंशके
saṃsthāpya pūjya ca baliṃ datvātho madhyasūcakaṃ śilāṃ śilpī tu navadhā vibhajya navame 'ṃśake
Après l’avoir installée, l’avoir vénérée et avoir offert le bali (oblation rituelle), l’artisan doit prendre la dalle de pierre servant à indiquer le centre et la diviser en neuf parts ; sur la neuvième division (la neuvième part) doit être fixé/marqué l’indice du centre.
Lord Agni (in instruction-mode, teaching vāstu/śilpa procedure)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Setting out the temple/grid: after installation rites, using a central-indicator slab and dividing it into nine to fix the central mark for layout and measurements.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Madhya-sūcaka-śilā: navadhā-vibhāga (ninefold division for center marking)","lookup_keywords":["madhya-sūcaka","śilā","navadhā vibhajya","bali","sthāpanā"],"quick_summary":"After ritual preliminaries (worship and bali), the sthapati uses a center-indicator slab, divides it into nine parts, and fixes the central indication on the ninth share—standardizing the layout’s bindu/center."}
Concept: Ritual action and technical measurement are integrated; correct center-finding is a prerequisite for stable sacred construction.
Application: In any sacred construction (or even precise civil layout), establish the center (madhya/bindu) through a standardized grid division before further measurements.
Khanda Section: Vāstu-Śāstra (Architecture, icon/temple layout, measurement and installation procedures)
Primary Rasa: śānta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"An artisan (śilpī) kneels by a stone slab marked for the center; the slab is divided into a 3x3 grid (nine parts). A priest offers bali nearby; tools like chalk, cord, and measuring rod are visible.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, temple courtyard, sthapati dividing a stone slab into nine squares, priest placing bali offerings, warm earthy tones, stylized tools and geometric grid clearly shown.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, gold accents on ritual vessels, the 3x3 grid on the slab prominent, priest and artisan in profile, temple pillars behind, rich reds and greens.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, diagrammatic clarity: 3x3 division on madhya-sūcaka-śilā, artisan with stylus, labels for navāṃśa, calm instructional scene.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, precise geometry and instruments, artisan drawing the ninefold division, priest with bali tray, architectural background with fine patterns and borders."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bilāval","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: datvātho → datvā atha; navame 'ṃśake → navame aṃśake.
Related Themes: Agni Purāṇa: vāstu-maṇḍala, prāsāda-māna, and bali/śānti procedures in nearby chapters
FAQs
It teaches a vāstu/śilpa procedure: after installation and worship with a bali-offering, the centre-indicating stone is divided into nine parts to determine/mark the correct central point.
Beyond theology, it preserves applied technical know-how—practical architectural workflow (ritual preliminaries plus geometric division for locating the centre), showing the Purana’s coverage of engineering-like methods within a religious framework.
By placing the work under pūjā and bali, the act of construction is ritually purified and aligned with dharma, aiming to remove obstacles and ensure auspiciousness and merit for the patron and the builder.