Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 23
Agnisthāpana-vidhi (Procedure for Establishing the Sacred Fire) and Protective Īśāna-kalpa Homa Sequences
दूर्वाक्षतैश् च पर्यन्तं परिधिस्थाननुक्रमात् इन्द्रादीशानपर्यन्तान्तान्विष्टरस्थाननुक्रमात्
dūrvākṣataiś ca paryantaṃ paridhisthānanukramāt indrādīśānaparyantāntānviṣṭarasthānanukramāt
Avec l’herbe dūrvā et des grains de riz intacts (akṣata), il doit (vénérer/marquer) l’enceinte tout autour, selon l’ordre des positions du périmètre. Et il doit disposer (les divinités) en commençant par Indra et en finissant par Īśāna, suivant l’ordre de leurs sièges (viṣṭara).
Lord Agni (in instruction to the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Puja-vidhi","practical_application":"Mandala/paridhi marking and dikpāla-sthāpana using dūrvā and akṣata in correct perimeter and seat order (Indra to Īśāna) for directional protection and completeness of the ritual field.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Paridhi-paryanta-pūjana with Dūrvā–Akṣata and Dikpāla-krama (Indra to Īśāna)","lookup_keywords":["dūrvā","akṣata","dikpāla","Indra","Īśāna"],"quick_summary":"Mark/worship the boundary all around with dūrvā and unbroken rice, then install the directional deities in their prescribed seat sequence from Indra through Īśāna to secure the mandala."}
Concept: Cosmic order is replicated through mandala-krama: perimeter sanctification and dikpāla installation create a protected microcosm.
Application: Use simple auspicious substances (dūrvā, akṣata) with correct dik-krama to stabilize attention, ensure completeness, and avert directional doṣa.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Mandala/Nyasa and Deva-sthāpana)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritual mandala with a perimeter ring being dotted with dūrvā and akṣata; around it, eight/nine directional seats labeled, with Indra placed first and Īśāna last in sequence.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, circular mandala with green dūrvā and white akṣata accents, stylized dikpālas at cardinal/intercardinal points, clear seat order, sacred geometry emphasized","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-outlined mandala perimeter, akṣata rendered as pearl-like dots, dikpālas in ornate attire around the ring, rich reds and greens","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional diagram aesthetic: perimeter positions numbered, dūrvā/akṣata placement shown stepwise, dikpāla seats from Indra to Īśāna clearly indicated","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, top-view ritual layout with attendants placing dūrvā and rice grains, small labeled thrones for dikpālas around the mandala, delicate detailing"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyan","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: दूर्वाक्षतैश् → दूर्वा-अक्षतैः; परिधिस्थाननुक्रमात् → परिधि-स्थान-अनुक्रमात्; इन्द्रादीशानपर्यन्तान्तान् → इन्द्र-आदि-ईशान-पर्यन्त-अन्तान्; अन्तान्विष्टर... → अन्तान् + विष्टार-स्थान-अनुक्रमात्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 75 (Maṇḍala/nyāsa and devatā-sthāpana sequences)
FAQs
It teaches āvaraṇa/mandala procedure: marking or worshipping the perimeter with dūrvā and akṣata, and installing the directional deities (starting from Indra) in their prescribed seat-order up to Īśāna.
It preserves a precise, technical ritual protocol—directional sequencing, perimeter stations, and seat-placement logic—showing the Purana’s coverage of practical liturgy and temple/mandala procedure alongside theology.
Correct directional placement and pure offerings (dūrvā, akṣata) are held to stabilize the ritual field, remove obstacles, and ensure the rite yields auspicious, merit-producing results through orderly deity-invocation.