Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 30
Chapter 61 — द्वारप्रतिष्ठाध्वजारोहाणादिविधिः
Gateway Installation, Flag Hoisting, and Allied Rites
अष्टारं द्वादशारं वा मध्ये मूर्तिमतान्वितं नारसिंहेन तार्क्ष्येण ध्वजदण्डस्तु निर्ब्रणः
aṣṭāraṃ dvādaśāraṃ vā madhye mūrtimatānvitaṃ nārasiṃhena tārkṣyeṇa dhvajadaṇḍastu nirbraṇaḥ
On façonnera (l’emblème sacré) comme une roue à huit ou à douze rayons, avec une image figurée placée au centre ; il peut être accompagné de Narasiṃha et de Tārkṣya (Garuḍa). Le mât du drapeau (dhvaja-daṇḍa) doit être exempt de blessures ou de défauts.
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Shilpa","secondary_vidya":"Vastu","practical_application":"Designing the dhvaja emblem (cakra-like wheel) with specified spoke-count and central figure, optionally with Narasiṃha and Garuḍa motifs, and selecting an unblemished flagstaff suitable for ritual installation.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Dhvaja-Emblem: Aṣṭāra/Dvādaśāra Cakra with Central Mūrti; Narasiṃha–Tārkṣya Motifs; Unblemished Staff","lookup_keywords":["aṣṭāra","dvādaśāra","cakra","narasiṃha","tārkṣya"],"quick_summary":"The sacred emblem may be an 8- or 12-spoked wheel with a central image, optionally flanked/associated with Narasiṃha and Garuḍa; the flagstaff must be free from wounds/defects for ritual purity and durability."}
Weapon Type: Cakra (wheel/discus) as emblem; implied āyudha symbolism
Concept: Ritual efficacy depends on correct form (ākṛti), number (saṅkhyā), and material integrity (nirdoṣatā) of sacred implements.
Application: Choose defect-free timber/metal for the staff and follow canonical spoke-count and deity motifs when crafting the emblem for installation.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Yantra–Dhvaja–Pratima Lakshana / Iconography and ritual implements)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: vīra
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"An artisan crafts a wheel-emblem with eight or twelve spokes; a small central deity figure is set within; Narasiṃha and Garuḍa motifs appear as accompanying figures; a straight, flawless flagstaff is inspected for blemishes before installation.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, artisan workshop near temple, large cakra emblem with 8/12 spokes, central mūrti, Narasiṃha and Garuḍa shown in stylized forms, priests inspecting a smooth unblemished staff, bold colors","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-leaf cakra spokes and halo-like vimba, central deity figure richly ornamented, Narasiṃha and Garuḍa with gold highlights, ceremonial inspection of polished staff","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, technical clarity: close-up of 8- and 12-spoked variants, central mūrti placement, side motifs of Narasiṃha and Garuḍa, craftsman checking staff for cracks, fine linework","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed atelier scene with tools, craftsmen engraving spokes, miniature Narasiṃha and Garuḍa figures, patron/priest examining the flawless staff, intricate textiles and architecture"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: अष्टारं = अष्ट-अरम्; द्वादशारं = द्वादश-अरम्; मूर्तिमतान्वितं = मूर्तिमत्-अन्वितम्; ध्वजदण्डस्तु = ध्वज-दण्डः + तु.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 61 (yantra–dhvaja–pratimā lakṣaṇa context)
FAQs
It prescribes the correct ritual design for a sacred emblem/standard: an eight- or twelve-spoked chakra with a central icon, optionally associated with Narasiṃha and Garuḍa, and it gives a practical material rule that the flagstaff must be unblemished (nirbraṇa).
Beyond theology, it records applied temple-ritual technology—precise specifications for sacred objects (chakra/yantra forms, icon placement, and construction-quality requirements), showing the text’s coverage of ritual arts and material standards.
Using a properly formed emblem and a blemish-free flagstaff is treated as preserving ritual purity and auspiciousness; defects are traditionally avoided because they are believed to disturb the intended sanctity and efficacy of worship.