Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 38
Chapter 93 — वास्तुपूजादिविधानम्
Procedure for Vāstu-worship and Related Rites
ज्ञेयो वंशसहस्रैस्तु वास्तुमण्डलगः पदैः न्यासो नवगुणस्तत्र कर्तव्यो देशवास्तुवित्
jñeyo vaṃśasahasraistu vāstumaṇḍalagaḥ padaiḥ nyāso navaguṇastatra kartavyo deśavāstuvit
Le Vāstu-maṇḍala doit être compris —c’est-à-dire mesuré et tracé— selon ses padas (cases de la grille) au moyen de milliers de perches de mesure (vaṃśa). Dans cette disposition, on doit accomplir un nyāsa au neufuple ; cela doit être fait par celui qui connaît les principes du lieu (deśa) et de l’architecture sacrée (vāstu).
Lord Agni (instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s encyclopedic discourse)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Measuring and laying out the vāstu-maṇḍala using vaṃśa (measuring rods) at large scale, then performing a ninefold nyāsa over the grid by a trained vāstu expert aware of regional constraints.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Vāstu-maṇḍala Measurement by Vaṃśa and Navaguṇa Nyāsa","lookup_keywords":["vāstu-maṇḍala","vaṃśa measuring rod","pada grid","navaguṇa nyāsa","deśa-vāstu-vit"],"quick_summary":"Establish the vāstu-maṇḍala by precise rod-based measurement of its padas. After the grid is set, perform a ninefold nyāsa across it, undertaken by a practitioner skilled in both regional and architectural principles."}
Concept: Built space is sanctified through correct measure (māna) plus consecratory assignment (nyāsa); expertise (vit) is itself a dharmic requirement.
Application: Do not separate engineering from ritual: first ensure accurate grid measurement, then perform structured nyāsa (ninefold) to integrate function, auspiciousness, and sacred order.
Khanda Section: Vastu-shastra (Vastu-mandala, site-planning and architectural ritual)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A large construction site with a vāstu-maṇḍala grid marked on the ground; many bamboo measuring rods stacked/used; a master vāstu expert performs ninefold nyāsa at key nodes of the grid with water/flowers/mantra gestures.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: expansive ground grid with thick lines; multiple vaṃśa rods; chief sthapati performing nyāsa with ritual pot and flowers; assistants holding cords; temple-like border motifs.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: gold-accented grid lines and ritual implements; sthapati in central pose performing nyāsa; ornate kalasha and lamps; rich colors, auspicious symmetry.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: technical clarity—grid squares numbered, ninefold nyāsa points highlighted; calm instructional scene with tools; fine linework and restrained palette.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: detailed site-planning tableau with workers and survey instruments; precise grid on earth; master performing a small ritual at nine points; architectural drawings and measuring rods rendered with fine detail."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional-solemn","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: vaṃśasahasraistu → vaṃśa-sahasraiḥ tu; vāstumaṇḍalagaḥ → vāstu-maṇḍala-gaḥ; navaguṇastatra → nava-guṇaḥ tatra.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 93 (measurement tools and pada schemes); Agni Purana vāstu/śilpa sections on maṇḍala, nyāsa, and foundation rites
FAQs
It teaches Vāstu-vidyā: how to measure and establish the Vāstu-maṇḍala through padas (grid units) using standardized measuring rods (vaṃśa), and then perform a prescribed ninefold nyāsa (ritual placement/assignment) on that grid.
Alongside theology and ritual, the Agni Purana preserves applied sciences like architecture and site-planning—here combining technical measurement (pada/vaṃśa) with consecratory ritual (nyāsa), showing its coverage of both engineering method and sacred procedure.
By performing nyāsa correctly on a properly measured Vāstu-maṇḍala, the site is ritually ordered and sanctified, aligning construction with dharma and reducing inauspiciousness arising from improper layout.