Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 7
Chapter 246 — वास्तुलक्षणम्
Characteristics of Building-sites / Vāstu
महेन्द्रश् च रविः सत्यो भृशः पूर्वे ऽथ दक्षिणे गृहक्षतो ऽर्यमधृती गन्धर्वाश्चाथ वारुणे
mahendraś ca raviḥ satyo bhṛśaḥ pūrve 'tha dakṣiṇe gṛhakṣato 'ryamadhṛtī gandharvāścātha vāruṇe
Di arah timur ada Mahendra, Ravi (Surya), Satya, dan Bhṛśa. Lalu di arah selatan ada Gṛhakṣata, Aryaman, dan Dhṛti. Di kuartal Varuṇa (arah barat) terdapat para Gandharva juga.
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha, standard Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Jyotisha","secondary_vidya":"Vastu","practical_application":"Dikpāla/devatā assignment by cardinal directions for vāstu-nyāsa and auspicious orientation decisions (entry, altar, room functions).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Pūrva–Dakṣiṇa–Paścima (Varuṇa) dik-devatā listing","lookup_keywords":["Mahendra","Ravi","Satya","Aryaman","Varuṇa-quarter"],"quick_summary":"Enumerates deities stationed in the east, south, and Varuṇa-quarter (west) for directional mapping used in ritual and architectural orientation."}
Concept: Dik-devatā correspondence as a practical cosmology for ordering space and action.
Application: Apply the list to nyāsa and to avoid directional conflicts in planning (e.g., aligning key functions with benefic quarters).
Khanda Section: Jyotisha / Vastu-Dikpalaka-Nyasa (Directional deities and placements)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A directional compass diagram with the east labeled Mahendra–Ravi–Satya–Bhṛśa, the south labeled Gṛhakṣata–Aryaman–Dhṛti, and the west (Varuṇa quarter) marked with Gandharvas, shown as guardian figures around a central plan.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, circular compass around a square vāstu plan, Indra and Sūrya in the east with iconic halos, Gandharvas in the west with instruments, muted temple palette.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, ornate compass mandala with gold accents, Sūrya radiant in the east, Indra regal, Gandharvas in the west with veena, rich reds and greens.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style instructional plate, neat compass with Sanskrit labels, small deity portraits at each direction, emphasis on clarity and symmetry.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature of scholars presenting a directional chart to a patron, fine calligraphy for quarters, delicate depiction of Sūrya and Gandharvas."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bilawal","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: Resolved: mahendraś→mahendraḥ; pūrve 'tha split; gṛhakṣato 'ryamadhṛtī split as gṛhakṣataḥ + aryama + dhṛtī; gandharvāścātha split as gandharvāḥ + ca + atha.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 246 (dikpāla/vāstu-nyāsa sequence)
FAQs
It provides a directional assignment (dik-vinyāsa) of specific deities/attendants to the east, south, and Varuṇa’s quarter (west), useful for Vāstu planning, mandala/nyāsa, and ritual orientation.
By cataloging cosmological and ritual-architectural data—names of deities linked to compass directions—it functions like a reference list supporting applied disciplines such as Vāstu, temple ritual procedure, and Jyotiṣa-based orientation.
Correctly honoring and placing directional powers is traditionally held to harmonize space, remove directional afflictions (dik-doṣa), and support purity and auspiciousness in rites and dwellings.