Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 20
Chapter 41 — शिलाविन्यासविधानं
The Procedure for Laying the Stones / Foundation Setting
लौहानि दिक्पतेरस्त्रं यजेद्वै गर्भभाजने द्वादशाङ्गुलविस्तारे चतुरङ्गुलकोच्छ्रये
lauhāni dikpaterastraṃ yajedvai garbhabhājane dvādaśāṅgulavistāre caturaṅgulakocchraye
ຄວນປະກອບພິທີອະພິເສກອາວຸດເຫຼັກຂອງພຣະເຈົ້າແຫ່ງທິດທັງປວງ ໂດຍວາງໃນພາຊະນະດັ່ງຄັນ (garbha) ກວ້າງ 12 ນິ້ວມື ແລະສູງ 4 ນິ້ວມື।
Lord Agni (in discourse to sage Vasiṣṭha, as per the common Agni Purana dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Ritual fabrication and consecration (saṃskāra) of a directional weapon/implement using specified vessel dimensions for stable installation and effective protective use.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Dikpati-astra loha-saṃskāra in garbha-bhājana (12 aṅgula width, 4 aṅgula height)","lookup_keywords":["dikpati-astra","loha-astra","garbha-bhājana","aṅgula-māna","yantra-astra nirmāṇa"],"quick_summary":"Consecrate an iron directional weapon by placing it in a womb-vessel of prescribed measurements; correct māna (measure) is treated as essential to ritual efficacy and stability."}
Weapon Type: Astra (ritually empowered weapon/implement), iron (loha)
Concept: Māna (correct measure) and garbha-pratiṣṭhā as prerequisites for śakti-āveśa (effective empowerment) in ritual objects.
Application: Follow exact dimensions and containment rules when installing protective implements/yantras to avoid ritual ‘doṣa’ (fault) and to stabilize intent.
Khanda Section: Dikpala-Puja & Yantra-Astra Nirmana (Ritual construction of directional weapons/implements)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritualist consecrates an iron astra placed inside a small womb-like vessel; measuring rods mark 12-aṅgula width and 4-aṅgula height; directional guardians implied around the altar.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, flat bold colors, a tantric altar with a garbha-bhājana holding an iron astra, dikpālas faintly in the eight directions, measuring aṅgulas shown as stylized marks, sacred lamps and lotus motifs","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central consecration altar with gold-leaf highlights, garbha-vessel and iron astra rendered with ornate borders, dikpāla emblems in corners, rich reds and greens, embossed jewelry-like detailing on ritual items","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clean linework and instructional clarity, priest measuring vessel dimensions (12 aṅgula breadth, 4 aṅgula height) beside a labeled garbha-bhājana, subtle background of a shrine interior","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed workshop-ritual scene with artisans and priest, precise measuring tools, small vessel with iron weapon, architectural niche suggesting sanctum, delicate floral margins"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: dikpaterastraṃ → dikpateḥ astram; yajedvai → yajet vai; dvādaśāṅgulavistāre → dvādaśa-aṅgula-vistāre; caturaṅgulakocchraye → catuḥ-aṅgula-ucchraye (k is sandhi insertion).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 41 (Dikpāla-pūjā; yantra/astra nirmāṇa context)
FAQs
It prescribes the consecration (yajana) of an iron astra associated with the Dikpati, specifying the installation container (garbha-bhājana) and its precise aṅgula-based dimensions.
It combines ritual liturgy with technical specification—standardized measurements and construction details—showing how the text functions as a manual for applied rites, installation methods, and material culture.
Correctly consecrating the astra with proper materials and measurements is treated as ensuring ritual efficacy (siddhi), protection aligned with the directions, and purification through rule-governed worship.