Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 21
Chapter 49 — मत्स्यादिलक्षणवर्णनम्
Description of the Characteristics of Matsya and the Other Incarnations
लक्ष्मीः सरस्वती कार्ये विश्वरूपो ऽथ दक्षिणे मुद्गरं च तथा पाशं शक्तिशूलं शरं करे
lakṣmīḥ sarasvatī kārye viśvarūpo 'tha dakṣiṇe mudgaraṃ ca tathā pāśaṃ śaktiśūlaṃ śaraṃ kare
Lakṣmī dan Sarasvatī hendaklah ditempatkan di sebelah kiri; dan di sebelah kanan ialah Viśvarūpa. Di tangannya (ditampilkan memegang) mudgara (pemukul/pengetuk), demikian juga pāśa (tali jerat), śakti (lembing), śūla (trisula), dan anak panah.
Lord Agni (narrating iconographic rules to Sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Shilpa","secondary_vidya":"Vastu","practical_application":"Side-placement (pārśva-vinyāsa) of Lakṣmī and Sarasvatī and right-side Viśvarūpa, plus attribute list for the right-side figure’s hands (mace, noose, spear, trident, arrow).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Pārśva-devatā Vinyāsa: Lakṣmī–Sarasvatī (Left) and Viśvarūpa (Right) with Ayudhas","lookup_keywords":["Lakshmi","Sarasvati","Vishvarupa","pārśva-devatā","mudgara-pāśa"],"quick_summary":"Place Lakṣmī and Sarasvatī on the left flank; place Viśvarūpa on the right, holding mace, noose, spear, trident, and arrow—standardizing a composite icon’s attendants and identifiers."}
Weapon Type: Mace, noose, spear, trident, arrow
Concept: Completeness of worship through integrating śrī (prosperity) and vidyā (knowledge) alongside a universal/guardian aspect (viśvarūpa).
Application: In altar/temple design and dhyāna, flank the main deity with Lakṣmī and Sarasvatī to invoke auspiciousness and learning, while Viśvarūpa with weapons signifies protection and totality.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Murti-lakshana (Iconography of deities and attendant powers)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A central deity flanked on the left by Lakṣmī and Sarasvatī, and on the right by Viśvarūpa holding mace, noose, spear, trident, and arrow; balanced temple-icon arrangement.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, triadic flank composition: Lakṣmī and Sarasvatī on left with graceful stance, Viśvarūpa on right with mudgara-pāśa-śakti-śūla-śara, bold outlines, sacred lamps, warm earthy palette","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central icon with gold prabhā, left attendants Lakṣmī and Sarasvatī richly jeweled, right Viśvarūpa with embossed gold weapons, ornate arch and gem-like detailing","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear side-placement diagram feel, Lakṣmī and Sarasvatī left, Viśvarūpa right with labeled-looking weapons, delicate shading, refined ornamentation","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, symmetrical devotional court scene, two goddesses on left, Viśvarūpa on right with detailed weapons, architectural niche and patterned textiles, fine facial expressions"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: विश्वरूपो ऽथ → विश्वरूपः + अथ; weapon list in accusative as items to be held; शक्तिशूलं treated as द्वन्द्व (शक्ति + शूल).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 49.19–49.20 (attendant placement and ayudha lists)
FAQs
It gives pratimā-lakṣaṇa (iconographic specification): which attendant deities/figures are placed to the left and right, and which weapons/attributes must be shown in the deity’s hand for correct temple-image design and worship.
Beyond mythology, it preserves applied temple-arts knowledge—precise rules for sculptural layout and divine attributes—showing the Agni Purana as a practical manual for ritual, iconography, and temple culture.
Correct iconographic placement and attributes are treated as essential for invoking the intended divine presence (āveśa) and ensuring the worship yields proper merit (puṇya) without ritual defect (doṣa).