Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 1
Chapter 41 — शिलाविन्यासविधानं
The Procedure for Laying the Stones / Foundation Setting
इत्य् आदिमहापुराणे आग्नेये अर्घ्यदानकथनं नाम चत्वारिंशो ऽध्यायः अथैकचत्वारिंशो ऽध्यायः शिलाविन्यासविधानं भगवानुवाच पादप्रतिष्ठां वक्षामि शिलाविन्यासलक्षणं अग्रतो मण्डपः कार्यः कुण्डलानान्तु चतुष्टयं
ity ādimahāpurāṇe āgneye arghyadānakathanaṃ nāma catvāriṃśo 'dhyāyaḥ athaikacatvāriṃśo 'dhyāyaḥ śilāvinyāsavidhānaṃ bhagavānuvāca pādapratiṣṭhāṃ vakṣāmi śilāvinyāsalakṣaṇaṃ agrato maṇḍapaḥ kāryaḥ kuṇḍalānāntu catuṣṭayaṃ
ਇਸ ਤਰ੍ਹਾਂ ਆਦਿਮਹਾਪੁਰਾਣ ਦੇ ਆਗਨੇਯ ਭਾਗ ਵਿੱਚ ‘ਅਰਘ੍ਯਦਾਨਕਥਨ’ ਨਾਮਕ ਚਾਲੀਵਾਂ ਅਧਿਆਇ ਸਮਾਪਤ ਹੋਇਆ। ਹੁਣ ਇਕਤਾਲੀਵਾਂ ਅਧਿਆਇ—‘ਸ਼ਿਲਾਵਿਨ੍ਯਾਸਵਿਧਾਨ’ ਆਰੰਭ ਹੁੰਦਾ ਹੈ। ਭਗਵਾਨ ਨੇ ਕਿਹਾ—ਮੈਂ ਪਾਦ-ਪ੍ਰਤਿਸ਼ਠਾ ਅਤੇ ਪੱਥਰਾਂ ਦੇ ਵਿਨ੍ਯਾਸ ਦੇ ਲੱਛਣ ਦੱਸਾਂਗਾ। ਅੱਗੇ ਮੰਡਪ ਬਣਾਉਣਾ ਚਾਹੀਦਾ ਹੈ ਅਤੇ ਕੁੰਡਲਾਂ ਦਾ ਚਤੁਸ਼ਟਯ ਵੀ ਸਜਾਉਣਾ ਚਾਹੀਦਾ ਹੈ।
Lord Agni (Bhagavān) speaking as the primary narrator of the Agni Purana
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Planning the temple’s initial layout and foundation-setting sequence: defining pāda-pratiṣṭhā, stone placement rules, and the required front maṇḍapa with associated ritual arrangements.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Śilā-vinyāsa and pāda-pratiṣṭhā: preliminary layout with maṇḍapa and four kuṇḍalāni","lookup_keywords":["śilā-vinyāsa","pāda-pratiṣṭhā","maṇḍapa","pratiṣṭhā-vidhi","kuṇḍalāni"],"quick_summary":"Begins the procedural teaching for setting the foundation/pedestal and placing stones. It prescribes a front maṇḍapa and a fourfold ritual arrangement (kuṇḍalāni) as part of the installation sequence."}
Concept: Ritualized construction: material acts (stone placement, pavilion building) are integrated with consecratory intent (pratiṣṭhā).
Application: Treat construction as a consecratory sequence—layout first, then foundation/pedestal installation with prescribed adjunct structures and ritual items.
Khanda Section: Vastu & Pratishtha (Temple Architecture and Installation Rites)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A temple site being prepared: a front maṇḍapa outline drawn, masons arranging foundation stones, and a priest indicating the pāda-pratiṣṭhā point with four ritual ‘kuṇḍalāni’ arranged nearby.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, temple courtyard scene with priests and sthapatis, clear depiction of a maṇḍapa in front, stones being set in order, four ritual rings/loops placed symmetrically, warm sacred palette.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, richly ornamented temple-front planning scene, gold accents on ritual items, the maṇḍapa emphasized, priests blessing the foundation stones, symmetrical four kuṇḍalāni arrangement.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional architectural layout: ground plan lines, labeled maṇḍapa front, workers placing stones, priest demonstrating pāda-pratiṣṭhā point, neat composition and delicate coloring.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed construction site with artisans, measured stone placement, a pavilion framework in front, ritual objects arranged in fours, fine textiles and tools rendered with precision."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":null,"pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: इत्य् → इति; चत्वारिंशो ऽध्यायः → चत्वारिंशः अध्यायः; अथैकचत्वारिंशो → अथ एक-चत्वारिंशः; कुण्डलानान्तु → कुण्डलानाम् तु.
Related Themes: Agni Purana chapters on Pratiṣṭhā-vidhi and Vāstu-pūjā preceding/continuing this section; Agni Purana Vāstu-maṇḍala and diknirṇaya discussions (where present)
FAQs
It introduces the Vāstu–Pratiṣṭhā procedure: rules for pāda-pratiṣṭhā (base installation), śilā-vinyāsa (stone/foundation placement), the forward construction of a maṇḍapa, and arranging a prescribed set of four kuṇḍalas.
It shifts from a ritual topic (arghya-dāna) to applied sacred architecture—showing how the Agni Purāṇa functions as a multi-disciplinary manual that includes temple engineering, layout planning, and consecration protocols alongside devotional rites.
Correct foundation-laying and base installation are treated as dharmic prerequisites for a sanctified space; performing them according to rule is understood to purify the undertaking and ensure the deity’s stable, auspicious presence in the structure.