Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 7
Chapter 47 — शालग्रामादिपूजाकथनं
Teaching the Worship of Śālagrāma and Related Sacred Forms
ऋगादिवेदान् प्रागादौ आधारानन्तकं भुवं पीठं पद्मं चार्कचन्द्रवह्न्याख्यं मण्डलत्रयं
ṛgādivedān prāgādau ādhārānantakaṃ bhuvaṃ pīṭhaṃ padmaṃ cārkacandravahnyākhyaṃ maṇḍalatrayaṃ
Au début, en commençant par le côté oriental, on doit placer le Ṛg et les autres Veda; puis établir la base de soutien appelée Ādhāra‑Anantaka, la couche Bhū (terre), le pīṭha (siège‑estrade), le padma (lotus) et la triade de maṇḍala nommée Arka (Soleil), Candra (Lune) et Vahni (Feu).
Lord Agni (traditionally instructing sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s ritual-technical sections)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Vastu","practical_application":"Mandala/pīṭha construction sequence: place Ṛg and other Vedas from the east, then establish layered supports (Ādhāra-Anantaka, Bhū, pīṭha, padma) and three mandalas (Sun, Moon, Fire) as the ritual cosmogram foundation for pūjā.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Pīṭha-krama: Veda-nyāsa and Arka–Candra–Vahni Maṇḍala-traya","lookup_keywords":["veda nyāsa east","ādhāra-anantaka","bhū layer","pīṭha padma","arka candra vahni mandala"],"quick_summary":"Construct the worship-seat by a layered cosmological layout: install the Vedas directionally, then the foundational supports and lotus-seat, culminating in three mandalas (Sun, Moon, Fire) that stabilize the ritual universe."}
Concept: Ritual knowledge maps Veda and cosmos onto a constructed seat; worship is grounded in ordered supports (ādhāra) and elemental luminaries.
Application: When preparing a pūjā-āsana/maṇḍala, follow the prescribed layering to avoid ‘asiddhi’ (ritual non-attainment) due to faulty foundation.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Mandala & Pitha construction; Vedic foundations in ritual layout)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: śānta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A stepwise cosmological diagram: east-marked placement of four Vedas, then a layered base labeled Ādhāra-Anantaka, Bhū, pīṭha, padma, and three mandalas—Sun, Moon, Fire—stacked or arranged concentrically.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, sacred geometry with labeled layers, Ananta as a coiled serpent base beneath the platform, lotus-seat above, three glowing discs for Sun, Moon, Fire, strong east-direction marker","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-embellished lotus pedestal, Sun/Moon/Fire discs with radiant halos, Ananta base rendered richly, Veda symbols placed at the perimeter starting east","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional cutaway showing stacked layers (ādhāra, bhū, pīṭha, padma) and the three mandalas, neat annotations, calm palette","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, artisan-priest drawing a mandala on cloth with compass and pigments, layered cosmogram visible, Sun/Moon/Fire medallions finely detailed"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Ahir Bhairav","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: प्रागादौ = प्राक् + आदौ; चार्कचन्द्रवह्न्याख्यं = च + अर्क + चन्द्र + वह्नि + आख्यम् (वह्नि + आख्यम् → वह्न्याख्यम्).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 47 (maṇḍala/pīṭha/nyāsa instructions)
FAQs
It prescribes the ritual-architectural sequence for constructing/placing the foundational layers (ādhāra, bhū, pīṭha, padma) and establishing three specific maṇḍalas—Sun, Moon, and Fire—starting from the eastern orientation, along with Vedic placement.
Beyond mythic narration, it gives procedural, technical instructions for worship-diagram (maṇḍala/yantra) layout and sacred platform design—showing the Agni Purana’s coverage of applied ritual science alongside theology.
Correctly establishing the pīṭha-padma and the Sun–Moon–Fire maṇḍalas is treated as a means to align worship with cosmic order (ṛta), enhancing purity and efficacy of rites and thereby increasing religious merit (puṇya).