Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 23

Agnisthāpana-vidhi (Procedure for Establishing the Sacred Fire) and Protective Īśāna-kalpa Homa Sequences

Devanagari script

दूर्वाक्षतैश् च पर्यन्तं परिधिस्थाननुक्रमात् इन्द्रादीशानपर्यन्तान्तान्विष्टरस्थाननुक्रमात्

Transliteration

dūrvākṣataiś ca paryantaṃ paridhisthānanukramāt indrādīśānaparyantāntānviṣṭarasthānanukramāt

Translation

Dengan rumput dūrvā dan beras utuh (akṣata), hendaklah (pemujaan/penandaan) dilakukan mengelilingi seluruh batas, menurut turutan kedudukan pada perimeter. Dan hendaklah (para dewa) ditempatkan bermula dari Indra hingga Īśāna, menurut turutan tempat duduk (viṣṭara) mereka.

Word by Word

• दूर्वा-अक्षतैः: with dūrvā grass and unbroken rice grains
• दूर्वा-अक्षतैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दूर्वा (प्रातिपदिक) + अक्षत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्वन्द्व-समास; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (करण), बहुवचन

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय (conjunction)

• पर्यन्तम्: up to the end/limit
• पर्यन्तम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पर्यन्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म/अवधि), एकवचन; अवध्यर्थ (up to the limit)

• परिधि-स्थान-अनुक्रमात्: according to the sequence of the paridhi-positions
• परिधि-स्थान-अनुक्रमात्: Hetu/Apadana (हेतु/अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: परिधि (प्रातिपदिक) + स्थान (प्रातिपदिक) + अनुक्रम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास; पुंलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी-विभक्ति (अपादान/हेतु), एकवचन; ‘अनुक्रमात्’ = क्रम-हेतु/क्रमानुसारात्

• इन्द्र-आदि-ईशान-पर्यन्त-अन्तान्: (the deities) from Indra up to Īśāna, as endpoints
• इन्द्र-आदि-ईशान-पर्यन्त-अन्तान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इन्द्र (प्रातिपदिक) + आदि (अव्यय/प्रातिपदिक) + ईशान (प्रातिपदिक) + पर्यन्त (प्रातिपदिक) + अन्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: बहुपद-तत्पुरुष (आदि/पर्यन्त-प्रयोग); पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• विष्टार-स्थान-अनुक्रमात्: according to the sequence of the seat/altar-positions
• विष्टार-स्थान-अनुक्रमात्: Hetu/Apadana (हेतु/अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विष्टार (प्रातिपदिक) + स्थान (प्रातिपदिक) + अनुक्रम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास; पुंलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी-विभक्ति (हेतु/अपादान), एकवचन

Speaker

Lord Agni (in instruction to the sage Vasiṣṭha)

Vidya Category

Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Puja-vidhi","practical_application":"Mandala/paridhi marking and dikpāla-sthāpana using dūrvā and akṣata in correct perimeter and seat order (Indra to Īśāna) for directional protection and completeness of the ritual field.","sutra_style":true}

Encyclopedic Reference

Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Paridhi-paryanta-pūjana with Dūrvā–Akṣata and Dikpāla-krama (Indra to Īśāna)","lookup_keywords":["dūrvā","akṣata","dikpāla","Indra","Īśāna"],"quick_summary":"Mark/worship the boundary all around with dūrvā and unbroken rice, then install the directional deities in their prescribed seat sequence from Indra through Īśāna to secure the mandala."}

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Cosmic order is replicated through mandala-krama: perimeter sanctification and dikpāla installation create a protected microcosm.

Application: Use simple auspicious substances (dūrvā, akṣata) with correct dik-krama to stabilize attention, ensure completeness, and avert directional doṣa.

Khanda Section

Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Mandala/Nyasa and Deva-sthāpana)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Visual Art Cues

Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritual mandala with a perimeter ring being dotted with dūrvā and akṣata; around it, eight/nine directional seats labeled, with Indra placed first and Īśāna last in sequence.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, circular mandala with green dūrvā and white akṣata accents, stylized dikpālas at cardinal/intercardinal points, clear seat order, sacred geometry emphasized","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-outlined mandala perimeter, akṣata rendered as pearl-like dots, dikpālas in ornate attire around the ring, rich reds and greens","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional diagram aesthetic: perimeter positions numbered, dūrvā/akṣata placement shown stepwise, dikpāla seats from Indra to Īśāna clearly indicated","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, top-view ritual layout with attendants placing dūrvā and rice grains, small labeled thrones for dikpālas around the mandala, delicate detailing"}

Audio Atmosphere

Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyan","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}

Sandhi Resolution Notes

Sandhi Resolution Notes: दूर्वाक्षतैश् → दूर्वा-अक्षतैः; परिधिस्थाननुक्रमात् → परिधि-स्थान-अनुक्रमात्; इन्द्रादीशानपर्यन्तान्तान् → इन्द्र-आदि-ईशान-पर्यन्त-अन्तान्; अन्तान्विष्टर... → अन्तान् + विष्टार-स्थान-अनुक्रमात्.

Cross References

Related Themes: Agni Purana 75 (Maṇḍala/nyāsa and devatā-sthāpana sequences)

Characters & Entities

• Indra
• Īśāna
• Dūrvā
• Akṣata
• Dikpālas (implied)

FAQs

What technical or ritual knowledge (Vidya) is imparted in this verse?

It teaches āvaraṇa/mandala procedure: marking or worshipping the perimeter with dūrvā and akṣata, and installing the directional deities (starting from Indra) in their prescribed seat-order up to Īśāna.

How does this verse contribute to the 'Encyclopedic' nature of the Agni Purana?

It preserves a precise, technical ritual protocol—directional sequencing, perimeter stations, and seat-placement logic—showing the Purana’s coverage of practical liturgy and temple/mandala procedure alongside theology.

What is the spiritual or karmic significance of this specific instruction?

Correct directional placement and pure offerings (dūrvā, akṣata) are held to stabilize the ritual field, remove obstacles, and ensure the rite yields auspicious, merit-producing results through orderly deity-invocation.