Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 27
वागीश्वरीपूजा
The Worship of Vāgīśvarī
दलसन्धिविहीनानि नीलेन्दीवरकानि च तत्पृष्ठे पदिका वीथी स्वस्तिकानि तदूर्ध्वतः
dalasandhivihīnāni nīlendīvarakāni ca tatpṛṣṭhe padikā vīthī svastikāni tadūrdhvataḥ
ನೀಲೇಂದ್ರಿವರ ಪದ್ಮಚಿಹ್ನಗಳನ್ನು ದಳಸಂಧಿ ರೇಖೆಗಳಿಲ್ಲದೆ ಚಿತ್ರಿಸಬೇಕು. ಅವುಗಳ ಹಿಂದೆ ಪದಿಕಾ ಮತ್ತು ವೀಥಿಯನ್ನು ಇಟ್ಟು, ಅದರ ಮೇಲ್ಭಾಗದಲ್ಲಿ ಸ್ವಸ್ತಿಕ ಚಿಹ್ನೆಗಳನ್ನು ಸ್ಥಾಪಿಸಬೇಕು.
Lord Agni (narrating the Vastu/Vinyasa rules to the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Drafting decorative/architectural bands and auspicious motifs (lotus, padikā, vīthī, svastika) in a temple/mandala plan with specified stylistic constraints.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Nīlendīvara-patra-vinirmāṇa with padikā–vīthī and svastika placement","lookup_keywords":["nīlendīvara","dala-sandhi-vihīna","padikā","vīthī","svastika"],"quick_summary":"Render blue water-lily/lotus motifs without petal-junction lines; behind them place a step-band (padikā) and processional strip (vīthī), and above set svastika motifs as auspicious crowning marks."}
Concept: Auspicious efficacy is reinforced by correct emblem hierarchy and disciplined line-conventions in sacred design.
Application: Apply motif grammar (what lines to omit, what to place above/below) when painting floors, carving panels, or drafting temple/yantra layouts.
Khanda Section: Vastu-shastra (Temple Architecture & Iconographic/Decorative Layout)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A decorative register: blue nīlendīvara motifs drawn smoothly without petal-joint lines; behind them a step-like band and a processional strip; above, repeated svastika emblems.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, ornamental frieze with nīlendīvara motifs (no petal-joint lines), layered bands for padikā and vīthī, svastikas above, earthy reds with deep blues, temple-wall composition","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore panel design, embossed gold borders, blue lotus motifs simplified, padikā as stepped gold band, vīthī as patterned strip, svastikas in gold above, rich lacquered finish","mysore_prompt":"Mysore instructional plate, clean line art showing omission of petal junction-lines, labeled padikā and vīthī bands, svastika placement guide, muted palette with precise detailing","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature border study, repeating blue floral motifs with smooth petals, architectural band behind, svastikas as small red-gold emblems above, fine margins and calligraphic notes"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: दलसन्धिविहीनानि = दल + सन्धि + विहीनानि; नीलेन्दीवरकानि = नील + इन्दीवरकानि; तत्पृष्ठे = तत् + पृष्ठे; तदूर्ध्वतः = तत् + ऊर्ध्वतः
Related Themes: Agni Purana 319.26-30 (mandala/vastu motif sequence)
FAQs
It gives a Vastu-shastra placement rule for decorative motifs: how to render blue-lotus designs (without petal-joint lines) and the ordered positioning of padikā, vīthī, and svastika elements in the architectural/ornamental layout.
Beyond theology, it preserves applied design knowledge—precise instructions for architectural ornamentation and auspicious symbol placement—showing the Agni Purana’s coverage of practical arts like Vastu, planning, and iconographic detailing.
Auspicious motifs such as the svastika and lotus, placed in prescribed order, are traditionally held to invite śubha (well-being) and protect sacred space, supporting purity and merit through correctly ordered sacred design.