Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 5
The Description of the Sarvatobhadra Maṇḍala (सर्वतोभद्रमण्डलकथनम्)
विभज्य भ्रामयेच्छेषं चतुःक्षेत्रन्तु वर्तुलं प्रथमं कर्णिकाक्षेत्रं केशराणां द्वितीयकम् महर्जनस्तपः सत्यं तथाग्निष्टोममेव च अत्यग्निष्टोमकं चोक्थं षोडशीं वाजपेयकं
vibhajya bhrāmayeccheṣaṃ catuḥkṣetrantu vartulaṃ prathamaṃ karṇikākṣetraṃ keśarāṇāṃ dvitīyakam maharjanastapaḥ satyaṃ tathāgniṣṭomameva ca atyagniṣṭomakaṃ cokthaṃ ṣoḍaśīṃ vājapeyakaṃ
ବିଭାଜନ କରି ଶେଷ ଭାଗକୁ ଭ୍ରମାଇ ଚାରି କ୍ଷେତ୍ରବିଶିଷ୍ଟ ବୃତ୍ତାକାର ବିନ୍ୟାସ କରିବ। ପ୍ରଥମ କର୍ଣିକା-କ୍ଷେତ୍ର (ମଧ୍ୟଭାଗ) ଏବଂ ଦ୍ୱିତୀୟ କେଶର-କ୍ଷେତ୍ର (ପତ୍ର/ଦଳ ଭାଗ) ହେବ। ସେଠାରେ ମହଃ, ଜନଃ, ତପଃ, ସତ୍ୟ; ତଥା ଅଗ୍ନିଷ୍ଟୋମ; ଏବଂ ଅତ୍ୟଗ୍ନିଷ୍ଟୋମ, ଉକ୍ଥ୍ୟ, ଷୋଡଶୀ, ବାଜପେୟ—ଏହି ନାମ/ଯଜ୍ଞଚିହ୍ନଗୁଡ଼ିକୁ ବିନ୍ୟାସ କରିବ।
Lord Agni (in dialogue framework, teaching the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Advanced mandala segmentation: defining karṇikā (pericarp) and keśara (petal) fields and inscribing higher-loka names and Soma-sacrifice categories as consecratory labels within the yantra.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Karṇikā–Keśara fields: Mahas–Satya lokas and Agniṣṭoma-class yajñas","lookup_keywords":["karṇikā-kṣetra","keśara","Mahas Jana Tapa Satya","Agniṣṭoma","Vājapeya"],"quick_summary":"After dividing and arranging the remaining circular fields into central and petal zones, inscribe the higher planes (Mahas, Jana, Tapa, Satya) and the Soma-yajña types (Agniṣṭoma, Atyagniṣṭoma, Ukthya, Ṣoḍaśin, Vājapeya) as part of the mandala’s consecratory taxonomy."}
Concept: Ritual encyclopedism: śrauta sacrifice categories and cosmological lokas are treated as ‘names/powers’ to be stationed in sacred geometry.
Application: When constructing yantras for elaborate pūjā/homa, use these inscriptions to align the rite with śrauta authority and cosmological hierarchy.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Yantra-Mandala-Vidhi (Ritual diagram construction and sacrificial classifications)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A circular lotus mandala divided into central karṇikā and surrounding keśara petals; within segments are written Mahas, Jana, Tapa, Satya and the names of Soma sacrifices like Agniṣṭoma and Vājapeya.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, circular lotus with bold segment divisions, central pericarp highlighted, petal ring filled with Sanskrit labels for lokas and yajñas, traditional palette and ornamental frame, sacred-diagram emphasis","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, gilded lotus mandala with raised gold outlines for karṇikā and petals, inscriptions of Mahas/Jana/Tapa/Satya and Agniṣṭoma etc. in decorative script, rich maroon background, temple-art finish","mysore_prompt":"Mysore, didactic diagram: crisp concentric zoning labeled karṇikā and keśara, neatly written lists of lokas and yajña types in each segment, minimalistic background for clarity","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, calligrapher-priest inscribing Sanskrit names into a lotus diagram on parchment, fine brushwork, marginal annotations explaining yajña categories, subdued elegant colors"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: bh्रामयेच्छेषं = bhrāmayet śeṣam; चतुःक्षेत्रन्तु = catuḥ-kṣetram tu; तथाग्निष्टोममेव = tathā agniṣṭomam eva; अत्यग्निष्टोमकं = ati-agniṣṭomakam; चोक्थं = ca uktham.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 29 (mandala division sequence; earlier padma-kṣetra and later placements)
FAQs
It gives a technical instruction for constructing/organizing a circular ritual mandala into four compartments, distinguishing the central karṇikā (pericarp) zone and the surrounding keśara (petal) zone, and it specifies key cosmological and Soma-yajña designations to be placed/recognized within that scheme.
In one compact verse it bridges sacred geometry (mandala zoning), cosmology (Mahas–Satya worlds), and śrauta ritual taxonomy (Agniṣṭoma through Vājapeya), illustrating how the Agni Purana catalogs multiple knowledge-systems—diagrammatic ritual practice and Vedic sacrifice classification—side by side.
Correct mandala construction and accurate ritual naming are treated as essential for efficacy (siddhi) and purity of worship/sacrifice; aligning the rite with cosmic levels and established yajña forms is understood to enhance merit (puṇya) and ensure the intended sanctifying result.