Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 8
Chapter 21 — सामान्यपूजाकथनम्
Teaching on General Worship
ईशानन्तमजं चास्त्रं वाहनं कुमुदादिकम् विष्वक्सेनं मण्डलादौ सिद्धिः पूजादिना भवेत्
īśānantamajaṃ cāstraṃ vāhanaṃ kumudādikam viṣvaksenaṃ maṇḍalādau siddhiḥ pūjādinā bhavet
മണ്ഡലക്രമത്തിൽ ഈശാനൻ, അനന്തൻ, അജൻ, അധിഷ്ഠാതൃ-അസ്ത്രം, വാഹനം, കുമുദാദികൾ, വിഷ്വക്സേനൻ എന്നിവരെ സ്ഥാപിച്ച് ആവാഹനം ചെയ്യണം; പൂജയും അനുബന്ധാനുഷ്ഠാനങ്ങളും മൂലം സിദ്ധി ലഭിക്കുന്നു।
Lord Agni (instructing Sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Maṇḍala-nyāsa and āvaraṇa placement (Īśāna orientation; invoking Ananta, Aja, Astra, Vāhana, Kumuda-gaṇa, Viṣvaksena) to secure siddhi through correct spatial arrangement and worship observances.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Īśāna-kalpa maṇḍala arrangement with Viṣvaksena and Kumuda group","lookup_keywords":["ishana-kalpa","mandala arrangement","vishvaksena","kumuda","siddhi through puja"],"quick_summary":"Correct placement of specific guardians/attendants in the maṇḍala—beginning with Īśāna orientation and including Viṣvaksena—supports obstacle-removal and ritual accomplishment (siddhi)."}
Weapon Type: Astra (missile/weapon principle) as a presiding power; Viṣvaksena as senāpati (commander) imagery
Concept: Siddhi is linked to correct spatial order (krama) and disciplined observance (pūjā-ādi), not merely recitation.
Application: When drawing a maṇḍala or arranging a pūjā space, begin with directional orientation and place guardians/attendants to stabilize the rite.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Mantra-yantra-kalpa (Isana-kalpa orientation)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: Sacred-direction
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritual maṇḍala oriented to the northeast (Īśāna), with labeled placements: Ananta/Śeṣa, Aja, Astra, Vāhana, Kumuda and attendants, and Viṣvaksena guarding the perimeter; the worshipper offers flowers/incense to each node.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, geometric maṇḍala on temple floor, northeast marked, Viṣvaksena as fierce guardian at gateway, Ananta serpent motif supporting central deity, rich reds/ochres, ritual lamps around","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central deity panel with surrounding small medallions for Viṣvaksena, Ananta, Kumuda group, gold foil emphasizing the maṇḍala border and guardian weapons","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style instructional plate: clean maṇḍala diagram with directional arrow to Īśāna, small icon vignettes for each attendant (Viṣvaksena, Ananta, Vāhana), readable and didactic","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, top-down view of a maṇḍala courtyard, scholars/priests placing offerings at marked stations, Viṣvaksena at entrance, fine architectural detailing and patterned ground"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: चास्त्रं = च + अस्त्रम्; मण्डलादौ = मण्डल + आदौ (अव्ययीभाव); पूजादिना = पूजा + आदिना.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 21 (maṇḍala/nyāsa and āvaraṇa instructions)
FAQs
It teaches maṇḍala-pūjā sequencing: placing/invoking specific deities and protective forces (including Astra and Viṣvaksena) at the start of the ritual diagram to ensure efficacy.
Beyond mythology, it functions as a practical ritual manual—cataloging deity-lists, protective mantras, and maṇḍala-setup rules typical of tantra-inflected pūjā systems preserved within the Purāṇa.
Correct maṇḍala arrangement and worship are presented as the cause of siddhi—ritual success—by sanctifying the space, invoking guardianship, and aligning the practitioner with the prescribed divine order.