Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 19
वागीश्वरीपूजा
The Worship of Vāgīśvarī
पञ्चभागान्विता सा तु समन्ताद्दशभागिका दिग्विदिक्ष्वष्ट पद्मानि द्वारपद्मं सवीथिकम्
pañcabhāgānvitā sā tu samantāddaśabhāgikā digvidikṣvaṣṭa padmāni dvārapadmaṃ savīthikam
वह रचना पाँच भागों से युक्त होती है; और चारों ओर से दस भागों में विन्यस्त की जाती है। दिग् और विदिग् में आठ पद्म-खण्ड होते हैं, तथा द्वार पर भी वीथिका सहित एक पद्म होता है।
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Cosmology","practical_application":"Laying out a mandala with specified divisions (five-fold and ten-fold), placing eight directional lotus-panels and a gateway lotus with its processional walkway for circulation and ritual movement.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Five and Ten Divisions with Eight Directional Lotuses and Gateway Lotus (with Vīthikā)","lookup_keywords":["panchabhaga","dashabhaga","dig-vidik","ashta-padma","dvara-padma"],"quick_summary":"Organize the plan into five internal divisions and ten peripheral divisions; install eight lotus-panels in the cardinal/intercardinal directions and a gateway lotus connected to a walkway for processional access."}
Concept: Space is sacralized by directional completeness (dig-vidik) and graded division, enabling both function (movement) and symbolism (lotus-panels).
Application: Use directional zoning and processional paths to align movement, sightlines, and ritual sequence with the mandala’s geometry.
Khanda Section: Vastu-shastra (Mandala, Temple/City Layout and Architectural Measurement)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A symmetrical mandala plan divided into five inner parts and ten outer parts, showing eight lotus panels around the compass and a distinct lotus at the gateway connected to a walkway.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, circular/rectangular mandala with eight lotus medallions at directions, gateway lotus at one side with a painted vīthikā path, bold outlines and earthy palette, sacred diagram feel","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, mandala rendered as ornate architectural diagram with gold lotus medallions at eight directions, gateway lotus emphasized with gold, vīthikā as embellished corridor border","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clean technical mandala drawing: five and ten divisions marked, eight directional lotuses labeled, gateway lotus with walkway clearly shown, instructional clarity","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, top-down plan on parchment with fine geometry, eight lotus cartouches around, gateway lotus and walkway, marginal floral motifs echoing the padma theme"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पञ्चभागान्विता = पञ्च-भाग-अन्विता; समन्ताद्दशभागिका = समन्तात् दश-भागिका; दिग्विदिक्ष्वष्ट = दिक्-विदिक्षु अष्ट; द्वारपद्मं = द्वार-पद्मम्; सवीथिकम् = स-वीथिकम्
Related Themes: Agni Purana 319.18 (abja center and vīthikā definition); Agni Purana 319.20 (door/steps and mouldings)
FAQs
It specifies a vāstu-maṇḍala planning rule: the plan is divided into defined parts (five and ten around the perimeter) and marked with lotus-compartments in the eight directions, including a distinct gateway-lotus with a vīthikā (walkway) for movement and ritual approach.
Beyond theology, the Agni Purana preserves applied sciences like Vāstu-śāstra—here giving concrete geometric and directional prescriptions for designing sacred/ritual space, showing its multi-disciplinary, manual-like character.
Correct directional and geometric arrangement of the ritual/temple space is taught as a means to align the site with cosmic order (dik-vyavasthā), supporting auspiciousness, purity of approach, and the efficacy of worship performed within the properly laid-out enclosure.