Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 23
Chapter 93 — वास्तुपूजादिविधानम्
Procedure for Vāstu-worship and Related Rites
तदधो रुद्रदासाय मासं मार्गमथोत्तरे ददीत माषनैवेद्यं षट्पदस्थे धराधरे
tadadho rudradāsāya māsaṃ mārgamathottare dadīta māṣanaivedyaṃ ṣaṭpadasthe dharādhare
Au-dessous de cela, pendant un mois, on doit accomplir la série prescrite d’offrandes pour le serviteur de Rudra ; puis, dans la direction du nord, on doit présenter une offrande de nourriture de māṣa (haricot noir) à l’emplacement marqué de six pas, sur le sol porteur (site de l’autel).
Lord Agni (traditionally instructing sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vrata","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Time-bound observance: sustained offering regimen for Rudra’s attendant over a month, then a northern offering of māṣa-naivedya at a marked ‘six-step’ station on the altar ground.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Monthly offering regimen for Rudra-dāsa and māṣa-naivedya at Ṣaṭpada-sthāna","lookup_keywords":["Rudra-dāsa","māsa (one month) offering","māṣa naivedya","uttara (north)","ṣaṭpada-stha"],"quick_summary":"Maintain a month-long prescribed offering course for Rudra’s servant; afterward offer black-gram naivedya in the north at the designated six-step marker on the altar base."}
Concept: Niṣṭhā (steadfast continuity) in observance: efficacy is linked to duration (māsa) and exact placement (sthāna).
Application: Plan a 30-day schedule; keep offerings consistent; after completion, perform the northern māṣa-naivedya at the pre-marked six-step point.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Rudra/Shiva-related offering rites)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritual ground with a marked ‘six-step’ sign on the altar base; the priest maintains a month-long offering routine for Rudra’s attendant, then places a bowl of cooked black gram in the northern sector.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, sequential narrative panels: daily offerings over a lunar month, Rudra-gaṇa attendant indicated subtly, final scene shows black gram naivedya placed at a six-footprint marker in the north, earthy temple-floor tones","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-highlighted Rudra emblem and offering vessels, calendar-like month motif, final northern placement emphasized with ornate border and shining bowl of māṣa","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional sequence: month-long regimen shown as repeated steps, then arrow to 'uttara' with ṣaṭpada marker on altar ground, clear depiction of māṣa-naivedya","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, time-lapse feel with repeated attendants across days, final composition shows priest at north side of mandala placing black gram offering near a small six-footprint glyph, delicate architectural background"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तदधो → तत्-अधः; मार्गमथोत्तरे → मार्गम् अथ उत्तरे; षट्पदस्थे → षट्पद-स्थे; धराधरे → धर-अधरे.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 93 (Rudra-related offerings; continuation of dik/koṣṭhaka placements)
FAQs
It prescribes a month-long Rudra-related giving/observance, specifying directionality (north) and a particular naivedya (māṣa/black gram) to be offered at a measured ritual spot (“six steps”).
It exemplifies the text’s practical ritual manual style—combining dāna (charitable giving), vrata-like timing (one month), spatial rules (north), and material specifics (black gram naivedya) in a compact procedural instruction.
Such directed offerings and gifts to Rudra-associated recipients are presented as purificatory acts that accrue merit (puṇya) through disciplined observance, correct materials, and proper ritual placement.