Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 62
Agnisthāpana-vidhi (Procedure for Establishing the Sacred Fire) and Protective Īśāna-kalpa Homa Sequences
उत्तरे हाञ्च यक्षेभ्य ईशाने हां ग्रहेभ्य उ अग्नौ हामसुरेभ्यश् च रक्षोभ्यो नैरृते बलिः
uttare hāñca yakṣebhya īśāne hāṃ grahebhya u agnau hāmasurebhyaś ca rakṣobhyo nairṛte baliḥ
Au nord, on doit offrir le bali en prononçant « hāñ » pour les Yakṣa ; au nord-est (Īśāna), avec « hāṃ » pour les Graha ; dans la direction d’Agni (sud-est), avec « hām » pour les Asura ; et au sud-ouest (Nairṛta), le bali revient aux Rākṣasa.
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purana frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Directional bali for yakṣa, graha, asura, and rākṣasa classes using distinct nasalized bīja-variants (hāñ/hāṃ/hām) to pacify and secure the ritual perimeter.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Dik-bali Mapping: Yakṣa, Graha, Asura, Rākṣasa","lookup_keywords":["yakṣa-bali","graha-śānti","asura-bali","rākṣasa-bali","nairṛta"],"quick_summary":"Offer bali in specified quarters: north to Yakṣas (hāñ), north-east to Grahas (hāṃ), Agneya to Asuras (hām), and south-west to Rākṣasas, as a protective śānti measure."}
Concept: Ritual ecology: visible rite acknowledges invisible agencies (graha/bhūta classes) through regulated offerings rather than conflict.
Application: Applied as graha-śānti and bhūta-śānti adjunct to homa/puja, especially when omens, disturbances, or fear of obstruction are present.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Bali-vidhana / Dikpala-bali and Bhuta-graha-shanti)
Primary Rasa: bhaya
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: Sacred-direction (dik)
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A compass-like ritual layout around the kuṇḍa: offerings placed to the north (Yakṣas), north-east (Grahas), south-east (Asuras), and south-west (Rākṣasas), with the priest uttering distinct bīja sounds.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: circular mandala with four highlighted quarters; symbolic yakṣa, graha (planetary icons), asura, rākṣasa figures at edges; priest placing leaf-bowl offerings; dramatic protective mood.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: ornate compass mandala with gold; small planetary emblems at Īśāna; fierce guardian figures at Nairṛta; priest offering at Agneya; rich reds with gold relief.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: instructional diagram showing quarters labeled Uttara/Īśāna/Agneya/Nairṛta and corresponding recipients; priest chanting ‘hāñ/hāṃ/hām’; clean, didactic composition.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: top-down courtyard scene with precise geometry; attendants place offerings at four corners; subtle allegorical figures for yakṣa/asura/rākṣasa; refined palette."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: हाञ्च → हां + च (अनुस्वार/नासिक्य-लेखनभेद); यक्षेभ्य → यक्षेभ्यः (पदान्त-विसर्गलोपः छन्दसि/लिप्यां); ग्रहेभ्य उ → ग्रहेभ्यः + उ; हामसुरेभ्यश् च → हां + असुरेभ्यः + च; असुरेभ्यश् → असुरेभ्यः (विसर्गसन्धि).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 75 (bali and śānti context)
FAQs
It prescribes a directional bali-offering scheme, assigning specific beings (Yakṣas, Grahas, Asuras, Rākṣasas) to specific quarters and pairing each offering with a distinct mantra-syllable (hāñ, hāṃ, hām) for appeasement and protection.
It exemplifies the Purana’s practical ritual manual aspect: not only theology, but operational details—directional mapping, categories of beings, and mantra-phonemes—used in household and temple protection rites and graha/bhūta pacification.
By offering bali to potentially obstructive forces in their proper directions with appropriate mantra-sounds, the practitioner seeks śānti (pacification), removal of impediments, and ritual purity, converting fear of unseen harms into regulated dharmic worship.