Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 10
Worship by Limb-Syllables
Aṅgākṣara-arcana
यत्र केशरकिञ्जल्कव्यापिसूर्येन्दुदाहिनां मण्डलन्त्रितयन्तावद् भेदैस्तत्र न्यसेत् क्रमात्
yatra keśarakiñjalkavyāpisūryendudāhināṃ maṇḍalantritayantāvad bhedaistatra nyaset kramāt
കേശരവും പരാഗവും വ്യാപിച്ചിരിക്കുന്നിടത്ത്, സൂര്യൻ, ചന്ദ്രൻ, ദാഹിനീ—ഈ ത്രിമണ്ഡലത്തിന്റെ പരിധിവരെ അവയുടെ വിഭാഗങ്ങളെ ക്രമമായി ന്യാസം ചെയ്യണം.
Lord Agni (teaching Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Vastu","practical_application":"Mandala-lakṣaṇa for yantra/lotus: placing divisions (bheda) in sequence across the lotus’ filament/pollen region, extending to a triad of circles associated with Sun, Moon, and a fiery Dāhinī—guiding ritual geometry and visualization.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Mandala Triad: Sūrya–Candra–Dāhinī Circles within the Lotus Field","lookup_keywords":["mandala-lakshana","padma-kesara","kinjalka","surya-candra","dahini"],"quick_summary":"In the lotus area where filaments and pollen spread, lay out the mandala’s divisions in order, culminating in three concentric/related circles—Sun, Moon, and the fiery Dāhinī—forming the diagrammatic field for nyāsa and worship."}
Concept: Cosmic correspondences are encoded as geometry: solar, lunar, and fiery principles become spatial circles within the lotus-mandala, enabling contemplative access through form.
Application: When drawing/visualizing the yantra, treat the lotus’ keśara/kiñjalka zone as the ‘field’ for sequential bheda placement; keep the Sun–Moon–Fire triad distinct to preserve the mandala’s functional symbolism.
Khanda Section: Tantra & Yantra-vidhi (Mandala-lakshana / Diagrammatic ritual geometry)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A lotus-yantra seen from above: filaments and pollen region detailed, with sequentially placed mandala divisions leading outward/inward to three prominent circles labeled Sun, Moon, and fiery Dāhinī, glowing with distinct hues.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, bold lotus mandala top-view, thick petal shapes, inner keśara/kiñjalka rendered as textured ring, three circles (Sun gold-red, Moon silver-white, Dāhinī flame-orange) with sacred glow, minimal temple backdrop.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, highly ornamental yantra-lotus with gold leaf for Sun circle, silver-toned highlights for Moon, raised flame motifs for Dāhinī, rich border and gem-like accents, devotional geometry as centerpiece.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, precise geometric diagram plate: lotus with labeled zones (keśara/kiñjalka), stepwise bheda divisions, three circles clearly differentiated by color and line weight, clean instructional clarity.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, delicate top-down mandala on parchment, fine line geometry, subtle washes for Sun/Moon/Fire circles, marginal notes like a workshop diagram, refined palette and symmetry."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Malkauns","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: केशरकिञ्जल्कव्यापिसूर्येन्दुदाहिनाम् = केशर-किञ्जल्क-व्यापि-सूर्येन्दु-दाहिनाम् (बहुपद-समासः); सूर्येन्दु = सूर्य-इन्दु; मण्डलन्त्रितयन्तावद् = मण्डल-त्रितय-तावत् (न्-आगम/संयोगलेखः); भेदैस्तत्र = भेदैः तत्र.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 302.9; Agni Purana 302.6
FAQs
It teaches the nyāsa (ordered placement) of mandala-divisions, defining the extent of the layout up to a threefold set of circles associated with the Sun, Moon, and a fiery ‘Dāhinī’ circle/power.
Beyond myth and devotion, it preserves technical ritual-geometry—how to construct and segment mandalas used in worship and consecratory rites—showing the text’s coverage of applied sacred sciences (tantra/yantra, pūjā-vidhi, and spatial design).
Correct, sequential mandala-construction is treated as a condition for ritual efficacy—supporting purity, proper invocation, and the stable placement of invoked powers within the consecrated diagram.