Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 23
The Description of the Sarvatobhadra Maṇḍala (सर्वतोभद्रमण्डलकथनम्)
त्रिधा विभज्य च क्षेत्रमन्तर्द्वाभ्यामथाङ्कयेत् पञ्चान्तस्वरसिद्ध्यर्थं तेष्वस्फाल्य लिखेदरान् पूर्वसेवा दशांशेन मन्त्रादीनां प्रकीर्तिता परश् चर्ये तु मन्त्रे तु मासिकं व्रतमाचरेत्
tridhā vibhajya ca kṣetramantardvābhyāmathāṅkayet pañcāntasvarasiddhyarthaṃ teṣvasphālya likhedarān pūrvasevā daśāṃśena mantrādīnāṃ prakīrtitā paraś carye tu mantre tu māsikaṃ vratamācaret
क्षेत्र को तीन भागों में विभाजित करके, फिर भीतर की दो रेखाओं से उसे अंकित करे। पाँच अन्त्य-स्वरों की सिद्धि के लिए, भूमि को आघात किए बिना, उन विभागों पर अर (रेखाएँ/स्पोक) लिखे। मंत्र आदि की पूर्व-सेवा एक-दशांश (दसवाँ भाग) के रूप में कही गई है। और मंत्र के पुरश्चरण में मासिक व्रत का आचरण करे।
Lord Agni (instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Lay out the ritual kṣetra by tri-division and inner lines; inscribe spokes carefully; follow puraścaraṇa protocol with preliminary one-tenth service and a monthly vow to stabilize mantra-siddhi.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Kṣetra-trivibhāga, ara-lekhana, and puraścaraṇa with māsika-vrata","lookup_keywords":["kṣetra trivibhāga","antar-dvaya rekhā","ara-lekhana","pūrva-sevā daśāṃśa","puraścaraṇa māsika-vrata"],"quick_summary":"Divide the ritual ground into three, add two inner demarcations, and inscribe spokes without damaging the surface; perform preliminary service at one-tenth of the main mantra work, and observe a monthly vow as part of puraścaraṇa for stable results."}
Concept: Siddhi arises from saṃskāra: orderly kṣetra-vidhi plus regulated observance (vrata) and proportional preliminaries (daśāṃśa).
Application: Plan mantra practice with a staged workload (10% preparatory regimen) and a defined vrata-period; treat the ritual surface as sacred—no harsh striking or damage while drawing.
Khanda Section: Mantra-sadhana & Purascarana-vidhi (Tantric/Vaidika ritual procedure)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritual ground divided into three sections with two inner lines; a practitioner delicately inscribes spokes with a stylus, while a calendar-like marker indicates a month-long vow and a one-tenth preliminary regimen.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: floor-maṇḍala divided into three, two inner lines in white, sādhaka carefully drawing spokes with a thin stylus, minimalistic sacred setting with lamps, emphasis on calm discipline.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: sādhaka with japa-mālā and stylus, gold-highlighted lines of the maṇḍala divisions, a small panel showing a month vow (māsika) with symbolic moon cycle, rich ornamentation.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style instructional: clear geometric tri-division diagram, two inner lines, step-by-step ara-lekhana sequence, side notes for daśāṃśa pūrva-sevā and māsika-vrata, precise linework.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: scholar-practitioner drawing on a prepared floor with assistants holding straightedge cords, a manuscript open showing puraścaraṇa schedule, delicate architectural interior and patterned carpets."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Kalyan","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: kṣetramantardvābhyāmathāṅkayet→kṣetram antaḥ dvābhyām atha aṅkayet; teṣvasphālya→teṣu asphālya; likhedarān→likhet arān; pūrvasevā→pūrva-sevā; vratamācaret→vratam ācaret.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 29.22 (kṣetra and measures); Agni Purana 29.24 (conduct rules and siddhi gradation); Agni Purana puraścaraṇa-related passages in mantra sections (contextual)
FAQs
It teaches a procedural step in mantra-sādhana: dividing and marking the ritual ground, inscribing lines/spokes carefully, and observing the puraścaraṇa discipline—especially the rule that preliminary service is one-tenth and that a monthly vow supports mantra practice.
Beyond theology, it preserves precise operational details of ritual technology—layout of the kṣetra (ritual space), phonemic/akṣara-oriented practice, proportional rules (daśāṁśa), and time-bound observances—showing the text’s coverage of applied liturgy alongside doctrine.
By prescribing careful preparation (non-damaging inscription), proportional preliminary discipline, and a sustained vow, the verse frames mantra efficacy as arising from purity of method, restraint, and sustained tapas—supporting both merit (puṇya) and steadiness of mind for siddhi.