Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 25
Chapter 41 — शिलाविन्यासविधानं
The Procedure for Laying the Stones / Foundation Setting
जये सुरुचिरे नन्दे वासिष्ठे रम्यतामिह प्रजापतिसुते देवि चतुरस्रे महीयसि
jaye surucire nande vāsiṣṭhe ramyatāmiha prajāpatisute devi caturasre mahīyasi
हे विजया, हे सुशोभिते, हे नन्दा, हे वासिष्ठी—यहाँ प्रसन्न होकर विराजो। हे प्रजापति-पुत्री देवी, हे चतुरस्रा, हे महती व पूज्या, कृपा करो।
Lord Agni (as narrator of ritual/vidhi material in Agni Purana)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Devi-invocation within mandala-nyasa during puja to invite the goddess to be present and pleased in the ritual space.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Mantra","entry_title":"Devi-stuti for Mandala-nyasa (Jaya–Nanda–Vasishthi)","lookup_keywords":["mandala-nyasa","devi-stuti","Jaya","Nanda","Vasishthi"],"quick_summary":"A consecratory praise-invocation calling the Goddess by epithets and requesting her gracious presence in the four-cornered mandala/ritual seat."}
Alamkara Type: Anuprasa
Concept: Devata-sannidhana through nama-grahaṇa and stuti within a defined sacred geometry (mandala).
Application: Use epithets and spatially-defined nyasa to stabilize attention and invite the deity’s presence before offerings.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Devi-stuti / Mandala-nyasa and ritual invocation)
Primary Rasa: Shanta
Secondary Rasa: Adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A square mandala on the ground with ritual lines, flowers, lamps, and a priest invoking the Goddess with epithets; the Devi is envisioned as descending into the mandala-seat.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, square mandala with lotus motifs, Devi’s subtle presence above the mandala, priest in traditional attire performing nyasa, oil lamps, rich reds and ochres, sacred geometry emphasized","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central square mandala as throne, Devi as radiant presence with halo, heavy gold leaf accents on borders and ornaments, garlands and lamps, devotional symmetry","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clean linework showing mandala-nyasa steps, priest touching points of the square, minimal background, soft pastel palette, instructional clarity","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, indoor ritual scene with patterned floor square mandala, attendants holding lamps and flowers, delicate detailing, calligraphic border, subdued jewel tones"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ramyatāmiha → ramyatām iha (final -m before vowel); prajāpatisute is a ṣaṣṭhī-tatpuruṣa compound (prajāpateḥ sutā).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 41 (Puja-vidhi: nyasa, devata-avahana, stuti)
FAQs
It functions as an āvāhana-style invocation: the practitioner calls the Goddess—named through multiple epithets—to “be pleased here,” anchoring her presence in the ritual space/mandala (notably the caturasra, square form).
Beyond narrative Purāṇic material, the Agni Purana preserves liturgical components—invocations, epithets, and mandala/altar terminology—showing its breadth as a handbook of practical worship alongside theology.
Invoking the Goddess with reverent names and requesting her gracious presence is treated as a sanctifying act that invites protection, auspiciousness, and ritual success through divine favor.