Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 7
Chapter 246 — वास्तुलक्षणम्
Characteristics of Building-sites / Vāstu
महेन्द्रश् च रविः सत्यो भृशः पूर्वे ऽथ दक्षिणे गृहक्षतो ऽर्यमधृती गन्धर्वाश्चाथ वारुणे
mahendraś ca raviḥ satyo bhṛśaḥ pūrve 'tha dakṣiṇe gṛhakṣato 'ryamadhṛtī gandharvāścātha vāruṇe
ପୂର୍ବ ଦିଗରେ ମହେନ୍ଦ୍ର, ରବି (ସୂର୍ଯ୍ୟ), ସତ୍ୟ ଓ ଭୃଶ ଅଛନ୍ତି। ପରେ ଦକ୍ଷିଣ ଦିଗରେ ଗୃହକ୍ଷତ, ଆର୍ୟମନ ଓ ଧୃତି ଅଛନ୍ତି। ଏବଂ ବାରୁଣ (ପଶ୍ଚିମ) ଦିଗରେ ଗନ୍ଧର୍ବମାନେ ମଧ୍ୟ ଅଛନ୍ତି।
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha, standard Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Jyotisha","secondary_vidya":"Vastu","practical_application":"Dikpāla/devatā assignment by cardinal directions for vāstu-nyāsa and auspicious orientation decisions (entry, altar, room functions).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Pūrva–Dakṣiṇa–Paścima (Varuṇa) dik-devatā listing","lookup_keywords":["Mahendra","Ravi","Satya","Aryaman","Varuṇa-quarter"],"quick_summary":"Enumerates deities stationed in the east, south, and Varuṇa-quarter (west) for directional mapping used in ritual and architectural orientation."}
Concept: Dik-devatā correspondence as a practical cosmology for ordering space and action.
Application: Apply the list to nyāsa and to avoid directional conflicts in planning (e.g., aligning key functions with benefic quarters).
Khanda Section: Jyotisha / Vastu-Dikpalaka-Nyasa (Directional deities and placements)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A directional compass diagram with the east labeled Mahendra–Ravi–Satya–Bhṛśa, the south labeled Gṛhakṣata–Aryaman–Dhṛti, and the west (Varuṇa quarter) marked with Gandharvas, shown as guardian figures around a central plan.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, circular compass around a square vāstu plan, Indra and Sūrya in the east with iconic halos, Gandharvas in the west with instruments, muted temple palette.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, ornate compass mandala with gold accents, Sūrya radiant in the east, Indra regal, Gandharvas in the west with veena, rich reds and greens.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style instructional plate, neat compass with Sanskrit labels, small deity portraits at each direction, emphasis on clarity and symmetry.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature of scholars presenting a directional chart to a patron, fine calligraphy for quarters, delicate depiction of Sūrya and Gandharvas."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bilawal","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: Resolved: mahendraś→mahendraḥ; pūrve 'tha split; gṛhakṣato 'ryamadhṛtī split as gṛhakṣataḥ + aryama + dhṛtī; gandharvāścātha split as gandharvāḥ + ca + atha.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 246 (dikpāla/vāstu-nyāsa sequence)
FAQs
It provides a directional assignment (dik-vinyāsa) of specific deities/attendants to the east, south, and Varuṇa’s quarter (west), useful for Vāstu planning, mandala/nyāsa, and ritual orientation.
By cataloging cosmological and ritual-architectural data—names of deities linked to compass directions—it functions like a reference list supporting applied disciplines such as Vāstu, temple ritual procedure, and Jyotiṣa-based orientation.
Correctly honoring and placing directional powers is traditionally held to harmonize space, remove directional afflictions (dik-doṣa), and support purity and auspiciousness in rites and dwellings.