Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 3
Chapter 53 — Liṅga-lakṣaṇa
Characteristics and Proportions of the Śiva-liṅga and Piṇḍikā
ब्रह्मविष्णुशिवांशेषु वर्धमानोयमुच्यते चतुरस्रेस्य वर्णार्धं गुह्यकोणेषु लाञ्छयेत्
brahmaviṣṇuśivāṃśeṣu vardhamānoyamucyate caturasresya varṇārdhaṃ guhyakoṇeṣu lāñchayet
On l’appelle « Vardhamāna » lorsqu’il est appliqué aux portions (aṃśa) de Brahmā, Viṣṇu et Śiva. Dans un carré (diagramme), on doit marquer la moitié des syllabes/lettres dans les angles cachés (guhya-koṇa).
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s instructional discourse)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Constructing and inscribing a Vardhamāna-type yantra/maṇḍala associated with Brahmā-Viṣṇu-Śiva portions, including letter-placement rules (varṇārdha) in concealed corners for ritual sealing (lākṣaṇa/nyāsa).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Vardhamāna-yantra: tri-deva aṃśa application and corner-letter marking","lookup_keywords":["Vardhamāna","yantra","Brahmā-Viṣṇu-Śiva","varṇārdha","guhya-koṇa"],"quick_summary":"A square diagram becomes ‘Vardhamāna’ when mapped to the tri-deva portions; inscribe half the set of letters/syllables into the hidden corners as a ritual marking protocol."}
Concept: Mantra-śarīra: divinity is installed/activated through varṇa (letters) placed in spatial loci (corners), integrating sound and form.
Application: During yantra drawing or altar marking, place the prescribed letter-set in the corners as protective sealing and deity-identification before offerings and japa.
Khanda Section: Yantra-Mantra & Puja-vidhi (Esoteric ritual diagrams and deity-marking procedures)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: śānta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A square yantra on a ritual board; corners emphasized as ‘guhya-koṇa’; letters/syllables being inscribed in corner compartments; tri-deva emblems subtly indicated in three portions.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, ritualist drawing a square yantra with red/black inks, corner compartments glowing, subtle icons of Brahmā-Viṣṇu-Śiva around the square, lamp-lit sanctum ambience","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, yantra board with gold-highlighted corner cells, priest inscribing akṣaras, tri-deva shown as small framed deities above, rich ornament and gold work","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clean geometric yantra with clearly legible corner akṣaras, instructional clarity, minimal background, fine gold lines marking the square and corner divisions","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, atelier-like ritual scene with calligraphic precision, square diagram on paper/board, scribe-priest writing akṣaras in corners, detailed textiles and objects"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Pūrvi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: vardhamānoyamucyate → vardhamānaḥ ayam ucyate; caturasresya → caturasrasya.
Related Themes: Agni Purāṇa: yantra/maṇḍala and mantra-nyāsa discussions in ritual chapters (elsewhere); Agni Purāṇa ch. 53: geometric expansions in v. 53.4 that can serve as yantra refinements
FAQs
It teaches a yantra/nyāsa procedure: in a square (caturasra) diagram, a specific arrangement called ‘Vardhamāna’ is employed, and half the mantra-letters are to be inscribed in the concealed corners.
Beyond narrative mythology, it preserves practical ritual-technology—how to construct and annotate geometric ritual diagrams (yantras) and distribute mantra-letters—showing the Agni Purana’s coverage of liturgy, esoteric practice, and technical sacred geometry.
Correct placement of letters and deity-aspects is treated as essential for ritual efficacy (siddhi) and purity of worship; the ‘hidden-corner’ marking implies guarded, potent deployment of mantra-power rather than casual inscription.