Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 2
Chapter 41 — शिलाविन्यासविधानं
The Procedure for Laying the Stones / Foundation Setting
कुम्भन्यासेष्टकान्यासो द्वारस्तम्भोच्छ्रयं शुभं पादोनं पूरयेत् खातं तत्र वास्तुं यजेत् समे
kumbhanyāseṣṭakānyāso dvārastambhocchrayaṃ śubhaṃ pādonaṃ pūrayet khātaṃ tatra vāstuṃ yajet same
クンバ・ニヤーサ（聖なる壺の安置）とイシュタカー・ニヤーサ（煉瓦の安置）を行った後、門柱の吉祥なる高さを定めるべきである。掘った穴を全量より四分の一欠けるところ（pāda-ūna）まで埋め、ついで平坦な地においてヴァーストゥ（Vāstu）を礼拝せよ。
Lord Agni (in instruction to Vasiṣṭha, Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Executing consecratory placements (kumbha-nyāsa, iṣṭakā-nyāsa), setting auspicious door-pillar height, and correctly backfilling the foundation pit before performing Vāstu worship on a leveled surface.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Kumbha-nyāsa, iṣṭakā-nyāsa, door-pillar height, and backfilling before Vāstu-yajana","lookup_keywords":["kumbha-nyāsa","iṣṭakā-nyāsa","dvāra-stambha","khāta-pūraṇa","vāstu-yajana"],"quick_summary":"After placing the consecration pot and bricks, establish the auspicious door-pillar height. Backfill the pit leaving it one-quarter short, then worship Vāstu on a level surface to stabilize the rite and structure."}
Concept: Śubha (auspicious) measurement and sequence: correct order of nyāsa, measurement, earth-filling, and worship aligns material stability with ritual legitimacy.
Application: Follow the prescribed construction-ritual order to avoid defects: place ritual supports, set structural measures, backfill correctly, then perform Vāstu worship on leveled ground.
Khanda Section: Vāstu-vidyā (Temple/House Construction and Consecration Rites)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A consecration scene at a foundation pit: a kumbha placed with ritual markings, bricks being set, door pillars measured for height, workers backfilling the pit to a specified level, and a priest performing Vāstu worship on leveled ground.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, priests around a kumbha with sacred threads, bricks laid in a neat row, tall door pillars being measured, earth being filled into a pit, calm ritual ambiance.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-highlighted kumbha and ritual vessels, ornate door pillars, priests performing worship gestures, workers backfilling the pit, rich temple setting.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear didactic depiction: stepwise sequence—kumbha-nyāsa, brick-nyāsa, pillar height measurement, backfilling to three-quarters, Vāstu-yajana on a leveled platform.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, bustling yet orderly construction-ritual scene with fine tools, measured pillars, a decorated pot, brickwork, and a priest officiating, detailed ground textures showing partial backfill."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":null,"pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: कुम्भन्यासेष्टकान्यासो → कुम्भन्यास-इष्टकान्यासः; द्वारस्तम्भोच्छ्रयं → द्वार-स्तम्भ-उच्छ्रयम्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana sections on Vāstu-pūjā/ Vāstu-śānti; Agni Purana chapters on pratiṣṭhā-kalpa and nyāsa procedures (where detailed)
FAQs
It gives Vāstu-vidyā instructions: perform kumbha-nyāsa and iṣṭakā-nyāsa, set the auspicious standard for door-pillar height, partially refill the foundation pit (to three-quarters), and then conduct Vāstu-worship on a leveled surface.
It preserves practical architectural-ritual protocol—measurements, sequencing of construction rites, and site-deity worship—showing the Agni Purāṇa’s coverage beyond mythology into applied sciences like Vāstu and temple consecration.
By honoring Vāstu and following prescribed nyāsas and leveling/filling rules, the builder ritually purifies the site, removes inauspiciousness, and aligns the structure with dharmic order for auspicious habitation and worship.