Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 3
Chapter 56 — दिक्पालयागकथनम्
Account of the Worship of the Guardians of the Directions
अष्टषोडशविंशान्तं मण्डपञ्चाधमादिकम् स्नानं कलशार्थञ्च यागद्रव्यार्थमर्धतः
aṣṭaṣoḍaśaviṃśāntaṃ maṇḍapañcādhamādikam snānaṃ kalaśārthañca yāgadravyārthamardhataḥ
À partir des (mesures) de huit, seize et jusqu’à vingt (unités), le texte expose le maṇḍapa (pavillon rituel) et la classification en cinq degrés en commençant par le type le plus bas ; il enseigne aussi le rite du bain (snāna), la finalité et l’usage du kalaśa (vase de consécration) et—brièvement, en aperçu—les matériaux requis pour le sacrifice/culte (yāga-dravya).
Lord Agni (in instruction to sage Vasiṣṭha, the standard Agni Purana dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vrata","secondary_vidya":"Vastu","practical_application":"Checklist-style guidance for consecration logistics: mandapa sizing/types, bathing rite, kalaśa function, and required yāga materials—useful for planning and executing temple rites.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Mandapa measures, snāna, kalaśa purpose, and yāga-dravya outline","lookup_keywords":["maṇḍapa","aṣṭa ṣoḍaśa viṃśa","snāna","kalaśa","yāga-dravya"],"quick_summary":"Summarizes the scope of instructions: mandapa dimensions (8/16/20 units), fivefold mandapa classification, bathing rite, the role of the kalaśa, and an outline of sacrificial materials."}
Concept: Ritual efficacy depends on correct supports: space (mandapa), purification (snāna), containment/infusion (kalaśa), and proper materials (dravya).
Application: Use as a planning rubric: confirm mandapa size/type, prepare snāna sequence, assign kalaśa roles, and inventory yāga materials before commencing.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Yajna-vidhi (Ritual procedure: mandapa, snana, kalasha, and materials for worship)
Primary Rasa: śānta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritual pavilion under construction/arrangement: measured mandapa with marked units, bathing setup, consecration pots arranged, and trays of yāga materials laid out in an orderly grid.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, mandapa with hanging festoons, measured floor markings, priests arranging kalaśas and snāna vessels, flat vivid colors, decorative borders.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, symmetrical mandapa interior with gold-embossed kalaśas, richly patterned cloths, neatly arranged offerings, luminous sanctity.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional layout diagram feel: mandapa proportions, labeled kalaśa positions, snāna vessels, dravya trays, delicate lines and muted palette.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, artisans and priests preparing a pavilion, precise depiction of vessels and materials, patterned carpets, architectural depth, fine detail."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: aṣṭaṣoḍaśaviṃśāntaṃ = aṣṭa-ṣoḍaśa-viṃśa-antam; maṇḍapañcādhamādikam = maṇḍapa-pañca-adhamādi-kam; kalaśārthaṃ ca = kalaśa-artham ca; yāgadravyārthamardhataḥ = yāga-dravya-artham ardhataḥ.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 56 (subsequent details on vedi, decorations, purification)
FAQs
It signals a structured ritual manual: standard mandapa measurement ranges (8/16/20), a fivefold grading of mandapas starting from the inferior type, plus procedures for snana, the function of the kalaśa, and a concise outline of yāga (worship/sacrifice) materials.
It exemplifies the Agni Purana’s compendium style by cataloging multiple applied domains in one sweep—ritual architecture (mandapa/Vastu), purification rites (snana), consecration technology (kalasha), and liturgical logistics (yaga-dravya).
By prescribing correct structure, purification, and properly consecrated implements and offerings, it frames ritual performance as both technically valid and spiritually purifying—supporting merit (puṇya) through orderly, rule-based worship.