Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 24
Chapter 93 — वास्तुपूजादिविधानम्
Procedure for Vāstu-worship and Related Rites
आपाय शिवकोणाधः तद्वत्साय च तत्स्थले क्रमाद्दद्याद्दधिक्षीरं पूजयित्वा विधानतः
āpāya śivakoṇādhaḥ tadvatsāya ca tatsthale kramāddadyāddadhikṣīraṃ pūjayitvā vidhānataḥ
Di bahagian bawah, pada suku Āpāya (arah selatan) dan di bawah sudut Śiva; demikian juga di tempat yang sama untuk anak lembu, hendaklah menurut tertib mempersembahkan dadih dan susu, setelah melakukan pemujaan menurut aturan yang ditetapkan.
Lord Agni (in instruction mode to the sage Vasiṣṭha, as per the common Agni Purana dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Puja-vidhi","secondary_vidya":"Vastu","practical_application":"Directional naivedya/bali placement in a worship space, ensuring offerings are made to the correct quarter/corner loci (āpāya/south and śiva-koṇa) in the prescribed sequence.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Directional offering of curds and milk at Āpāya and Śiva-corner (with calf-spot)","lookup_keywords":["āpāya","śiva-koṇa","dadhi","kṣīra","naivedya-krama"],"quick_summary":"Offer curds and milk in sequence at the southern/āpāya quarter beneath the Śiva-corner, and at the designated calf-spot there, after completing worship according to rule."}
Concept: Ritual correctness (vidhi) and spatial order (dik-krama) as a means of maintaining auspiciousness and averting inauspicious forces.
Application: Use consistent directional mapping in home/temple worship so offerings align with the intended devatā/guardian loci.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Ritual worship procedures; directional offerings and bali/naivedya sequence)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritual ground marked with directions; the worshipper places bowls of curds and milk at the southern quarter beneath the Śiva-corner, with a small indicated calf-spot at the same locus.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, flat vibrant colors, ritual mandala with dik markers, priest placing white curds and milk vessels at the southern corner under Śiva-koṇa, sacred lamps, minimal background.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-leaf accents on ritual vessels and lamps, central altar with directional grid, priest offering curds and milk at the south corner, ornate borders, rich reds and greens.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, fine linework, instructional clarity: labeled directions, Śiva-corner indicated, bowls of dadhi and kṣīra placed in sequence, calm indoor shrine setting.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed floor pattern showing compass directions, attendant holding vessels, priest placing curds and milk at the southern corner, delicate textiles and architectural niche."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: śivakoṇādhaḥ → śiva-koṇa-adhaḥ (avyayībhāva with adhaḥ); tatsthale → tat-sthale; kramāddadyāt → kramāt dadyāt; dadhikṣīram → dadhi-kṣīram (dvandva).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 93 (Pūjā-vidhi: bali/naivedya krama and dik-pūjā context)
FAQs
It prescribes a directional, step-by-step offering procedure—specifically offering curds (dadhi) and milk (kṣīra) at designated ritual locations (Āpāya quarter/Śiva-corner), after performing pūjā according to rule.
It exemplifies the text’s practical ritual manual aspect—recording precise spatial (direction/corner) and procedural (sequence, prescribed rule) details for worship, alongside its many other domains like polity, medicine, and aesthetics.
By offering pure foods like milk and curds in the correct place and order after proper worship, the practitioner aligns with śāstric injunctions, supporting ritual purity (śuddhi) and accruing merit (puṇya) through disciplined observance.