Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 27
Chapter 64 — कूपादिप्रतिष्ठाकथनं
The Account of the Consecration of Wells and Other Water-Works
पूजयेद्गन्धपुष्पाद्यैर् हेमपुष्पादिभिः क्रमात् मण्डले इति ख, ङ, चिह्नितपुस्तकद्वयपाठः मूले त्वग्नौ च होमयेदिति ङ, चिह्नितपुस्तकपाठः वायुः सोमो महेन्द्रक इति ङ, चिह्नितपुस्तकपाठः जलाशयांस्तु दिग्भागे वितस्तिद्वयसम्मितान्
pūjayedgandhapuṣpādyair hemapuṣpādibhiḥ kramāt maṇḍale iti kha, ṅa, cihnitapustakadvayapāṭhaḥ mūle tvagnau ca homayediti ṅa, cihnitapustakapāṭhaḥ vāyuḥ somo mahendraka iti ṅa, cihnitapustakapāṭhaḥ jalāśayāṃstu digbhāge vitastidvayasammitān
On doit accomplir le culte selon l’ordre prescrit avec parfums, fleurs et autres offrandes, y compris des fleurs d’or et semblables. Dans le maṇḍala, selon certaines leçons variantes, il est dit d’offrir le homa dans le feu à la base/à la racine ; et, dans quelques recensions, sont aussi mentionnées les divinités Vāyu, Soma et Mahendra. On établira encore des réservoirs d’eau dans les secteurs des directions, chacun mesurant deux vitasti (deux empans).
Lord Agni (instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s ritual sections)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Ritual layout guidance: sequential offerings, maṇḍala-related homa variants, and establishing directional water-reservoirs with specified measurement (vitasti).","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Maṇḍala-upacāra sequence and directional jalāśaya measurement (2 vitasti) with recension variants","lookup_keywords":["mandala worship sequence","hema-puṣpa","mūle agnau homa","Vāyu Soma Mahendra","jalāśaya vitasti"],"quick_summary":"The verse combines pūjā sequencing (including special offerings like golden flowers), notes variant readings about maṇḍala/homa and invoked deities, and prescribes small water-reservoirs in directional sectors measured by two spans."}
Concept: Correct ritual outcomes depend on both upacāra-krama (sequence) and deśa-māna (spatial measurement), with awareness of śākhā-bheda (recensional variation).
Application: Follow the offering sequence; if your paddhati includes ‘homa at the base/root’ and invoking Vāyu–Soma–Mahendra, incorporate it; place small water basins in each directional sector, each about two vitastis across.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Mandala-devata worship and ritual layout)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A maṇḍala worship scene with layered offerings: perfumes, flowers, and special golden flowers; a fire at the base point for homa; directional sectors each containing a small water basin measured by spans; marginal notes indicating variant readings and deity names (Vāyu, Soma, Mahendra).","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, geometric maṇḍala with quadrant/diagonal sectors, small blue water basins at edges, priest offering golden flowers, small fire at the ‘mūla’ point, stylized labels for Vāyu, Soma, Mahendra; manuscript-variant motif as side panels.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, ornate maṇḍala with gold-leaf floral offerings, shimmering ‘hema-puṣpa’, small water basins with lotus designs in each direction, fire at base, rich temple interior, heavy gold borders.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore instructional composition: top-down maṇḍala diagram, clearly drawn jalāśayas in dik-bhāga with ‘2 vitasti’ measurement marks, inset showing offerings (gandha, puṣpa, hema-puṣpa) and optional homa-at-root step.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, scribe-like marginalia showing variant readings, refined ritual courtyard with small water troughs at compass points, priest offering golden flowers, delicate fire at one edge; fine architectural detailing."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shuddha Saveri","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पूजयेद्गन्धपुष्पाद्यैः = पूजयेत् + गन्धपुष्पाद्यैः; जलाशयांस्तु = जलाशयान् + तु. Verse contains extensive critical apparatus in the provided text; only the main readable pādas analyzed (excluding editorial notes).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 64 (maṇḍala and homa procedural cluster; variant pāṭha notes)
FAQs
It specifies a maṇḍala-based worship sequence (gandha, puṣpa, precious offerings like hema-puṣpa) and indicates homa at the foundational point, plus directional placement of small water-reservoirs measured in vitastis.
Alongside devotion, it preserves practical ritual engineering—offerings, fire-oblation procedure, deity lists by recension, and spatial prescriptions (directional sectors and measurements), blending liturgy with layout/measurement knowledge.
Ordered worship and homa are framed as purificatory acts that stabilize the rite’s sanctity; the regulated placement of elements (like water in the quarters) supports ritual completeness and auspiciousness, thereby enhancing merit (puṇya).