Agni Purana — Sahitya-shastra, Shloka 45
Chapter 342: शब्दालङ्काराः
Verbal/Sound-based Ornaments
कर्णिकां तोलयेदूर्ध्वं पत्राकाराक्षरावलिं प्रवेशयेत् कर्णिकायाञ्चतुष्पत्रसरोरुहे
karṇikāṃ tolayedūrdhvaṃ patrākārākṣarāvaliṃ praveśayet karṇikāyāñcatuṣpatrasaroruhe
कर्णिका को ऊपर उठाकर (चिह्नित करके) चार-पंखुड़ी कमल में कर्णिका के भीतर पंखुड़ी-आकार वाली अक्षर-श्रृंखला का प्रवेश कराना चाहिए।
Lord Agni (instructional narration to Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Constructing a four-petalled lotus-yantra: marking the raised/upper pericarp (karṇikā) and inscribing the petal-shaped akṣara-series into the central pericarp for mantra-installation (akṣara-nyāsa).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Karṇikā-Utthāpana and Akṣara-Āvali Insertion in Catuṣpatra Padma-yantra","lookup_keywords":["karṇikā","catuṣpatra","padma-yantra","akṣara-āvali","nyāsa"],"quick_summary":"Gives the practical drawing/inscription step: define the central pericarp prominently and place the petal-formed letter-series into the karṇikā of a four-petalled lotus, preparing the yantra for mantra-siddhi and protection."}
Concept: Akṣara is śakti: correct placement (nyāsa) in the yantra-body makes the diagram a functional seat of mantra.
Application: During pūjā, inscribe the prescribed letters in the karṇikā/petals with purity and correct order, then proceed to āvāhana and japa as per prayoga.
Khanda Section: Yantra–Mantra / Puja-vidhi (Tantric diagram and lotus-inscription procedure)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Close-up of a four-petalled lotus yantra being drawn: the central karṇikā is made prominent, and petal-shaped letters are carefully inscribed into the center, with a stylus, rice-powder lines, and pūjā items around.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: priest kneeling, drawing a catuṣpatra padma with a raised-looking central karṇikā, white lines on red-ochre floor, letters stylized as petal-forms, oil lamp glow, ritual vessels nearby.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: richly ornamented lotus-yantra with gold leaf outlining the karṇikā and petals, akṣaras embossed in gold, altar with flowers and kalasha, deep jewel tones.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: instructional step-by-step feel—hand with stylus marking the karṇikā, then inserting akṣara-āvali; fine linework, soft pastel wash, clear geometry.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: artisan-scribe inscribing petal-shaped letters into a lotus diagram on paper or cloth, precise calligraphy, delicate shading, patterned carpet and border."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तोलयेदूर्ध्वं = तोलयेत् + ऊर्ध्वम्; कर्णिकायाञ्चतुष्पत्रसरोरुहे = कर्णिकायाम् + चतुष्पत्रसरोरुहे (anusvāra/ñ sandhi before c-).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 342 (padma-maṇḍala/yantra drawing sequence); Agni Purana yantra-mantra and nyāsa-related passages (contextual)
FAQs
It teaches a yantra-inscription step: draw/raise the lotus ‘karnika’ (central hub) and place a petal-shaped sequence of syllables (akṣara-āvali) into the center of a four-petalled lotus diagram.
Beyond mythology, it preserves applied ritual technology—diagrammatic construction (padma-yantra), syllable placement, and liturgical layout—showing the text’s coverage of practical Tantra/Puja procedures alongside other sciences.
Correct placement of syllables in the lotus-center is treated as essential for mantra efficacy and ritual purity, aligning the practitioner’s worship with the intended deity/energy focus of the yantra.