Agni Purana — Veda-vidhana & Vamsha, Shloka 3
Nīrājana-vidhiḥ
Procedure of Nīrājana / Auspicious Lamp-Waving and Royal Propitiation
प्रोष्ठपादे सिते पक्षे प्रतिपत्प्रभृतिक्रमात् शिविरात् पूर्वदिग्भागे शक्रार्थं भवनञ्चरेत्
proṣṭhapāde site pakṣe pratipatprabhṛtikramāt śivirāt pūrvadigbhāge śakrārthaṃ bhavanañcaret
പ്രോഷ്ഠപദ മാസത്തിലെ ശുക്ലപക്ഷത്തിൽ പ്രതിപദ മുതൽ ക്രമമായി, ശിബിരത്തിൽ നിന്ന് കിഴക്കുദിക്കുഭാഗത്ത് ശക്രൻ (ഇന്ദ്രൻ) നിമിത്തം വാസസ്ഥലം/മണ്ഡപം സ്ഥാപിക്കണം.
Lord Agni (instructional narration to the sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vrata","secondary_vidya":"Vastu","practical_application":"Set up an Indra-focused ritual pavilion/dwelling in the eastern quarter during Śukla Proṣṭhapadā starting from Pratipad, following day-by-day sequence for a state/camp observance.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Proṣṭhapadā Śukla Indra-śivira & Pūrvadig-vinyāsa","lookup_keywords":["proṣṭhapadā","śukla-pakṣa","pratipad","śakra-vrata","pūrvadig"],"quick_summary":"During bright Proṣṭhapadā from Pratipad onward, establish the Indra pavilion oriented to the east, integrating camp/royal logistics with ritual directionality."}
Concept: Ritual order (krama) and dik-niyama (directional discipline) as supports for collective welfare and protection.
Application: When organizing public rites (especially in temporary settlements), align pavilions and processions to prescribed directions and tithi-krama.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Vrata & Devata-upasana / Indra-Shakra ritual observance)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Type: Directional/Vāstu
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A royal/military camp with a newly erected ritual pavilion in the eastern sector; priests marking directions; banners and offerings prepared for Indra during bright Proṣṭhapadā.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, panoramic camp scene with eastern pavilion highlighted, priests with measuring cords and ritual pots, stylized compass directions, earthy reds and greens, traditional mural ornamentation","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, ceremonial pavilion with gold accents, king and purohita pointing east, attendants holding parasols and lamps, rich decorative borders","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, diagram-like clarity: camp plan with east quadrant pavilion, labeled tithi sequence motifs, fine lines and muted colors","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed encampment with tents, an eastern ritual canopy, astrologer-priest indicating lunar day, intricate textiles and weapon racks in background"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shuddha Saveri","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: pratipatprabhṛtikramāt → pratipat-prabhṛti-kramāt; bhavanañcaret → bhavanam caret; pūrvadigbhāge → pūrva-dik-bhāge; śakrārthaṃ → śakra-artham.
Related Themes: Agni Purana sections on maṇḍapa-vidhi, dhvaja-sthāpana, and nīrājana/utsava krama (nearby chapters)
FAQs
It gives a calendrical-and-directional rule for Śakra (Indra) worship: during the bright fortnight of Proṣṭhapadā, starting from Pratipad, one should set up the ritual dwelling/pavilion in the eastern sector relative to the camp.
It exemplifies the Purāṇa’s practical handbook style by combining time-reckoning (tithi sequence), ritual planning (setting up a bhavana/śivira-based arrangement), and spatial prescription (eastward placement), bridging vrata-vidhi with quasi-vāstu directional norms.
Following the prescribed time (bright fortnight, from Pratipad) and auspicious direction (east) is presented as a correctness-condition for effective propitiation of Indra, supporting ritual efficacy and the accrual of merit through disciplined observance.