Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 6
Chapter 93 — वास्तुपूजादिविधानम्
Procedure for Vāstu-worship and Related Rites
षट्पदास्तु मरीच्याद्या दिक्षु पूर्वादिषु क्रमात् मध्ये चतुष्पदो ब्रह्मा शेषास्तु पदिकाः स्मृताः
ṣaṭpadāstu marīcyādyā dikṣu pūrvādiṣu kramāt madhye catuṣpado brahmā śeṣāstu padikāḥ smṛtāḥ
Marīci et les autres reçoivent les positions à six parts dans les directions, selon l’ordre commençant par l’est ; au centre se tient Brahmā dans la position à quatre parts ; les autres sont tenus pour occuper les positions subsidiaires (de quart).
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s standard discourse frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Cosmology","secondary_vidya":"Vastu","practical_application":"Using cosmographic assignment of sages/deities to directional ‘padas’ and Brahmā at the center to structure mandalas, vāstu-puruṣa grids, and ritual visualizations.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Lokavinyāsa: directional padas for Marīci etc., Brahmā in the center","lookup_keywords":["Marici","pada-vinyasa","Brahma-center","dik-vyavastha","lokavinyasa"],"quick_summary":"Assign specific beings to directional positions in a graded grid: Marīci and others occupy six-fold directional slots from the east onward, Brahmā holds the central four-fold slot, and remaining entities fill subsidiary quarter-positions."}
Concept: Ordered cosmos: beings are situated by function and locus (center, directions, subsidiary quarters), reflecting a knowable structure to reality.
Application: Apply the center/direction hierarchy when drawing mandalas, planning sacred space, or performing directional invocations.
Khanda Section: Cosmography & Sacred Geography (Lokavinyāsa / Dik-devatā-vyavasthā)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A square or circular cosmographic grid: Brahmā seated in the center; Marīci and other sages placed in ordered directional compartments; smaller subsidiary padas filled around.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, mandala with central Brahmā on lotus, surrounding compartments with ṛṣis in seated poses, strong symmetry, decorative borders, earthy reds and greens","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central Brahmā with gold halo and lotus throne, surrounding directional panels with sages, gold-leaf grid lines, ornate corner flourishes","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, schematic yet elegant mandala chart with labeled padas, central Brahmā emphasized, soft colors, instructional clarity","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, plan-view cosmographic diagram with central enthroned Brahmā, sages in cartouches around, fine inscriptions, architectural frame like a manuscript folio"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: षट्पदास्तु = षट्पदाः + तु; शेषास्तु = शेषाः + तु.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 93 (dik-devata and mandala assignments)
FAQs
It gives a rule of spatial allocation: specific sages/deities (beginning with Marīci) are placed in ordered directional slots, Brahmā is fixed at the central slot, and others take subsidiary quarter-positions—useful for mandala-style layouts in ritual or vastu planning.
It preserves a technical mapping of beings onto space (directions and center), reflecting the Purana’s catalog-like treatment of cosmography, ritual architecture (mandala/vinyāsa), and systematic classifications alongside other sciences.
Correct directional and central placement aligns a rite or sacred space with cosmic order (ṛta), supporting ritual efficacy, harmony, and the intended merit (puṇya) from properly structured worship or consecration.