Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 11
Chapter 246 — वास्तुलक्षणम्
Characteristics of Building-sites / Vāstu
पवनः पूर्वतश् चैव अन्तरीक्षधनेश्वरौ आग्नेये चाथ नैरृत्ये मृगसुग्रीवकौ सुरौ
pavanaḥ pūrvataś caiva antarīkṣadhaneśvarau āgneye cātha nairṛtye mṛgasugrīvakau surau
ಪೂರ್ವ ದಿಕ್ಕಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಪವನ (ವಾಯುದೇವ) ಸ್ಥಿತನಾಗಿದ್ದಾನೆ; ಮಧ್ಯ ದಿಕ್ಕುಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಅಂತರಿಕ್ಷ ಮತ್ತು ಧನೇಶ್ವರ (ಕುಬೇರ) ಇರುತ್ತಾರೆ; ಆಗ್ನೇಯ ಹಾಗೂ ನೈಋತ್ಯದಲ್ಲಿ ಮೃಗ ಮತ್ತು ಸುಗ್ರೀವ ಎಂಬ ಎರಡು ದೇವತೆಗಳು ನೆಲೆಸಿವೆ।
Lord Agni (narrating Purāṇic/Vāstu directional assignments)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Dikpāla-nyāsa in vāstu-pūjā: assigning directional guardians before site-entry, foundation-laying, and door-placement to harmonize space and avert directional doṣas.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Dikpāla-nyāsa: East and intermediate quarters (Pavana, Antarikṣa, Dhaneśvara; Agneya/Nairṛtya: Mṛga, Sugrīva)","lookup_keywords":["dikpala-nyasa","pavana","dhaneshvara-kubera","agneya","nairrtya"],"quick_summary":"This verse enumerates specific presences to be stationed/remembered in directions during vāstu-nyāsa. Use it as a placement-memory map when performing directional worship and protective installation."}
Concept: Space is ritually intelligible: directions are inhabited by specific powers that must be acknowledged to stabilize human dwelling.
Application: Before construction/entry, perform dikpāla-pūjā/nyāsa and align doors/activities with the directional scheme to reduce vāstu-doṣa.
Khanda Section: Vastu & Dikpala-nyasa (Directional Deities and Guardians)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A vāstu-maṇḍala diagram with the East marked by Pavana, intermediate quarters labeled Antarikṣa and Kubera, and Agneya/Nairṛtya corners bearing Mṛga and Sugrīva as guardian figures.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, flat yet vivid colors, vāstu-maṇḍala on floor, directional deities as stylized guardian figures with inscriptions: Pavana in East, Kubera in intermediate quarter, Mṛga in Agneya, Sugrīva in Nairṛtya, sacred lamps, ritual priest indicating directions","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central vāstu-maṇḍala with gold-leaf borders, jeweled Kubera in intermediate quarter, Pavana with flowing scarf in East, corner guardians Mṛga and Sugrīva, ornate arch motifs, rich reds and greens","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional composition: clean labeled compass grid, small deity vignettes in each quarter, priest holding a pointer and kalasha, muted palette with fine linework","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, top-down architectural plan of a house-site with compass rose, tiny painted figures of Pavana and Kubera in their quarters, corner guardians in Agneya/Nairṛtya, delicate calligraphy labels, pastel background"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shuddha Saveri","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: चैव = च + एव; अन्तरीक्षधनेश्वरौ treated as तत्पुरुष-समास (अन्तरीक्ष-धनस्य ईश्वरौ).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 246 (vāstu-maṇḍala, dikpāla-nyāsa, dvāra-devatā lists)
FAQs
It assigns specific deities/guardians to the cardinal and intermediate directions (dik-nirdesha), a core step for Vāstu and ritual nyāsa when laying out temples, altars, or protective mandalas.
By cataloging directional deities used in architecture and ritual space-planning, it shows the Agni Purana’s coverage beyond myth—into applied Vāstu, consecration procedure, and cosmological mapping.
Correctly honoring the deities of the directions is taught to harmonize the ritual space, remove directional faults (doṣa), and secure protection and auspiciousness for the performer and the site.