Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 5
Chapter 94 — शिलाविन्यासविधानम्
The Procedure for Laying the Foundation Stones
लोकपालाणुभिर्न्यस्य श्वभ्रेषु न्यस्तशक्तिषु ब्रह्माद्या इति ग मध्ये श्वभ्र इति घ कुम्भञ्चानन्तमन्तिकमिति घ , छ च कुम्भञ्चानन्तमन्तिममिति ङ लोकपालात्मभिर्न्यस्येदिति ख , छ च लोकपालाणुभिर्न्यस्येदिति ङ सूत्रेष्विति क कुम्भेष्विति ग शिलास्तेष्वथ नन्दाद्याः क्रमेण विनियोजयेत्
lokapālāṇubhirnyasya śvabhreṣu nyastaśaktiṣu brahmādyā iti ga madhye śvabhra iti gha kumbhañcānantamantikamiti gha , cha ca kumbhañcānantamantimamiti ṅa lokapālātmabhirnyasyediti kha , cha ca lokapālāṇubhirnyasyediti ṅa sūtreṣviti ka kumbheṣviti ga śilāsteṣvatha nandādyāḥ krameṇa viniyojayet
Après avoir accompli le nyāsa avec les portions subtiles (aṇu-bhāga) des Lokapālas (gardiens des directions), on doit placer les Śaktis dans les fosses préparées (śvabhra). (Selon certaines recensions, «Brahmā et les autres» doivent être placés ; selon une autre, «la fosse est au centre».) On doit aussi assigner Ananta près du kumbha (vase rituel) (variante : «à la fin/au dernier emplacement»). (D’autres leçons prescrivent le nyāsa «avec les propres soi (ātman) des Lokapālas» ou de nouveau «avec leurs portions subtiles».) (Certaines indiquent : «sur la corde (sūtra)» ; d’autres : «dans les kumbhas».) Ensuite, sur ces pierres, qu’on dispose Nandā et les autres, selon l’ordre prescrit.
Lord Agni (in the Agni Purana’s instruction to sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Vastu","practical_application":"Nyāsa protocol for lokapālas and śaktis into pits/pots/cord-lines during foundation rites; placement of Ananta and a sequence of attendant goddesses (Nandā etc.) on foundation stones.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Lokapāla-nyāsa Variants: Śvabhra, Sūtra/Kumbha Placement; Ananta and Nandā Sequence","lookup_keywords":["lokapāla-nyāsa","śvabhra","aṇu-bhāga","Ananta","Nandā"],"quick_summary":"Perform nyāsa of lokapālas (by subtle portions or by their very selves per variant) and install śaktis in prepared pits; place Ananta near/at the end by the kumbha, then assign Nandā and related deities upon the foundation stones in order."}
Concept: Microcosmization: cosmic guardians and powers are installed into measured loci so the building becomes a consecrated body.
Application: Choose a consistent recension/ācārya-tradition for nyāsa loci (pits vs pots vs cord-lines) and execute placements in strict order to avoid ritual ‘gaps’.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Yantra–Mandala–Nyasa (Ritual placement of deities and powers)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A complex consecration layout: multiple pits around a foundation grid, cords stretched, pots placed; priests performing nyāsa gestures to directions; Ananta marked near the main kumbha; foundation stones each labeled with Nandā and other śaktis in sequence.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, layered mandala with pits (dark squares) and cords (white lines), priests with mudrās invoking lokapālas, Ananta serpent emblem beside a decorated kumbha, sequential goddess symbols on stones, dense but orderly sacred geometry.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, central kumbha and Ananta highlighted in gold, lokapāla emblems at eight directions with gold halos, stones in a row each with small goddess icon, rich ornamentation emphasizing sanctity and protection.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore, instructional diagram aesthetic: pits, cords, pots clearly differentiated; captions for ‘śvabhra’, ‘sūtra’, ‘kumbha’; priest performing nyāsa; Ananta placement indicated; Nandā-series shown as ordered icons on stones.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, architectural plan-like courtyard with attendants at each pit, fine calligraphy for lokapāla names, Ananta near the main vessel, meticulous depiction of cords and stones, subdued palette with precise detail."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"ritualistic","suggested_raga":"Shree","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: लोकपालाणुभिर्न्यस्य = लोकपाल-अणुभिः न्यस्य; न्यस्तशक्तिषु = न्यस्त-शक्तिषु; शिलास्तेष्वथ = शिलाः तेषु अथ. Verse contains multiple पाठभेद-सूचक markers (क/ख/ग/घ/ङ/छ) and quoted variant readings; these are treated as indeclinable manuscript markers.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 94 (nyāsa, mandala, dikpāla arrangements; foundation ritual variants)
FAQs
It teaches a mandala/altar-layout nyāsa: placing the Lokapālas’ portions (or essences) and installing Śaktis into ritual pits, assigning Ananta relative to the kumbha, and arranging Nandā and related powers on designated stones, with manuscript variants indicating alternative loci (cord vs pots).
It preserves highly technical ritual engineering—how to map deities, powers, and guardians onto physical ritual components (pits, pots, cords, stones)—showing the Agni Purana functioning as a practical manual alongside its mythic and doctrinal content.
Correct viniyoga and nyāsa are treated as ensuring ritual efficacy—harmonizing space with the directional guardians and śaktis—thereby supporting purification, protection, and the intended fruition (siddhi) of the rite.