Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 74
Chapter 81 — समयदीक्षाविधानम्
Procedure for Samaya Initiation
सर्वज्ञतादियुक्तो ऽहं समन्ताच्चोपरि स्थितः ममांशो योजनास्थानमधिष्ठाहमध्वरे
sarvajñatādiyukto 'haṃ samantāccopari sthitaḥ mamāṃśo yojanāsthānamadhiṣṭhāhamadhvare
Doué d’omniscience et de qualités semblables, je demeure au-dessus et tout autour. Dans le sacrifice (adhvara), une part de moi préside aux stations mesurées et assignées (yojanā-sthāna).
Lord Agni (narrating the Agni Purana’s instruction to a sage, traditionally Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Cosmology","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Contemplate divine omnipresence in yajña: the deity pervades above and around, while a functional ‘portion’ presides over measured ritual stations, supporting precise altar/mandala placement and deity-invocation.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Divine Omnipresence and Presiding Amsa in Yajna Stations","lookup_keywords":["sarvajnatva","adhvara","amsa","yojana-sthana","yajna-cosmology"],"quick_summary":"The deity declares omniscient, all-surrounding presence, yet also a specific presiding portion in the sacrifice. Ritual space is thus both cosmic and precisely zoned by measured stations."}
Concept: Pervasive divinity can be ritually ‘localized’ as an amśa for functional governance of sacred space without denying omnipresence.
Application: When laying out yajña/mandala stations, maintain the view that measurements are not merely technical but are seats of presiding divine function.
Khanda Section: Agneya-vidya (Ritual Cosmology and Divine Presence in Yajña)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: Ritual-space
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A sacrificial arena mapped with measured stations; above and around, a vast luminous deity-form pervades the sky, while a focused ray/portion descends to preside over specific marked points of the adhvara.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, wide yajña-vedi with clearly marked stations, priests and offerings stylized, a large all-encompassing divine aura surrounding the scene, a distinct beam indicating the presiding amśa at the central station, traditional borders and motifs","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, ornate yajña pavilion with gold-highlighted station markers, cosmic deity aura encircling the composition, central presiding amśa shown as a smaller enthroned divine presence, heavy gold work and rich reds","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, diagrammatic clarity: labeled stations on the adhvara, subtle divine presence above, emphasis on measurement and placement, clean lines and didactic layout","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly depiction of a yajña in a garden pavilion, precise geometric station layout, ethereal omnipresent figure suggested by cloud-like aureole, a concentrated light at the presiding point"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shuddha Sarang","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: युक्तो ऽहम् = युक्तः + अहम्; समन्ताच्चोपरि = समन्तात् + च + उपरि; ममांशो = मम + अंशः; योजनास्थानम् = योजना + स्थानम्; अधिष्ठाहमध्वरे = अधिष्ठाय + अहम् + अध्वरे.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 81 (Agneya-vidya: yajna space, divine presence)
FAQs
It teaches that the sacrifice (adhvara) is regulated by divinely appointed “stations” (yojanā-sthāna) and that Agni’s emanatory portion presides over the ritual’s ordered placements and measurements.
It blends theology (Agni’s omniscience and all-pervasion) with ritual-technical language (measured stations and presiding agency), exemplifying how the Agni Purana integrates metaphysics with practical yajña-vidhi.
By viewing the yajña as overseen by a divine presence, the practitioner’s ritual becomes sanctified as properly ordered worship, supporting purity of intention and the accrual of religious merit through correct performance.