Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 16
Chapter 246 — वास्तुलक्षणम्
Characteristics of Building-sites / Vāstu
शिलेष्टकादिविन्यासं मन्त्रैः प्रार्च्य सुरांश् चरेत् नन्दे नन्दय वासिष्ठे वसुभिः प्रजया सह
śileṣṭakādivinyāsaṃ mantraiḥ prārcya surāṃś caret nande nandaya vāsiṣṭhe vasubhiḥ prajayā saha
śileṣṭaka（シレーシュタカ）をはじめ諸配置を整え、まず真言によって礼拝したのち、ついで諸神を供養すべきである。おおヴァーシシュタよ、「ナンダー」と名づける作法においては「ナンダヤ」と唱え、ヴァス神群とともに、子孫繁栄のために行ずる。
Lord Agni (in instruction to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Puja-vidhi","practical_application":"Ritual nyāsa/vinyāsa sequence for installing placements (śileṣṭaka etc.), mantra-pūjā, then devatā-arcana aimed at prosperity/offspring through the Nandā rite with Vasu-invocation.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Śileṣṭakādi-vinyāsa and Nandā-invocation with the Vasus (for prajā)","lookup_keywords":["śileṣṭaka-vinyāsa","nyāsa","Nandā-mantra","Vasu-pūjā","prajā-siddhi"],"quick_summary":"Perform the prescribed ritual placements beginning with śileṣṭaka, worship with mantras first, then proceed to devatā-arcana; in the Nandā rite, invoke ‘Nandaya’ together with the Vasus for progeny/prosperity."}
Concept: Kriyā-krama (correct ritual sequence) and saṅkalpa toward prajā/śrī through devatā-sambandha.
Application: Use ordered nyāsa → mantra-arcana → devatā-pūjā as a template for household/temple rites where specific phala (offspring, prosperity) is sought.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Mantra-kalpa (Ritual worship procedures and mantra-nyasa)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: Sacred grove
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritual altar with marked placements (vinyāsa) beginning at a designated śileṣṭaka point; the practitioner performs mantra-arcana and then offers worship to a group of deities identified as the Vasus, with an intention for progeny.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, priest performing nyāsa on a yantra-like ground diagram, eight Vasus as radiant attendants, Nandā-devī invoked, warm ochres and deep greens, stylized lotus borders, sacred grove backdrop.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central Nandā-devī with halo and gold leaf, eight Vasus in symmetrical arrangement, ritual platform with vinyāsa markings, rich reds and greens, heavy ornamentation, lamps and flowers.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional clarity: ground-plan vinyāsa diagram, priest in profile doing mantra-arcana, labeled placements, subdued palette with fine linework, minimal background.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly ritual scene with detailed carpet-like altar diagram, small figures of Vasus, calligraphic mantra scroll, delicate flora suggesting Nandana grove, fine brushwork and pastel tones."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shree","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सुरांश् चरेत् → सुरान् चरेत् (न् + च); शिलेष्टकादिविन्यासं → शिलेष्टक-आदि-विन्यासम् (समास/विग्रह).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 246 (Pūjā-vidhi / Mantra-kalpa context)
FAQs
It teaches a puja-sequence: first establish the ritual placements (vinyāsa/nyāsa) beginning with śileṣṭaka and related items, then perform preliminary mantra-worship, and only then proceed to worship the deities, including invocation connected with ‘Nandā’ and the Vasus for progeny/prosperity.
It exemplifies the text’s procedural, manual-like coverage of ritual technology—stepwise worship order, mantra-usage, deity-group invocation (Vasus), and specific rite-names (Nandā)—showing the Agni Purana as a compendium of practical religious disciplines.
Correct vinyāsa and mantra-first worship are presented as ensuring ritual efficacy and auspicious results—especially wellbeing, prosperity, and the attainment of progeny—through properly ordered divine invocation.