Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 41
The Description of the Sarvatobhadra Maṇḍala (सर्वतोभद्रमण्डलकथनम्)
यथोक्तं व्यूहमखिलमेकस्मिन् पङ्कजे क्रमात् यष्टव्यमिति यत्नेन प्रचेता मन्यते ऽध्वरं
yathoktaṃ vyūhamakhilamekasmin paṅkaje kramāt yaṣṭavyamiti yatnena pracetā manyate 'dhvaraṃ
ਪ੍ਰਚੇਤਾ ਦਾ ਮਤ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਇੱਕ ਹੀ ਪੰਕਜ-ਯੰਤਰ ਵਿੱਚ ਜਿਵੇਂ ਕਿਹਾ ਗਿਆ ਹੈ ਤਿਵੇਂ ਹੀ ਸਾਰਾ ਵ੍ਯੂਹ ਕ੍ਰਮਵਾਰ ਸਜਾ ਕੇ, ਯਤਨ ਨਾਲ ਅਧ੍ਵਰ (ਯਜ੍ਞ) ਕਰਨਾ ਚਾਹੀਦਾ ਹੈ।
Lord Agni (narrating the ritual procedure to the sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s instructional mode)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Designing and executing a yajna/puja mandala where the entire vyuha (ritual formation/array of deities, directions, and placements) is installed sequentially within a single lotus-diagram for correctness and efficacy.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Pankaja-mandala Vyuha-Yajna Krama (Pracetas-mata)","lookup_keywords":["pankaja-mandala","vyuha","yajna-vidhi","krama","Pracetas"],"quick_summary":"Perform the sacrifice by placing the complete prescribed vyuha step-by-step within one lotus mandala; accuracy of sequence and layout is treated as essential to the rite."}
Concept: Ritual efficacy depends on faithful replication of prescribed cosmic order (vyuha) through exact sequence (krama) and complete layout (akhila) in the mandala.
Application: Use checklists for placements, directions, and steps; complete the full array within one diagram rather than scattering elements across multiple diagrams.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Yajna & Mandala-Vyuha Ritual Procedure)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritual ground with a single large lotus-diagram; priests place offerings and invoke deities in a precise clockwise sequence, completing the full vyuha within the lotus petals and center.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, flat vibrant colors, a large lotus mandala on the floor with concentric petals, priests in white dhoti performing yajna, small deity emblems in each petal, sacred fire at center, ornate borders","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-leaf highlights on the lotus mandala and ritual vessels, central fire-altar glowing, priests placing offerings in sequence, rich reds and greens, decorative arch motifs framing the scene","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, clean linework and soft shading, instructional clarity: labeled petals/positions of the vyuha within a single lotus, priest demonstrating step-by-step placement, minimal background","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed courtyard yajna scene, geometric lotus diagram on carpet-like ground, attendants holding ladles and vessels, sequential action depicted with fine brushwork and architectural backdrop"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: यथोक्तम् = यथा + उक्तम् (अव्ययीभाव). व्यूहमखिलम् is read as व्यूहम् + अखिलम्. यष्टव्यमिति = यष्टव्यम् + इति. मन्यते ऽध्वरं = मन्यते + अध्वरम् (ऽ = अ).
Related Themes: Agni Purana Puja-vidhi sections on mandala, nyasa, and yajna-krama (within the same khanda)
FAQs
It teaches that the entire ritual formation (vyūha)—the ordered placement and sequence of worship—must be executed precisely within a single lotus-maṇḍala, following the prescribed steps.
It exemplifies the Agni Purana’s manual-like coverage of applied ritual technology—diagrammatic worship (maṇḍala), procedural sequencing (krama), and authoritative citations (Pracetas)—alongside its many other disciplines.
Performing the sacrifice carefully and in the correct sequence is presented as essential for the rite’s efficacy, safeguarding its merit (puṇya) and ensuring the intended sacred outcome through proper ritual order.