Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 6
वागीश्वरीपूजा
Worship of Vāgīśvarī
चन्द्रमसायुतमिति ञ कृतमिति ख वीथिका पदिका कर्या पद्मान्यष्टौ चतुष्पदे वीथिका पदिका वाह्ये द्वाराणि द्विपदानि तु
candramasāyutamiti ña kṛtamiti kha vīthikā padikā karyā padmānyaṣṭau catuṣpade vīthikā padikā vāhye dvārāṇi dvipadāni tu
(ଯୋଜନା-ସମୂହ) ଅକ୍ଷର-ଚିହ୍ନରେ ନିର୍ଦ୍ଦିଷ୍ଟ— ‘ଞ’ ଅର୍ଥ ‘ଚନ୍ଦ୍ରମସାୟୁତ’ ଏବଂ ‘ଖ’ ଅର୍ଥ ‘କୃତ/ନିର୍ମିତ’। ଚତୁଷ୍ପଦ ବିନ୍ୟାସରେ ବୀଥିକା ଓ ପଦିକା ଅଷ୍ଟ ‘ପଦ୍ମ’ ବିଭାଗ ସହ କରିବା ଉଚିତ। ବାହାରେ ବୀଥିକା–ପଦିକା ପଟ୍ଟିରେ ଦ୍ୱିପଦ-ମାନ ଅନୁସାରେ ଦ୍ୱାର ସ୍ଥାପନ କରିବା।
Lord Agni (in instruction to Sage Vasiṣṭha, Agni Purana’s standard dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Mandala-based ground-plan drafting: laying out circumambulatory lanes (vīthikā/padikā), lotus-divisions, and door spacing for a catuṣpada plan.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Catuṣpada plan: vīthikā–padikā with eight padma-divisions and dvipada door spacing","lookup_keywords":["catuṣpada","vīthikā","padikā","padma divisions","dvipada doors"],"quick_summary":"For a four-footed (catuṣpada) layout, establish vīthikā and padikā lanes segmented into eight padma units; place exterior doors along this belt using dvipada spacing/measure."}
Concept: Ritual space becomes efficacious through correct measure (māna) and ordered segmentation (maṇḍala/padma).
Application: Use standardized modules and spacing to avoid inauspicious asymmetry in sacred and civic construction.
Khanda Section: Vastu-shastra (Architecture & Temple/Building Layout)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A temple or yantra ground-plan drawn as a square grid with an outer belt labeled vīthikā and padikā, subdivided into eight lotus-like segments; small door icons placed at dvipada intervals on the exterior.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural aesthetic showing a stylized vāstu-maṇḍala diagram on palm-leaf/wooden board, bold flat colors, clear outer vīthikā–padikā ring, eight padma divisions, door markers on the perimeter, traditional ornamental borders","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting of a sacred architect (sthapati) presenting a gilded vāstu-maṇḍala: raised gold outlining the outer ring and eight padma divisions, jewel-like door emblems on the perimeter, rich reds and greens, temple ambience","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style instructional illustration: clean linework of catuṣpada plan, labeled vīthikā/padikā, eight padma segments, dvipada door spacing indicated with measurement ticks, muted palette and delicate shading","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature of a court architect drafting a geometric plan on paper: precise grid, outer walkway ring, eight lotus divisions, doors on the edge; fine brush detail, marginal notes, rulers and compasses"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: Sandhi resolved minimally: candramasāyutamiti → चन्द्रमसा + आयुतम् + इति; padmānyaṣṭau → पद्मानि + अष्टौ; dvārāṇi dvipadāni kept separate; letter-markers ña/kha treated as वर्ण-निर्देश.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 318 (Vāstu/maṇḍala-vidhi context); Agni Purana vāstu sections on māna-pramāṇa and dvāra-lakṣaṇa
FAQs
It gives a Vāstu-śāstra rule for laying out peripheral passages (vīthikā, padikā) using an eight-padma modular division in a catuṣpada plan, and it prescribes a dvipada-based rule for placing doors along the exterior belt.
Beyond theology, the Agni Purana preserves applied sciences like architecture—here, technical planning terminology, modular divisions, and proportional door-placement rules typical of classical Vāstu manuals.
Correct spatial ordering (proper paths, divisions, and door placement) is traditionally held to harmonize the dwelling/temple with auspicious cosmic principles, supporting purity, stability, and well-being for occupants and worship.