Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 6
Agnisthāpana-vidhi (Procedure for Establishing the Sacred Fire) and Protective Īśāna-kalpa Homa Sequences
वज्रीकरणमन्त्रेण हृदा दर्भैश् चतुष्पथं अक्षपात्रन्ततनुत्रेण विन्यसेद्विष्टरं हृदा
vajrīkaraṇamantreṇa hṛdā darbhaiś catuṣpathaṃ akṣapātrantatanutreṇa vinyasedviṣṭaraṃ hṛdā
വജ്രീകരണ മന്ത്രവും ഹൃദയമന്ത്രവും ഉപയോഗിച്ച് ദർഭകൊണ്ട് ചതുഷ്പഥം (നാലുദിശ ക്രൂശാകൃതി) വിന്യസിക്കണം. തതനുത്ര മന്ത്രം കൊണ്ട് അക്ഷപാത്രം സ്ഥാപിക്കണം; തുടർന്ന് ഹൃദയമന്ത്രം കൊണ്ട് വിഷ്ടരം (ആസനം) വെക്കണം.
Lord Agni (in instruction to the sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Mantra-empowered altar layout: forming a four-way darbha arrangement, placing the akṣa-vessel, and establishing the seat (viṣṭara) with specific mantras.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Catuṣpatha Darbha-Vinyāsa with Vajrīkaraṇa and Tatanutra Mantras","lookup_keywords":["vajrīkaraṇa-mantra","catuṣpatha","darbha-vinyāsa","tatanutra","akṣapātra"],"quick_summary":"Use Vajrīkaraṇa and hṛd-mantra to lay a cross-shaped darbha arrangement; place the akṣa-vessel with Tatanutra, then set the ritual seat with the hṛd-mantra."}
Concept: Mantra and placement (vinyāsa) jointly ‘armor’ the ritual field and instruments.
Application: Follow exact sequencing of mantras with physical placements to stabilize attention and ensure ritual efficacy.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Ritual Procedure / Tantric-Nyasa and Altar Arrangement)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A cross-shaped (four-way) darbha layout is arranged on the ritual floor; an akṣa-vessel is placed at a designated point; the viṣṭara (seat) is set with mantra-focused gestures.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, top-down ritual diagram feel: four-way darbha cross, priest placing a small vessel, subtle mantra glyphs around, warm temple interior tones, stylized borders.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, richly ornamented ritual seat and vessel, gold highlights on the viṣṭara and mantra aura, symmetrical cross-shaped darbha arrangement emphasized.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, didactic layout: clearly drawn catuṣpatha darbha cross with labeled directions, priest’s hands in placement sequence, soft colors and fine lines.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, meticulous depiction of darbha strands forming a cross, small vessel with reflective highlights, attendant holding ritual items, architectural niche background."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: वज्रीकरणमन्त्रेण = वज्रीकरण + मन्त्रेण; दर्भैश् चतुष्पथम् = दर्भैः + चतुष्पथम्; अक्षपात्रन्ततनुत्रेण = अक्षपात्रम् + ततनुत्रेण; विन्यसेद्विष्टरम् = विन्यसेत् + विष्टरम्।
Related Themes: Agni Purana Puja-vidhi: sections on hṛd-mantra usage, vinyāsa, and mudrā/yantra-like layouts
FAQs
It gives a precise nyāsa/vinyāsa procedure: arranging darbha in a four-directional cross, placing the designated ritual vessel (akṣa-pātra) with a protective mantra (tatanutra), and establishing the ritual seat (viṣṭara) using the heart-mantra.
Beyond theology, it preserves step-by-step liturgical technology—mantra-specific placements, altar/seat layout, and protective rites—showing the Agni Purana as a practical manual for ritual performance alongside its broader teachings.
The protective (vajrīkaraṇa/tatanutra) and heart-mantra placements are meant to sanctify the ritual space, guard the worship from obstacles, and ensure purity and efficacy (siddhi) of the rite, thereby supporting merit (puṇya) and successful completion.