Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 2
वागीश्वरीपूजा
The Worship of Vāgīśvarī
चित्रास्वात्यन्तरेणाथ दृष्टसूत्रेण वा पुनः पूर्वापरायतं सूत्रमास्फाल्य मध्यतो ऽङ्कयेत्
citrāsvātyantareṇātha dṛṣṭasūtreṇa vā punaḥ pūrvāparāyataṃ sūtramāsphālya madhyato 'ṅkayet
तदनन्तर चित्रांकन के योग्य अन्तर से—अथवा दृष्टि-डोरी के द्वारा—पूर्व से पश्चिम तक डोरी तानकर उसे झटककर बीच का बिन्दु अंकित करे।
Lord Agni (instructing Vashistha, Agni Purana’s standard dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Establishing a baseline axis and midpoint for accurate plan-drawing/mandala/ground-layout using a cord (sūtra) and snapping method.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Sūtra-sphālana: East–West Baseline and Midpoint Marking","lookup_keywords":["dṛṣṭa-sūtra","sūtra-sphālana","pūrvāpara","madhya-aṅkana","layout"],"quick_summary":"Stretch a cord along the east–west line and snap it to imprint a straight guideline; then mark the midpoint as the reference for further construction."}
Concept: Right knowledge begins with right measure: establishing axis and midpoint is the seed of correct form (rūpa) and function (prayojana).
Application: Use a chalked cord or pigment-coated string; align to cardinal directions; snap to create straight lines; always fix the midpoint before diagonals/grids.
Khanda Section: Vastu-shastra / Chitra (Drawing & Measurement Techniques)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: śānta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Artisans on a leveled ground stretch a cord east–west, then snap it to leave a straight mark; a central midpoint is measured and indicated with a peg or dot.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural look; two sthapatis holding a pigment-coated cord; ground shown as ochre plane; cardinal directions indicated with stylized symbols; midpoint peg highlighted; minimal shading, bold contours.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style; craftsmen with ornate borders; gold accents on tools (measuring rod, pegs); the snapped cord line gleams; auspicious motifs (lotus, kalasha) framing the technical act.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting; diagrammatic clarity—east-west arrow, cord, snap motion; neat labels; soft colors; emphasis on measurement tools and the midpoint mark.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature; courtyard scene with surveyors; fine detail of cord, pegs, and chalk line; perspective showing the long baseline; attendants recording measures on a tablet."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":null,"pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: citrāsvātyantareṇa → citrā + svāti-antareṇa; dṛṣṭasūtreṇa → dṛṣṭa-sūtreṇa; sūtramāsphālya → sūtram + āsphālya; madhyato 'ṅkayet → madhyataḥ + aṅkayet.
Related Themes: Agni Purana vāstu/śilpa sections on sūtra, rekha, and kṣetra-vinyāsa (adjacent verses in this sequence)
FAQs
It teaches a practical Vastu/Chitra technique: align an east–west measuring cord (or sighting line) and snap it to imprint a center-mark for accurate layout and proportioning.
Beyond theology, it preserves applied technical knowledge—architectural/drafting procedures (cord alignment, midpoint marking)—showing the Agni Purana’s coverage of design sciences alongside ritual and doctrine.
Accurate orientation and centered marking support correct sacred geometry in construction; in Vastu-informed practice, such precision is linked with auspiciousness and the proper establishment of a consecrated space.