Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 24
वागीश्वरीपूजा
The Worship of Vāgīśvarī
अस्त्राणि वाह्यवीथ्यान्तु विष्ण्वादीनश्वमेघभाक् पवित्रारोहणादौ च महामण्डलमालिखेत्
astrāṇi vāhyavīthyāntu viṣṇvādīnaśvameghabhāk pavitrārohaṇādau ca mahāmaṇḍalamālikhet
ಬಾಹ್ಯ ವೀಥಿಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಅಸ್ತ್ರಗಳನ್ನು ವಿನ್ಯಾಸಗೊಳಿಸಬೇಕು; ಅಲ್ಲಿ ವಿಷ್ಣು ಮೊದಲಾದವರು—ಅಶ್ವಮೇಧ ಪುಣ್ಯಭಾಗಿಗಳು—ಪ್ರತಿಷ್ಠಾಪಿತರಾಗಿರಲಿ. ಪವಿತ್ರಾರೋಹಣಾದಿ ವಿಧಿಯ ಆರಂಭದಲ್ಲಿ ಮಹಾಮಂಡಲವನ್ನು ಆಲಿಖಿಸಬೇಕು.
Lord Agni (instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha in ritual procedure)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Mandala-consecration practice: placing weapon-emblems on outer circumambulatory paths, installing Viṣṇu and other deities, and drawing a mahāmaṇḍala at the start of pavitra-ārohaṇa (donning/raising the consecratory thread/amulet).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Mahāmaṇḍala for pavitra-ārohaṇa; outer path weapon-placement","lookup_keywords":["mahāmaṇḍala","pavitrārohaṇa","bāhya-vīthī","astra-vinyāsa","viṣṇv-ādi"],"quick_summary":"Depict weapons on the outer circumambulatory lanes, install Viṣṇu and allied deities there, and begin pavitra-ārohaṇa by drawing the Great Mandala to seal and empower the rite."}
Weapon Type: Astra (divine weapons as protective emblems; unspecified set)
Concept: Ritual boundaries and symbols (astras, mandala) externalize inner protection and focus, preparing the practitioner for consecrated worship.
Application: Before major rites (pavitra), establish a protective mandalic perimeter and begin with a mahāmaṇḍala to standardize the ritual field.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Mandala-vidhi (Ritual diagrams and consecratory procedures)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
Type: Tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A large ritual mandala being drawn on the temple floor; outer circumambulatory lanes marked with weapon symbols; priests prepare pavitra thread/amulet rite with Viṣṇu’s presence emphasized.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, expansive circular/lotus mandala, outer ring filled with stylized astras, priests holding pavitra garlands, Viṣṇu emblematic presence, rhythmic ornamental borders","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-highlighted mahāmaṇḍala with concentric rings, weapon emblems in outer ring, Viṣṇu and attendant deities in medallions, priests lifting pavitra, rich jewel tones","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clear diagrammatic mandala with labeled outer vīthīs and astra placements, priests initiating pavitra-ārohaṇa, fine linework and soft shading","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtyard/temple hall with artisans drawing mandala using powders, outer walkway decorated with weapon motifs, detailed costumes and architectural arches"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: वाह्यवीथ्यान्तु → वाह्यवीथ्याम् + तु; विष्ण्वादीनश्वमेघभाक् → विष्ण्वादीन् + अश्वमेघभाक्; महामण्डलमालिखेत् → महामण्डलम् + आलिखेत्
Related Themes: Agni Purana mandala-vidhi and pavitra-vidhi passages; sections on astra-nyāsa/āvaraṇa-pūjā
FAQs
It gives a practical mandala-vidhi instruction: depict weapons on the outer circumambulatory lanes, represent/install Vishnu and allied deities there, and draw the Mahāmaṇḍala at the start of the pavitra-ārohaṇa (consecratory investiture) rite.
Beyond narrative theology, it preserves applied liturgical technology—spatial layout (outer paths), iconographic placement (weapons and deities), and timing within a rite (pavitra-ārohaṇa)—showing the Agni Purana as a manual of ritual design as well as doctrine.
By linking the mandala’s deities with “Aśvamedha-partaking” merit and prescribing consecratory steps, the verse frames correct mandala construction and investiture as purity-producing acts that amplify ritual merit and sanctify the practitioner and sacred space.