Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 14
Chapter 41 — शिलाविन्यासविधानं
The Procedure for Laying the Stones / Foundation Setting
पद्मं चैव महापद्मं मकरं कच्छपं तथा कुमुदञ्च तथा नन्दं पद्मं शङ्खञ्च पद्मिनीं
padmaṃ caiva mahāpadmaṃ makaraṃ kacchapaṃ tathā kumudañca tathā nandaṃ padmaṃ śaṅkhañca padminīṃ
Juga (hendaknya disusun/digambar) padma, mahāpadma, makara, dan kura-kura (kacchapa); juga kumuda dan Nanda; lalu kembali padma, śaṅkha (kerang suci), dan Padminī.
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Shilpa","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Use auspicious emblems (maṅgala-cihna) in mandala/altar decoration or ritual diagramming—lotus variants, makara, tortoise, conch, and named motifs (Nanda, Padminī)—to encode protection, prosperity, and deity-presence in the worship space.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Maṅgala-cihna Set: Padma, Mahāpadma, Makara, Kacchapa, Kumuda, Nanda, Śaṅkha, Padminī","lookup_keywords":["padma","makara","kacchapa","śaṅkha","maṅgala-cihna"],"quick_summary":"Depict or arrange a standard set of auspicious symbols—lotus forms, makara, tortoise, conch, and named motifs—serving as protective and prosperity-bearing markers within pūjā layouts and mandalas."}
Concept: Symbolic cognition: forms (cihna) function as carriers of meaning and invocation-supports, making the ritual space ‘readable’ as a sacred cosmos.
Application: In pūjā/maṇḍala drawing, include standardized auspicious motifs to reinforce intent (śrī, rakṣā, saubhāgya) and to maintain traditional correctness.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Ritual Worship & Iconography: auspicious emblems/attributes)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritual mandala or altar decorated with a sequence of auspicious emblems: multiple lotus types, makara, tortoise, conch, and named floral motifs (Nanda, Padminī) arranged as sacred symbols.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, ornamental panel showing padma and mahāpadma lotuses, a stylized makara, a kacchapa tortoise, kumuda lotus, conch, and floral motifs labeled Nanda and Padminī, bold outlines, temple-border aesthetics","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, icon-like arrangement of auspicious symbols around a central lotus, heavy gold leaf on conch and lotus petals, rich reds and greens, symmetrical devotional ornamentation","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clean instructional plate of maṅgala symbols with precise linework: different lotus varieties, makara profile, tortoise top view, conch spiral; soft shading and clear separations","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, refined decorative study page with naturalistic lotus renderings, a fantastical makara, detailed tortoise, conch shell, arranged like an illustrated catalogue with delicate borders"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Hamsadhwani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: चैव = च + एव; कुमुदञ्च = कुमुदम् + च; शङ्खञ्च = शङ्खम् + च;
Related Themes: Agni Purana 41 (mandala/pujā ornament lists); Agni Purana śilpa/cihna/maṅgala related passages (general)
FAQs
It lists specific auspicious emblems (mangala-chihna) such as lotus-forms, conch, makara, and tortoise to be depicted/placed in the context of ritual worship and sacred iconographic arrangement.
Beyond theology, the Agni Purana catalogs practical ritual-technical details—standardized motifs and symbols used in worship, temple art, and sacred design—showing its role as a compendium of applied religious culture.
Employing prescribed auspicious symbols is understood to invite śrī (prosperity) and maṅgala (well-being), supporting purity of worship and the devotee’s merit through correct, tradition-aligned ritual presentation.