Agni Purana — Sahitya-shastra, Shloka 45
Chapter 342: शब्दालङ्काराः
Verbal/Sound-based Ornaments
कर्णिकां तोलयेदूर्ध्वं पत्राकाराक्षरावलिं प्रवेशयेत् कर्णिकायाञ्चतुष्पत्रसरोरुहे
karṇikāṃ tolayedūrdhvaṃ patrākārākṣarāvaliṃ praveśayet karṇikāyāñcatuṣpatrasaroruhe
Angkatlah (tandai) karnikā ke arah atas, lalu masukkan rangkaian huruf berbentuk kelopak ke dalam karnikā pada teratai berkelopak empat.
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.