Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 14
Chapter 41 — शिलाविन्यासविधानं
The Procedure for Laying the Stones / Foundation Setting
पद्मं चैव महापद्मं मकरं कच्छपं तथा कुमुदञ्च तथा नन्दं पद्मं शङ्खञ्च पद्मिनीं
padmaṃ caiva mahāpadmaṃ makaraṃ kacchapaṃ tathā kumudañca tathā nandaṃ padmaṃ śaṅkhañca padminīṃ
तसेच पद्म, महापद्म, मकर आणि कच्छप; तसेच कुमुद व नन्द; पुन्हा पद्म, शंख आणि पद्मिनी—यांचाही विन्यास/आलेखन करावा.
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Shilpa","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Use auspicious emblems (maṅgala-cihna) in mandala/altar decoration or ritual diagramming—lotus variants, makara, tortoise, conch, and named motifs (Nanda, Padminī)—to encode protection, prosperity, and deity-presence in the worship space.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Maṅgala-cihna Set: Padma, Mahāpadma, Makara, Kacchapa, Kumuda, Nanda, Śaṅkha, Padminī","lookup_keywords":["padma","makara","kacchapa","śaṅkha","maṅgala-cihna"],"quick_summary":"Depict or arrange a standard set of auspicious symbols—lotus forms, makara, tortoise, conch, and named motifs—serving as protective and prosperity-bearing markers within pūjā layouts and mandalas."}
Concept: Symbolic cognition: forms (cihna) function as carriers of meaning and invocation-supports, making the ritual space ‘readable’ as a sacred cosmos.
Application: In pūjā/maṇḍala drawing, include standardized auspicious motifs to reinforce intent (śrī, rakṣā, saubhāgya) and to maintain traditional correctness.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Ritual Worship & Iconography: auspicious emblems/attributes)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritual mandala or altar decorated with a sequence of auspicious emblems: multiple lotus types, makara, tortoise, conch, and named floral motifs (Nanda, Padminī) arranged as sacred symbols.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, ornamental panel showing padma and mahāpadma lotuses, a stylized makara, a kacchapa tortoise, kumuda lotus, conch, and floral motifs labeled Nanda and Padminī, bold outlines, temple-border aesthetics","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, icon-like arrangement of auspicious symbols around a central lotus, heavy gold leaf on conch and lotus petals, rich reds and greens, symmetrical devotional ornamentation","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clean instructional plate of maṅgala symbols with precise linework: different lotus varieties, makara profile, tortoise top view, conch spiral; soft shading and clear separations","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, refined decorative study page with naturalistic lotus renderings, a fantastical makara, detailed tortoise, conch shell, arranged like an illustrated catalogue with delicate borders"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Hamsadhwani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: चैव = च + एव; कुमुदञ्च = कुमुदम् + च; शङ्खञ्च = शङ्खम् + च;
Related Themes: Agni Purana 41 (mandala/pujā ornament lists); Agni Purana śilpa/cihna/maṅgala related passages (general)
FAQs
It lists specific auspicious emblems (mangala-chihna) such as lotus-forms, conch, makara, and tortoise to be depicted/placed in the context of ritual worship and sacred iconographic arrangement.
Beyond theology, the Agni Purana catalogs practical ritual-technical details—standardized motifs and symbols used in worship, temple art, and sacred design—showing its role as a compendium of applied religious culture.
Employing prescribed auspicious symbols is understood to invite śrī (prosperity) and maṅgala (well-being), supporting purity of worship and the devotee’s merit through correct, tradition-aligned ritual presentation.