Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 19
Chapter 246 — वास्तुलक्षणम्
Characteristics of Building-sites / Vāstu
रुचिरे नन्दने नन्दे वासिष्ठे रम्यतामिह प्रजापतिसुते देवि चतुरस्रे महीमये
rucire nandane nande vāsiṣṭhe ramyatāmiha prajāpatisute devi caturasre mahīmaye
ಓ ರುಚಿರೇ, ನಂದನವನದ ನಂದೇ, ಓ ವಾಸಿಷ್ಠೀ, ಇಲ್ಲಿ ರಮ್ಯವಾಗಿ ವಾಸಿಸು. ಓ ದೇವಿ, ಪ್ರಜಾಪತಿಸುತೆ, ಮಹೀಮಯೀ, ಈ ಚತುರಸ್ರ (ಚೌಕಾಕಾರ) ಪವಿತ್ರಭೂಮಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಪ್ರತಿಷ್ಠಿತೆಯಾಗು.
Lord Agni (instructing as narrator of ritual/installation procedures)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Mantra-address to the presiding Devī of the site to ‘delight and abide’ in the prepared square (caturasra) earthen ground—used during site-consecration (bhūmi-śuddhi/adhivāsana) for mandira-nirmāṇa.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Caturasra-bhūmi (square plot) consecration with Nandā/Vāsiṣṭhī Devī invocation","lookup_keywords":["caturasra-bhūmi","mandira-nirmāṇa","Nandā","Vāsiṣṭhī","bhūmi-adhivāsa"],"quick_summary":"For temple/site establishment, consecrate the square ground and invite the site-devī (Nandā/Vāsiṣṭhī, Prajāpati’s daughter, earth-formed) to take pleasure and reside there."}
Alamkara Type: Sambodhana (direct address)
Concept: Space becomes sacred through right form (caturasra geometry) and right presence (devatā-adhivāsa).
Application: In construction rites, pair geometric correctness of the plot with devatā-invitation mantras to align dwelling/temple with auspicious order.
Khanda Section: Vāstu-Śāstra / Mandira-Nirmāṇa (Temple & Sacred Architecture)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: Sacred grove
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A freshly prepared square sacred ground marked with a vāstu grid; a priest invites the earth-formed Devī (Nandā/Vāsiṣṭhī) to reside, with the Nandana-grove imagery faintly present as an auspicious backdrop.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, square vāstu-maṇḍala drawn on earth, Devī emerging from the ground as mahī-mayī, priest offering flowers, stylized grove with parrots and lotuses, bold outlines and earthy tones.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, Devī seated above a square ground-diagram, gold leaf highlighting the square border and ornaments, rich temple setting, lamps and kalashas around the plot.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, technical clarity: square plot with vāstu grid lines, priest performing adhivāsa, Devī shown as translucent earth-goddess, neat labeling of ‘caturasra’ emphasis.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, architectural planning scene with a square courtyard diagram, priest and patrons, subtle apparition of Devī, detailed garden suggesting Nandana, fine linework and muted palette."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: रम्यतामिह → रम्यताम् इह (म् + इ); प्रजापतिसुते → प्रजापति-सुते (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 246 (Vāstu-śāstra / mandira-nirmāṇa segment)
FAQs
It functions as an invocation for Devī-pratiṣṭhā tied to vāstu: the Goddess is invited to ‘delight here’ and be established specifically in a caturasra (square) ground-plan, a standard vāstu-mandala requirement for stable sacred construction.
Alongside theology, it preserves applied technical knowledge—vāstu/mandira procedure—linking mantra-style address (Devī invocation) with architectural specification (square plan), showing how ritual and building-science are integrated in Purāṇic manuals.
Inviting the Goddess to reside in the properly proportioned square site sacralizes the ground, removes inauspiciousness in construction, and is traditionally held to secure protection, prosperity, and merit (puṇya) for the patron and community.