Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 6
Agnisthāpana-vidhi (Procedure for Establishing the Sacred Fire) and Protective Īśāna-kalpa Homa Sequences
वज्रीकरणमन्त्रेण हृदा दर्भैश् चतुष्पथं अक्षपात्रन्ततनुत्रेण विन्यसेद्विष्टरं हृदा
vajrīkaraṇamantreṇa hṛdā darbhaiś catuṣpathaṃ akṣapātrantatanutreṇa vinyasedviṣṭaraṃ hṛdā
Avec le mantra Vajrīkaraṇa (adamantin/protecteur) et le mantra du cœur (hṛdā), on doit disposer une figure à quatre voies (en croix) au moyen de l’herbe darbha ; puis, avec le mantra Tatanutra (enveloppe protectrice), placer le vase akṣa ; ensuite, avec le mantra du cœur, établir le siège rituel (viṣṭara).
Lord Agni (in instruction to the sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Mantra-empowered altar layout: forming a four-way darbha arrangement, placing the akṣa-vessel, and establishing the seat (viṣṭara) with specific mantras.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Catuṣpatha Darbha-Vinyāsa with Vajrīkaraṇa and Tatanutra Mantras","lookup_keywords":["vajrīkaraṇa-mantra","catuṣpatha","darbha-vinyāsa","tatanutra","akṣapātra"],"quick_summary":"Use Vajrīkaraṇa and hṛd-mantra to lay a cross-shaped darbha arrangement; place the akṣa-vessel with Tatanutra, then set the ritual seat with the hṛd-mantra."}
Concept: Mantra and placement (vinyāsa) jointly ‘armor’ the ritual field and instruments.
Application: Follow exact sequencing of mantras with physical placements to stabilize attention and ensure ritual efficacy.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Ritual Procedure / Tantric-Nyasa and Altar Arrangement)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A cross-shaped (four-way) darbha layout is arranged on the ritual floor; an akṣa-vessel is placed at a designated point; the viṣṭara (seat) is set with mantra-focused gestures.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, top-down ritual diagram feel: four-way darbha cross, priest placing a small vessel, subtle mantra glyphs around, warm temple interior tones, stylized borders.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, richly ornamented ritual seat and vessel, gold highlights on the viṣṭara and mantra aura, symmetrical cross-shaped darbha arrangement emphasized.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, didactic layout: clearly drawn catuṣpatha darbha cross with labeled directions, priest’s hands in placement sequence, soft colors and fine lines.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, meticulous depiction of darbha strands forming a cross, small vessel with reflective highlights, attendant holding ritual items, architectural niche background."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: वज्रीकरणमन्त्रेण = वज्रीकरण + मन्त्रेण; दर्भैश् चतुष्पथम् = दर्भैः + चतुष्पथम्; अक्षपात्रन्ततनुत्रेण = अक्षपात्रम् + ततनुत्रेण; विन्यसेद्विष्टरम् = विन्यसेत् + विष्टरम्।
Related Themes: Agni Purana Puja-vidhi: sections on hṛd-mantra usage, vinyāsa, and mudrā/yantra-like layouts
FAQs
It gives a precise nyāsa/vinyāsa procedure: arranging darbha in a four-directional cross, placing the designated ritual vessel (akṣa-pātra) with a protective mantra (tatanutra), and establishing the ritual seat (viṣṭara) using the heart-mantra.
Beyond theology, it preserves step-by-step liturgical technology—mantra-specific placements, altar/seat layout, and protective rites—showing the Agni Purana as a practical manual for ritual performance alongside its broader teachings.
The protective (vajrīkaraṇa/tatanutra) and heart-mantra placements are meant to sanctify the ritual space, guard the worship from obstacles, and ensure purity and efficacy (siddhi) of the rite, thereby supporting merit (puṇya) and successful completion.