Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 8
Chapter 72 — स्नानविशेषादिकथनम्
Special Rules of Bathing, Mantra-Purification, and Sandhyā
वामपाणितले कुर्याद्भागत्रयमुदङ्मुखः अङ्गैर् दक्षिणमेकाद्यं पूर्वमस्त्रेण सप्तधा
vāmapāṇitale kuryādbhāgatrayamudaṅmukhaḥ aṅgair dakṣiṇamekādyaṃ pūrvamastreṇa saptadhā
Tourné vers le nord, qu’il marque trois divisions sur la paume de la main gauche. Puis, du côté droit, en commençant par le premier aṅga, qu’il accomplisse les placements dans l’ordre; et du côté oriental (de face), qu’il applique l’astra-mantra selon une séquence de sept fois.
Lord Agni (in instruction to the sage Vasiṣṭha, as typical for Agni Purāṇa ritual-vidhi sections)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Hand-nyāsa/karanyāsa-like mapping: divide left palm into three parts facing north; perform aṅga-nyāsa on the right beginning with the first aṅga; apply astra-mantra seven times to the eastern/front side for protection.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Palm Division and Sevenfold Astra-nyāsa (Facing North)","lookup_keywords":["karanyāsa","aṅga-nyāsa","astra-mantra","saptadhā","udak-mukha"],"quick_summary":"Facing north, mark three divisions on the left palm; then place aṅgas on the right in order and seal the front/eastern side with the astra-mantra repeated sevenfold."}
Weapon Type: Astra (mantra-weapon)
Concept: Body and hand become the altar; directionality and number (three, seven) encode ritual order and protection.
Application: Use consistent orientation and counted repetitions to standardize nyāsa and avoid procedural faults in daily worship.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Mantra-nyasa and Mudra (Tantric ritual procedure)
Primary Rasa: Adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: Shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A practitioner facing north, left palm shown with three marked sections; right side receives sequential aṅga placements; a radiant protective ‘astra’ seal is applied seven times toward the front/east.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, didactic close-up of hands with three-part palm markings, north-facing figure, stylized compass directions, glowing astra seal in front, traditional pigments.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, ornate hand close-up with gold highlights on palm divisions, luminous astra emblem repeated seven times as small gold motifs, temple-tank backdrop.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore, instructional diagram-like painting: labeled three palm sections, sequence arrows for aṅga placements, seven astra stamps on the eastern/front side; refined lines.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, scholar-sādhaka seated, careful naturalistic hands, faint geometric overlays indicating three divisions and seven seals, architectural niche suggesting east direction."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"focused","suggested_raga":"Hamsadhwani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: kuryādbhāgatrayamudaṅmukhaḥ → kuryāt bhāga-trayam udaṅ-mukhaḥ; pūrvamastreṇa → pūrvam astreṇa.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 72 (nyāsa and mudrā details around snāna/pujā)
FAQs
It teaches a precise nyāsa-style procedure: dividing the left palm into three parts, orienting oneself northward, then applying aṅga-mantras and finally using the protective Astra-mantra in a sevenfold manner tied to directional placement.
Alongside theology and myth, the Agni Purāṇa preserves highly technical liturgical mechanics—directional rules, hand/palm layouts, mantra-sequencing, and protective formulae—showing it functions as a practical manual for ritual technology.
Such nyāsa and Astra-mantra applications are intended to purify the practitioner, establish mantra-protection (rakṣā), and ensure the rite is performed with correct orientation and empowered bodily ‘installation’ of sacred sound.