Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 46
The Description of the Sarvatobhadra Maṇḍala (सर्वतोभद्रमण्डलकथनम्)
चत्वारिंशत्ततो वीथी शेषपङ्क्तित्रयेण च द्वारशोभोपशोभाः स्युर्दिक्षु मध्ये विलोप्य च
catvāriṃśattato vīthī śeṣapaṅktitrayeṇa ca dvāraśobhopaśobhāḥ syurdikṣu madhye vilopya ca
त्यानंतर चाळीस वीथी (रस्ते/मार्ग) रचाव्यात. उरलेल्या तीन पंक्तींनी द्वारांची मुख्य व उपशोभा दिशांमध्ये स्थापावी, आणि विदिशांच्या मध्यभागी विलोप करावा.
Lord Agni (in instruction to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Mandala-grid planning for temple/settlement layout: allocating vīthīs (streets/avenues) and positioning gate-ornaments while keeping diagonal/intermediate-direction centers unobstructed.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Vīthī-saṅkhyā and Dvāra-śobhā placement with diagonal-center omission","lookup_keywords":["vīthī","dvāraśobhā","upaśobhā","mandala grid","vilope (omission)"],"quick_summary":"Prescribes a 40-vīthī layout and instructs that gate-ornaments be arranged using the remaining grid rows, while omitting the central portions in intermediate (diagonal) directions to preserve symmetry and circulation."}
Concept: Ritual geometry: auspiciousness arises from proportion, symmetry, and regulated voids/omissions in the plan.
Application: Use directional rules to avoid blocking diagonal centers; maintain balanced circulation and visual hierarchy at gateways.
Khanda Section: Vastu-shastra (Temple Architecture and Mandala Planning)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A temple-plan mandala drawn as a square grid with forty processional streets indicated; gateways on cardinal sides show ornament bands, while diagonal-center cells are left blank/omitted.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural aesthetic showing a stylized vāstu-puruṣa maṇḍala grid, bold flat colors, thick outlines; cardinal gateways ornamented, diagonal centers left as clear voids; priests measuring with cords.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting with gold-leaf accents highlighting the main gateway ornaments (dvāraśobhā) on a geometric mandala; rich reds/greens; sacred architecture diagram presented like a consecration chart.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style instructional illustration: clean linework of a square mandala grid labeled vīthī counts and omitted diagonal centers; subtle pastel washes; architect (sthapati) with measuring rod.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature of an architect presenting a detailed plan on paper to a patron; precise grid, annotated gateways, diagonal-center omissions; fine borders and architectural detailing."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: syur dikṣu = syuḥ + dikṣu; dvārashobhopaśobhāḥ = dvāra-śobhā-upaśobhāḥ (compound); vilopya is ktvānta from vi+lup.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 29 (Vāstu/mandala and dvāra-vidhi context)
FAQs
It gives a Vāstu-planning rule: the prescribed count/placement of streets (vīthī) and how to distribute gate-ornaments (śobhā/upaśobhā) on the grid while omitting the central segment in certain directional placements.
Beyond theology, it preserves practical architectural and urban-design norms—street grids, directional planning, and entrance ornamentation—showing the Agni Purana’s coverage of applied sciences like Vāstu-śāstra.
Correct directional layout and regulated entrances are treated as maintaining auspicious flow (śubha) in sacred/royal spaces; following Vāstu injunctions is traditionally held to support harmony, prosperity, and ritual purity of the site.