Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 14
अध्याय ७३: सूर्यपूजाविधिः
Sūrya-pūjā-vidhi — The Procedure for Sun-Worship
दले पूर्वादिके ऽग्न्यादौ अं भौमं शं शनैश् चरं रं राहुं कें केतवे च गन्धाद्यैश् च खखोल्कया
dale pūrvādike 'gnyādau aṃ bhaumaṃ śaṃ śanaiś caraṃ raṃ rāhuṃ keṃ ketave ca gandhādyaiś ca khakholkayā
Pada kelopak (dala) di arah timur dan kelopak-kelopak yang lain—bermula dari arah tenggara (suku Agni)—hendaklah diletakkan nyāsa suku-biji: “aṁ” bagi Bhauma (Marikh), “śaṁ” bagi Śanaiścara (Zuhal), “raṁ” bagi Rāhu, dan “keṁ” bagi Ketu; lalu dipuja dengan wangian dan persembahan lain, beserta formula “khakholkā”.
Lord Agni (instructional narration to the sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s ritual manuals)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Jyotisha","secondary_vidya":"Vastu","practical_application":"Mandala-pūjā nyāsa: placing graha bījas into specific directional petals (dala) of a lotus maṇḍala, aligning planetary forces with dikpāla-oriented space; offering gandha and upacāras with an accompanying formula.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Directional Petal Nyāsa of Mars, Saturn, Rāhu, Ketu with Offerings and ‘Khakholkā’ Formula","lookup_keywords":["dala-nyāsa","bhauma aṁ","śanaiścara śaṁ","rāhu raṁ","ketu keṁ"],"quick_summary":"In a lotus maṇḍala, place the bījas for Mars, Saturn, Rāhu, and Ketu into specified directional petals (starting east and SE/Agni quarter sequence), then worship with fragrance and standard offerings, using the auxiliary formula ‘khakholkā’."}
Concept: Bandhu between cosmos and built/ritual space: planetary powers are ‘installed’ through ordered spatial nyāsa, making the maṇḍala a functional model of the universe.
Application: Design and execute graha-nyāsa in domestic/temple rites; useful for śānti, praveśa (auspicious entry), and remedial worship where spatial correctness is essential.
Khanda Section: Jyotisha & Vastu (Dikpala-nyasa / Graha-nyasa in Mandala-Puja)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A lotus maṇḍala with multiple petals labeled by directions; bīja syllables aṁ, śaṁ, raṁ, keṁ placed in designated petals; offerings of fragrance and flowers arranged around, with a small inscription ‘khakholkā’.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: large stylized lotus maṇḍala on the floor, petals painted with directional colors, bīja syllables in bold Malayalam-like decorative Sanskrit script, priest offering gandha; subtle graha symbols for Mars, Saturn, Rāhu, Ketu.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: ornate lotus yantra with gold-leaf outlines on petals, bīja syllables embossed, offering bowls of sandal paste and flowers; rich jewel tones and symmetrical composition.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: technical diagram aesthetic—compass directions, petal numbering, clear placement of aṁ/śaṁ/raṁ/keṁ, side notes for upacāras (gandha etc.) and the auxiliary formula ‘khakholkā’.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: top-down view of a ritual floor with a lotus diagram, attendants holding perfume and flowers, fine calligraphy of bījas in each petal, delicate borders and architectural interior."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shuddha Sarang","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ऽग्न्यादौ = अग्नि-आदौ (i + ā → yā); गन्धाद्यैश् = गन्धाद्यैः + च (visarga before ca).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 73 (graha-śānti, nyāsa, dik-krama, upacāra offerings)
FAQs
It gives a graha-nyāsa instruction: assign specific bīja-syllables to Mars, Saturn, Rāhu, and Ketu in the directional petals of a ritual lotus/mandala and worship them with standard offerings like fragrance.
It exemplifies the Agni Purana’s practical ritual technology—combining Jyotiṣa (planets), Vāstu-style directional mapping, and Tantric nyāsa/mantra deployment—alongside its many other subjects.
Correctly placing and worshipping the grahas in a mandala is traditionally held to harmonize planetary influences, remove obstacles, and support ritual purity and auspicious outcomes.