Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 5
Agnisthāpana-vidhi (Procedure for Establishing the Sacred Fire) and Protective Īśāna-kalpa Homa Sequences
रेखात्रयमुदक् कुर्यादेकां पूर्वाननामधः कुशेन च शिवास्त्रेण यद्वा तासां विपर्ययः
rekhātrayamudak kuryādekāṃ pūrvānanāmadhaḥ kuśena ca śivāstreṇa yadvā tāsāṃ viparyayaḥ
On doit tracer trois lignes avec de l’eau ; l’une d’elles doit être placée en bas, tournée vers l’est. Cela se fait avec l’herbe kuśa et en employant le Śiva-astra (l’arme/mantra de Śiva) ; ou bien l’on peut en inverser l’ordre.
Lord Agni (instructing sage Vasiṣṭha in ritual procedure)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Ritual protection and boundary-marking (raksha/rekha) for a puja or homa space using water-lines empowered by mantra-astra.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Rekhā-traya (Three Protective Water-Lines) with Śivāstra","lookup_keywords":["rekhātraya","udaka-rekhā","kuśa","śivāstra","rakṣā-vidhi"],"quick_summary":"Mark three protective lines with water using kuśa, empowering them with the Śiva-astra; orient one line below facing east, with an allowed reversal of order as an alternative."}
Weapon Type: Astra (mantric missile)
Concept: Ritual space is sacralized through ordered boundaries empowered by mantra-astra.
Application: Before worship/homa, establish a protected perimeter to prevent ritual obstacles (vighna) and maintain śuddhi.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Ritual procedure; protective lines and mantra-astric rites)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritualist draws three water-lines on the ground with a kuśa tip, orienting one line to the east, while mentally deploying the Śiva-astra as a protective force around the altar space.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, priest in white dhoti drawing three sacred water-lines with kuśa on a ritual floor, subtle fiery aura of Śiva-astra encircling the maṇḍala, earthy reds and ochres, stylized lotus borders.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central altar space with three shimmering water-lines, priest holding kuśa, gold-leaf halo suggesting Śiva-astra protection, ornate floral frame, rich jewel tones.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional composition showing three parallel/ordered lines and east-direction marker, priest’s hand with kuśa, clean diagrammatic clarity with soft pastel shading.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed courtyard ritual scene, fine brushwork showing water-lines on ground, kuśa in hand, calligraphic hint of mantra, subdued palette with precise geometry."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: कुर्यादेकाम् = कुर्यात् + एकाम्; पूर्वाननामधः = पूर्वाननाम् + अधः; यद्वा = यत्/यद् + वा (निपातसमासवत्); उदक् दिशावाचक-विशेषणरूपेण।
Related Themes: Agni Purana Puja-vidhi sections on rakṣā, nyāsa, mudrā, and astras (same khanda context)
FAQs
It teaches rekhā-bandhana: drawing three protective lines using water and kuśa, empowered through the Śiva-astra (a mantra-weapon) with an east-facing orientation, with an allowed alternate (reversed) arrangement.
Beyond myth, it preserves operational ritual micro-protocols—directionality, materials (water, kuśa), and mantra-astra empowerment—showing the text’s compendium-like coverage of practical worship and protection rites.
Such marked lines function as a consecrated protective boundary; performed with correct material and mantra, it is understood to remove obstacles, purify the ritual space, and safeguard the practitioner’s rite from disruptive influences.