Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 7
Chapter 24 — कुण्डनिर्माणादिविधिः
Procedure for Constructing the Fire-pit and Related Rites
एकत्रिमेखलं कुण्डं वर्तुलादि वदाम्यहं सद्मादिसञ्ज्ञा इति ख, चिह्नितपुस्तकपाठः मलन्तु द्व्यङ्गुलमिति ग,चिह्नितपुस्तकपाठः कुण्डार्धे तु स्थितं सूत्रं कोणे यदतिरिच्यते
ekatrimekhalaṃ kuṇḍaṃ vartulādi vadāmyahaṃ sadmādisañjñā iti kha, cihnitapustakapāṭhaḥ malantu dvyaṅgulamiti ga,cihnitapustakapāṭhaḥ kuṇḍārdhe tu sthitaṃ sūtraṃ koṇe yadatiricyate
ನಾನು ಏಕ-ತ್ರಿ-ಮೇಖಲಾ ಕುಂಡದ ವೃತ್ತಾಕಾರಾದಿ ರೂಪಗಳನ್ನು ವಿವರಿಸುತ್ತೇನೆ. ಕುಂಡದ ಮಧ್ಯದಲ್ಲಿ ಇಡಲಾದ ಸೂತ್ರ (ದಾರ) ಮೂಲೆ ಕಡೆಗೆ ಹೆಚ್ಚಾಗಿ ಉಳಿಯುವ ಭಾಗವೇ (ಮಾಪನ ನಿರ್ಣಯಕ್ಕೆ) ಗ್ರಾಹ್ಯ; ಗುರುತಿಸಲಾದ ಹಸ್ತಪ್ರತಿಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ‘ಸದ್ಮಾದಿ-ಸಂಜ್ಞಾ’ ಮತ್ತು ‘ಮಲ—ಎರಡು ಅಂಗುಲ’ ಇತ್ಯಾದಿ ಪಾಠಭೇದಗಳೂ ಕಾಣುತ್ತವೆ।
Lord Agni (in discourse to the sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purāṇa narration frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Constructing fire-pits (kuṇḍa) of circular and other geometries with terraced rims (mekhalā), using a central cord method to set radii/diagonals and resolve corner excess; also noting manuscript variants for correct technical reading.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Eka-tri-mekhalā kuṇḍa: vṛttādi-rūpa and sūtra (cord) corner-excess rule; pāṭha-antara notes","lookup_keywords":["kuṇḍa","mekhalā","vṛtta","sūtra","pāṭha-antara"],"quick_summary":"Introduces circular and other kuṇḍa forms with terraced construction and explains a cord-based geometric method from the midpoint to determine corner excess, while recording variant manuscript readings relevant to the specification."}
Concept: Ritual action (kriyā) requires exact spatial form; measurement and geometry function as supports for mantra-yajña efficacy.
Application: Use a central cord to lay out radii/diagonals and verify corner extensions when shaping non-circular kuṇḍas; consult pāṭha-antara to avoid construction errors.
Khanda Section: Vastu / Kunda-nirmana (Fire-altar geometry and ritual construction)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritual ground plan showing a circular and a polygonal fire-pit with one/three mekhalā terraces; a cord (sūtra) fixed at the midpoint extends to a corner, highlighting the ‘excess’ beyond the arc/side; marginal notes show variant readings.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: homa setting with a kuṇḍa drawn in bold geometry, central peg and cord stretched to a corner; priests and artisans in profile; earthy palette, sacred ambience.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: ornate homa-kuṇḍa with gold accents on mekhalā steps; inset geometric diagram of midpoint cord to corner; rich reds and greens, temple-like framing.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: technical-ritual illustration with multiple kuṇḍa shapes (vṛtta and others), mekhalā tiers labeled, central cord method clearly shown; clean lines and readable annotations.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: detailed courtyard scene of ritual construction; surveyor-like artisan uses cord and peg to mark the kuṇḍa; fine borders, calligraphic marginalia indicating pāṭha variants."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: वदाम्यहं = वदामि + अहम्; कुण्डार्धे = कुण्ड + अर्धे; यदतिरिच्यते = यत् + अतिरिच्यते. पाठे ‘सद्मादिसञ्ज्ञा…’ तथा ‘मलन्तु…’ इत्यादि पाठभेद-सूचनाः (ख/ग) अव्ययवत् ग्रहिता.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 24 (kuṇḍa-nirmāṇa and mekhalā descriptions)
FAQs
It teaches kunda-geometry practice: defining circular and other kunda forms and the use of a measuring cord (sūtra) fixed at the midpoint to determine corner/edge projections, including manuscript-noted measurement allowances (e.g., two aṅgulas).
It preserves applied architectural-ritual engineering—precise layout methods, units (aṅgula), and construction logic for homa altars—showing the text’s coverage beyond theology into technical vastu and liturgical design.
Correct measurement and layout of the homa-kunda is treated as essential for ritual purity and efficacy, ensuring the offering is performed in a properly consecrated space and thereby supporting the intended merit (puṇya) of the rite.