Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 9
Chapter 94 — शिलाविन्यासविधानम्
The Procedure for Laying the Foundation Stones
बलिन्दत्त्वा जपेदस्त्रं विघ्नदोषनिवारणं शिलापञ्चकपक्षे ऽपि मनागुद्दिश्यते यथा
balindattvā japedastraṃ vighnadoṣanivāraṇaṃ śilāpañcakapakṣe 'pi manāguddiśyate yathā
Après avoir offert un bali (oblation rituelle), on doit réciter l’Astra-mantra, qui écarte obstacles et défauts; même durant la période dite « quinzaine des cinq pierres », il peut être prescrit selon la manière convenable, avec la précision requise (fût-elle minimale).
Lord Agni (in dialogue, typically instructing sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Vighna-nivāraṇa: offering bali then reciting an astra-mantra to remove ritual obstacles/defects, including during inauspicious/constraint periods (e.g., śilā-pañcaka-pakṣa) with proper minimal specification.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Bali + Astra-japa for Vighna-doṣa-nivāraṇa (including Śilā-pañcaka-pakṣa)","lookup_keywords":["bali","astra-mantra","vighna-nivarana","dosha","shila-panchaka-paksha"],"quick_summary":"After bali, recite the astra-mantra to neutralize obstacles and ritual faults; the rite may be applied even in restricted periods when done in the prescribed manner."}
Weapon Type: Astra (mantra-weapon; protective discharge)
Concept: Ritual obstacles (vighna) are countered through offering (bali) and mantra-śakti (astra-japa), showing primacy of disciplined procedure over omens.
Application: When facing interruptions, defects, or inauspicious timing, perform bali and astra-japa as a standardized corrective measure.
Khanda Section: Agneya-vidyā (Mantra–Astra Prayoga; Vighna-nivāraṇa rites)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritualist offers bali at the edge of a maṇḍala, then recites an astra-mantra, projecting a protective ring of fire/light around the worship space; calendar/fortnight symbolism hinted as stone markers (śilā-pañcaka).","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, bold reds and greens; priest near a maṇḍala offering bali; fiery circular aura (astra) expanding; five stone icons along the border indicating śilā-pañcaka; guardian motifs at the corners.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style with gold; bali plate in foreground, priest chanting; golden flame-ring encircling the shrine; embossed five-stone motif on the frame; rich temple ornaments.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional layout: step 1 bali offering, step 2 astra-japa; diagrammatic five stones marking the special pakṣa; subtle protective aura around the mandala.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly precision; a ritual specialist in a pavilion performing bali; translucent flame circle around the ritual ground; marginalia showing five stones and a lunar fortnight chart."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: बलिन्दत्त्वा = बलिम् + दत्त्वा; जपेदस्त्रं = जपेत् + अस्त्रम्; पक्षे ऽपि = पक्षे + अपि; मनागुद्दिश्यते = मनाक् + उद्दिश्यते.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 94 (Agneya-vidyā: mantra–astra prayoga; vighna-nivāraṇa)
FAQs
It prescribes a practical vighna-nivāraṇa method: first offer a bali-oblation, then perform japa of an Astra-mantra specifically intended to ward off obstacles (vighna) and ritual/auspiciousness defects (doṣa).
Beyond mythic narration, the Agni Purana functions as a manual of applied religious technology—here, giving procedural guidance for protective rites (bali + mantra-japa) and noting calendrical/period-based considerations (pakṣa), typical of its compendium style.
By combining bali (appeasement/propitiation) with Astra-mantra japa (protective spiritual force), the act is framed as purification and protection—reducing inauspicious influences and restoring ritual correctness and inner steadiness.