Agni Purana — Sahitya-shastra, Shloka 46
Chapter 342: शब्दालङ्काराः
Verbal/Sound-based Ornaments
कर्णिकायां लिखेदेकं द्वे द्वे दिक्षु विदिक्षु च प्रवेशनिर्गमौ दिक्षु कुर्यादष्टच्छदे ऽम्बुजे
karṇikāyāṃ likhedekaṃ dve dve dikṣu vidikṣu ca praveśanirgamau dikṣu kuryādaṣṭacchade 'mbuje
蓮華の花房（中心核）には一つの印／字を記し、四方および四隅の方位にはそれぞれ二つずつ記すべきである。八弁の蓮華図においても、方位に従って入口と出口を配列する。
Lord Agni (teaching to sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purāṇa’s instructional discourse)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Construction of an aṣṭadala-padma (eight-petalled lotus) yantra/maṇḍala for pūjā, specifying bindu/akṣara placement in the karṇikā and directional petal-marking with prescribed entry/exit points for ritual movement and prāṇa/śakti circulation.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Aṣṭadala-padma yantra: karṇikā-akṣara, dik/vidik marking, and praveśa-nirgama","lookup_keywords":["aṣṭadala padma","karṇikā lekhana","dik vidik nyāsa","praveśa nirgama","yantra pūjā-vidhi"],"quick_summary":"Place a single central mark/seed in the pericarp, mark pairs in the eight directions, and define directional entrances/exits on the eight-petalled lotus to regulate ritual approach and circulation."}
Concept: Dik-niyama (directional order) and madhya-bindu (central principle) as the organizing logic of āvaraṇa-pūjā.
Application: Use strict orientation and defined gateways to avoid ritual errors (doṣa) and to maintain consistent nyāsa/āvaraṇa sequencing.
Khanda Section: Yantra-Mantra & Puja-Vidhi (Tantric diagram construction / lotus-maṇḍala)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritual diagram is being drawn: an eight-petalled lotus with a central pericarp mark, directional petals annotated with paired marks, and small gateway symbols indicating entry and exit aligned to the cardinal directions.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural aesthetic, flat yet rich colors, priest-sage drawing an aṣṭadala lotus yantra on a clean floor with rice-powder lines, clear dik/vidik markers, minimal background, sacred calm","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, gold-leaf accents on the lotus petals and central karṇikā, ornate border, ritual implements (kalaśa, dīpa) beside the yantra, strong symmetry and frontal clarity","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, fine linework emphasizing geometric precision of the lotus-maṇḍala, labeled directions in small Devanagari, instructional composition with subdued palette","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, top-down view of a scholar-priest drafting the lotus diagram on paper, delicate calligraphy for directional notes, architectural interior with patterned carpet, meticulous geometry"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: लिखेदेकम् = लिखेत् + एकम्; अष्टच्छदेऽम्बुजे = अष्टच्छदे + अम्बुजे (अ + अ → ’).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 342 (yantra-mantra, padma-maṇḍala context)
FAQs
It gives a precise rule for constructing an eight-petalled lotus (aṣṭadala-padma) maṇḍala/yantra: place one inscription in the central pericarp, place pairs of inscriptions in each direction (cardinal and intercardinal), and designate directional entry/exit points for ritual movement or installation.
Beyond narrative theology, it preserves applied ritual technology—diagrammatic geometry, directional layout (dik/vidik), and procedural logistics (entry/exit)—showing the Agni Purāṇa as a manual that spans liturgy, sacred architecture principles, and tantric-style maṇḍala practice.
Correct directional placement and controlled entry/exit in a lotus-maṇḍala are meant to maintain ritual purity, concentrate the deity’s presence in the center, and ensure the rite proceeds without directional faults (dik-doṣa), supporting auspicious results and merit from properly executed worship.