Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 11
वागीश्वरीपूजा
The Worship of Vāgīśvarī
प्रथमे कर्णिका तत्र पुष्करैर् नवभिर्युता केशराणि चतुर्विंशद्वितीये ऽथ तृतीयके
prathame karṇikā tatra puṣkarair navabhiryutā keśarāṇi caturviṃśadvitīye 'tha tṛtīyake
प्रथम विन्यास में वहाँ कर्णिका होती है, जो नौ पुष्करों (कमल-दलों) से युक्त है। दूसरे तथा तीसरे में चौबीस केसर (तंतु) होते हैं।
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha, Agni Purana’s standard narration frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Vastu","practical_application":"Designing and drawing lotus-based yantra/maṇḍala layouts for pūjā, including correct counts of petals/filaments for specific ritual diagrams.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Karṇikā–Puṣkara–Keśara counts in lotus-maṇḍala","lookup_keywords":["karṇikā","puṣkara (petals)","keśara (filaments)","lotus maṇḍala","yantra lakṣaṇa"],"quick_summary":"Specifies canonical numerical features of lotus diagrams: a central pericarp with nine petals in the first type, and twenty-four filaments in the second and third types—used to standardize ritual drawings."}
Concept: Ritual efficacy depends on correct form (ākṛti) and number (saṅkhyā) in yantra/maṇḍala construction.
Application: Use fixed counts while drafting/painting lotus maṇḍalas for pūjā, homa, and installation rites.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Yantra-Mandala-Lakshana (Lotus/Chakra diagram specifications)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritual artisan draws a lotus-maṇḍala: central karṇikā, nine petals around it, and a ring of twenty-four filaments indicated in the next types; measuring cords and ink lines visible.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, flat earthy pigments, artisan-sage drawing a padma-maṇḍala on a clean floor, central karṇikā with nine petals, subtle 24-keśara ring marks, ritual vessels nearby, calm sacred ambience.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-leaf highlights on the lotus diagram, central karṇikā emphasized, nine petals embossed, decorative border suggesting 24 filaments, pūjā items (lamp, conch) rendered richly.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, fine linework and soft shading, instructional depiction of lotus-maṇḍala with labeled counts (9 petals, 24 keśara), measuring thread and stylus shown clearly.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, meticulous geometry on paper, artisan with compass/thread drawing lotus with central pericarp and counted petals/filaments, architectural studio setting, delicate palette."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: puṣkarair navabhiryutā = puṣkaraiḥ + navabhiḥ + yutā; vitīye 'tha = dvitīye + atha (avagraha).
Related Themes: Agni Purāṇa 319 (yantra-maṇḍala-lakṣaṇa context); Agni Purāṇa pūjā-vidhi sections on maṇḍala/yantra drawing
FAQs
It specifies measurable components of a padma-yantra/mandala: a central karṇikā with nine puṣkara units in the first layout, and a set of twenty-four keśara (stamen-like rays/filaments) in the second and third layouts.
Beyond mythology, it preserves technical ritual-geometry—standardized counts and parts used to draw lotus/chakra mandalas for worship—showing the text’s compendium-like coverage of practical liturgical design.
Accurate construction of the mandala/yantra is treated as essential for correct worship (nyāsa, āvaraṇa-pūjā, deity placement), supporting ritual efficacy and the merit (puṇya) gained from properly performed pūjā.