Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 5
वागीश्वरीपूजा
Worship of Vāgīśvarī
कुर्याद् गुरुश् च दीक्षार्थं मन्त्रग्राहे तु मण्डलम् सूर्याग्रमिन्दुभक्तन्तु भागाभ्यां कमलं हितं
kuryād guruś ca dīkṣārthaṃ mantragrāhe tu maṇḍalam sūryāgramindubhaktantu bhāgābhyāṃ kamalaṃ hitaṃ
ເພື່ອການດີກສາ (ການປະກອບພິທີເຂົ້າຮັບ) ອາຈານຄວນຈັດທຳມະນະດະລະ (maṇḍala) ໃນເວລາຮັບຫຼືມອບມັນຕຣາ. ແນະນຳໃຫ້ໃຊ້ຜັງດອກບົວ (kamala) ໂດຍວາງດວງອາທິດໄວ້ດ້ານໜ້າ ແລະກຳນົດດວງຈັນໃຫ້ຢູ່ໃນສ່ວນທີ່ຄວນເປັນ ຕາມການແບ່ງສ່ວນທີ່ກຳນົດ.
Lord Agni (in discourse to the sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purāṇa narration frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"In dīkṣā and mantra-grahaṇa, instructs the guru to construct a lotus maṇḍala with solar and lunar placements according to prescribed divisions—used to formalize initiation, stabilize energies, and structure worship space.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Dīkṣā-maṇḍala: padma (lotus) with Sūrya and Candra placement","lookup_keywords":["dīkṣā","guru","maṇḍala","padma-kamala","sūrya-candra"],"quick_summary":"Specifies that at mantra reception/initiation the guru should prepare a lotus maṇḍala, placing the Sun in front and assigning the Moon its portion by measured divisions—standardizing the initiation diagram."}
Concept: Dīkṣā is a structured transmission requiring a consecrated spatial order (maṇḍala) harmonizing solar-lunar principles under the guru’s authority.
Application: For ritual leaders: prepare the lotus maṇḍala before mantra bestowal; ensure correct directional placement and proportional allocation for Sūrya/Candra to maintain ritual coherence.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Mantra-diksha and Mandala-vidhi (Tantric initiation diagram procedures)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A guru draws a lotus maṇḍala on the ground with measured petals/segments; a solar emblem placed at the front segment and a lunar emblem in its allotted portion; disciple seated ready for mantra initiation, ritual vessels arranged around.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, ritual courtyard, lotus maṇḍala in bold lines, sun and moon emblems clearly marked, guru with ritual staff, lamps and offerings, warm earthy tones and stylized symmetry","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, lotus maṇḍala with gold-leaf petal outlines, sun disc in front with gold rays, moon crescent in silver-white, guru and disciple richly adorned, heavy ornamental frame","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, diagrammatic clarity: lotus petals counted and segmented, labels for Sūrya and Candra, guru demonstrating with stylus, clean composition suited for instructional depiction","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, meticulous geometric lotus diagram, sun and moon cartouches, guru initiating disciple, fine textiles and vessels, subdued jewel palette with precise linework"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shree","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: guruś ca → guruḥ ca. sūryāgramindubhaktantu → sūryāgram indu-bhaktam tu.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 318 (maṇḍala and mantra-grahaṇa context); Agni Purana maṇḍala-vidhi and dīkṣā-related chapters (general)
FAQs
It prescribes a practical dīkṣā procedure: the guru should construct a ritual maṇḍala—specifically a lotus (kamala) design—during mantra-grāha (mantra reception/initiation), with defined placement/allotment for Sūrya (Sun) and Indu/Candra (Moon) according to measured parts.
Beyond mythic narration, it gives implementable ritual-technical guidance (diagram design, spatial placement, proportional division) characteristic of the Agni Purāṇa’s compendium style—covering pūjā-vidhi, tantric procedure, and mandala geometry alongside other sciences.
Constructing the prescribed mandala during initiation is presented as “hita” (beneficial): it ritually stabilizes mantra transmission, aligns the rite with cosmic principles symbolized by Sun and Moon, and supports purification and successful mantra-siddhi through correct procedure.