Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 46
वागीश्वरीपूजा
The Worship of Vāgīśvarī
पञ्चविंशतिकं पद्मं ततः पीठमपीठकम् द्वयं द्वयं रक्षयित्वा उपशोभास् तथाष्ट च
pañcaviṃśatikaṃ padmaṃ tataḥ pīṭhamapīṭhakam dvayaṃ dvayaṃ rakṣayitvā upaśobhās tathāṣṭa ca
પંચવીસ પાંખડીઓવાળું પદ્મ દોરવું; પછી પીઠ અને અપીઠક તત્ત્વ સ્થાપવા. દરેક જોડીને યથાસ્થાને સુરક્ષિત રાખીને, આઠ ઉપશોભાઓ પણ વિધિપૂર્વક ગોઠવવી.
Lord Agni (in instruction to sage Vasiṣṭha, Agni Purana’s standard dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Vastu","practical_application":"Ritual-geometry layout for drawing a 25-part lotus (padma) and placing pīṭha/apīṭha elements with eight subsidiary ornaments in pūjā-maṇḍala construction.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Pañcaviṃśati-padma with Pīṭha–Apīṭha and Upaśobhā (8)","lookup_keywords":["pañcaviṃśati padma","pīṭha apīṭha","upaśobhā aṣṭa","maṇḍala-rachana","pūjā-vidhi"],"quick_summary":"Construct a 25-fold lotus diagram, then install paired pedestal/non-pedestal components in their correct positions, and complete the layout with eight subsidiary decorative/functional elements."}
Concept: Ritual efficacy depends on correct spatial order (nyāsa through geometry) and completion of the maṇḍala with requisite auxiliaries.
Application: Use a measured grid/compass-string method to keep the 25 divisions symmetric; place paired components consistently across axes; add the eight upaśobhā only after the core seat is stabilized.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Mandala-rachana (Yantra–Padma–Pitha arrangement in ritual/temple-worship procedure)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritual practitioner draws a symmetric 25-petalled lotus maṇḍala on a clean floor/altar, then marks paired pīṭha/apīṭha seats and adds eight subsidiary ornaments around the central seat.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, priest drawing a 25-petalled lotus mandala with natural pigments, clear concentric geometry, sacred altar setting, minimal background, traditional ornamented borders","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-leaf highlights on the central pīṭha and lotus petals, rich reds and greens, ritual implements (kalaśa, dīpa), symmetrical mandala composition","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, fine linework showing the 25 divisions, labeled paired pīṭha/apīṭha placements, instructional clarity, soft pastel palette, calm ritual interior","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, top-down view of a mandala being drawn with compass and colored powders, attendants holding ritual trays, precise geometric detailing, delicate architectural frame"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: pīṭhamapīṭhakam → pīṭham a-pīṭhakam; rakṣayitvā upaśobhāḥ kept separate (no sandhi).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 319 (Maṇḍala-nirūpaṇa); Agni Purana 320 (Śānti-kalpa context for diagram use)
FAQs
It teaches the technical sequence for arranging a ritual lotus-diagram (25-fold padma), followed by positioning pīṭha/apīṭhaka components and adding eight auxiliary decorative members (upaśobhā) in an ordered, paired placement.
Beyond mythology, it preserves applied ritual-technology: mandala geometry, installation order, and named structural/ornamental components used in pūjā and temple/yantra layouts—showing the text’s coverage of practical liturgical design.
Correctly ordered mandala and pedestal arrangement is treated as preserving ritual purity and efficacy; maintaining the paired components and completing the eight upaśobhā supports a stable, auspicious seat for worship and strengthens the intended merit (puṇya) of the rite.