Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 14
Chapter 246 — वास्तुलक्षणम्
Characteristics of Building-sites / Vāstu
मुख्यो भल्लाटशशिनौ अदितिश् च कुवेरकः नागो हुताशः श्रेष्ठो वै शक्रसूर्यौ च पूर्वतः
mukhyo bhallāṭaśaśinau aditiś ca kuverakaḥ nāgo hutāśaḥ śreṣṭho vai śakrasūryau ca pūrvataḥ
ಪೂರ್ವಾಭಿಮುಖವಾಗಿ ಮುಖ್ಯ, ಭಲ್ಲಾಟ ಮತ್ತು ಶಶಿ (ಚಂದ್ರ), ಹಾಗೆಯೇ ಅದಿತಿ ಮತ್ತು ಕುಬೇರರನ್ನು ಸ್ಮರಿಸಬೇಕು/ಸ್ಥಾಪಿಸಬೇಕು; ಅದೇ ರೀತಿ ನಾಗ, ಹುತಾಶ (ಅಗ್ನಿ), ಶ್ರೇಷ್ಠ, ಮತ್ತು ಪೂರ್ವದಲ್ಲೇ ಶಕ್ರ (ಇಂದ್ರ) ಹಾಗೂ ಸೂರ್ಯನೂ ಸೂಚಿಸಲ್ಪಟ್ಟಿದ್ದಾರೆ।
Lord Agni (traditional Agni Purana frame: Agni instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Jyotisha","secondary_vidya":"Vastu","practical_application":"Directional remembrance/placement of deities and luminaries (Sūrya, Śaśin) for dik-nyāsa and auspicious orientation; used in consecration, daily worship alignment, and selecting favorable directions.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"East-facing enumeration: Mukhyā, Bhallāṭa, Śaśin, Aditi, Kubera, Nāga, Hutāśa, Śreṣṭha, Śakra, Sūrya","lookup_keywords":["jyotisha-dik","shashin-moon","surya-east","hutasha-agni","shakra-indra"],"quick_summary":"Provides an east-oriented roster combining astral deities (Sun/Moon) with dikpāla-class powers. Practically supports orientation rites and the mental map used in vāstu and jyotiṣa-aligned worship."}
Concept: Macrocosm–microcosm alignment: luminaries and deities structure time and space; correct orientation harmonizes human action with cosmic order.
Application: Face East for key rites; align temple/gṛha entrances and daily sandhyā practices with solar direction; use the roster for nyāsa/āvāhana sequences.
Khanda Section: Jyotisha / Dikpala-nama-nirdesha (Directional deities and astral-luminary enumeration)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: Sacred-direction
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"An east-facing panel showing Sūrya and Candra with accompanying deities (Indra, Agni, Kubera, Aditi, Nāga) arranged in a neat roster as if on a temple wall or ritual diagram.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, east wall of a temple with painted panels: radiant Sūrya, cool Śaśin, Agni with flames, Indra enthroned, Kubera with treasure, Aditi maternal figure, Nāga coiled, all arranged in an orderly grid with Sanskrit labels","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central Sūrya with gold halo, Candra with silver-toned crescent, surrounding deities in medallions, heavy gold work and ornamental borders, east-direction motif emphasized","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional chart-like painting: east arrow, deity icons in sequence (Mukhyā, Bhallāṭa, Śaśin, etc.), fine detailing and clear labeling, calm palette","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly cosmological diagram with sun and moon discs, attendant deities as small portraits around the east margin, elegant calligraphy and geometric framing"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Ahir Bhairav","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: अदितिश् = अदितिः (visarga before च).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 246 (dikpāla and directional enumerations)
FAQs
It gives a directional (east-facing) enumeration of deities/astral powers used for ritual orientation—useful in nyāsa, mandala placement, or remembering which divine forces preside in a given direction.
By cataloging deity-names and their directional associations, it preserves a compact reference for cosmology, ritual procedure, and traditional lists—one of the Agni Purana’s hallmark encyclopedic features.
Correctly aligning worship, recitation, or placements with prescribed directions is traditionally held to harmonize the rite with cosmic order (ṛta), supporting purity of performance and the intended religious merit (puṇya).