Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 6
Chapter 47 — शालग्रामादिपूजाकथनं
Teaching the Worship of Śālagrāma and Related Sacred Forms
विधातारञ्च कर्तारं हर्तारं दक्षसौम्ययोः विश्वक्सेनं यजेदीशे आग्नेये क्षेत्रपालकम्
vidhātārañca kartāraṃ hartāraṃ dakṣasaumyayoḥ viśvaksenaṃ yajedīśe āgneye kṣetrapālakam
Dans les directions du Sud et du Nord, on doit vénérer (respectivement) Vidhātṛ (l’Ordonnateur), Kartṛ (le Faiseur/Créateur) et Hartṛ (le Retrancheur). Au Nord‑Est, on vénère Viśvaksena; au Sud‑Est, le Kṣetrapālaka (gardien du lieu sacré).
Lord Agni (narrating ritual procedure to sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Completes directional deity-worship around the maṇḍala by assigning Vidhātṛ/Kartṛ/Hartṛ to south/north (and adjacent) placements, plus Viśvaksena (NE) and Kṣetrapāla (SE) as guardians ensuring obstacle-removal and site-protection.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Āvaraṇa-devatā Dik-niyoga: Vidhātṛ, Kartṛ, Hartṛ, Viśvaksena, Kṣetrapāla","lookup_keywords":["vidhātṛ kartṛ hartṛ","viśvaksena northeast","kṣetrapāla southeast","dikpūjā","kṣetra-rakṣā"],"quick_summary":"Worship specific functional deities by direction—ordaining/creating/removing powers in the southern/northern placements, Viśvaksena in the north-east, and Kṣetrapāla in the south-east—to secure the ritual field and ensure unobstructed worship."}
Concept: Ritual duty includes kṣetra-rakṣā (protecting the sacred field) through appointed guardians and ordered invocation.
Application: Before main deity worship, propitiate Viśvaksena/Kṣetrapāla and directional function-deities to prevent vighna and maintain ritual purity.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Dikpala & Kshetrapala Devata-yajana / Mandala-nyasa context)
Primary Rasa: vīra
Secondary Rasa: śānta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Outer worship around a mandala: in NE stands Viśvaksena as a commanding guardian; in SE stands Kṣetrapāla as a fierce protector; offerings placed to functional deities at south/north points.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, mandala with corner guardians, Viśvaksena in NE with martial bearing, Kṣetrapāla in SE as fierce sentinel, priest offering flowers/incense at each direction","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-highlighted guardian figures at NE and SE, ornate jewelry, ritual lamps, clear directional geometry around the central chakra","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional compass layout with labeled NE/SE, small icon panels for Viśvaksena and Kṣetrapāla, clean lines and soft shading","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, palace-temple courtyard with a mandala cloth, attendants placing offerings at corners, Viśvaksena and Kṣetrapāla depicted as protective figures with fine textile detail"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"solemn","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: विधातारञ्च = विधातारम् + च; यजेदीशे = यजेत् + ईशे.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 47 (dikpāla/kshetrapāla yajana sequence)
FAQs
It assigns specific deities/guardian powers to specific directions (south, north, north-east, south-east) to be invoked during pūjā, establishing directional protection (dik-bandha) and site-guardianship (kṣetra-pālana).
It exemplifies the Agni Purāṇa’s practical ritual manual dimension—cataloging not only theology but also operational temple/mandala procedures, including where (directionally) and whom (specific guardians) to worship for a complete rite.
Following the prescribed directional worship is taught as a means to secure ritual purity, remove obstacles, and protect the sacred space—thereby making the sacrifice/pūjā effective and merit-yielding (puṇya) without impediments.