Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 5
वागीश्वरीपूजा
Worship of Vāgīśvarī
कुर्याद् गुरुश् च दीक्षार्थं मन्त्रग्राहे तु मण्डलम् सूर्याग्रमिन्दुभक्तन्तु भागाभ्यां कमलं हितं
kuryād guruś ca dīkṣārthaṃ mantragrāhe tu maṇḍalam sūryāgramindubhaktantu bhāgābhyāṃ kamalaṃ hitaṃ
ਦੀਖਿਆ ਲਈ ਗੁਰੂ ਨੂੰ ਮੰਤ੍ਰ-ਗ੍ਰਹਣ ਦੇ ਸਮੇਂ ਮੰਡਲ ਬਣਾਉਣਾ ਚਾਹੀਦਾ ਹੈ। ਨਿਰਧਾਰਿਤ ਭਾਗਾਂ ਅਨੁਸਾਰ ਕਮਲ-ਆਕ੍ਰਿਤੀ ਉੱਤਮ ਹੈ—ਅੱਗੇ ਸੂਰਜ ਅਤੇ ਯੋਗ ਭਾਗ ਵਿੱਚ ਚੰਦਰਮਾ ਦਾ ਵਿਨਿਆਸ ਕੀਤਾ ਜਾਵੇ।
Lord Agni (in discourse to the sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purāṇa narration frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"In dīkṣā and mantra-grahaṇa, instructs the guru to construct a lotus maṇḍala with solar and lunar placements according to prescribed divisions—used to formalize initiation, stabilize energies, and structure worship space.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Dīkṣā-maṇḍala: padma (lotus) with Sūrya and Candra placement","lookup_keywords":["dīkṣā","guru","maṇḍala","padma-kamala","sūrya-candra"],"quick_summary":"Specifies that at mantra reception/initiation the guru should prepare a lotus maṇḍala, placing the Sun in front and assigning the Moon its portion by measured divisions—standardizing the initiation diagram."}
Concept: Dīkṣā is a structured transmission requiring a consecrated spatial order (maṇḍala) harmonizing solar-lunar principles under the guru’s authority.
Application: For ritual leaders: prepare the lotus maṇḍala before mantra bestowal; ensure correct directional placement and proportional allocation for Sūrya/Candra to maintain ritual coherence.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Mantra-diksha and Mandala-vidhi (Tantric initiation diagram procedures)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A guru draws a lotus maṇḍala on the ground with measured petals/segments; a solar emblem placed at the front segment and a lunar emblem in its allotted portion; disciple seated ready for mantra initiation, ritual vessels arranged around.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, ritual courtyard, lotus maṇḍala in bold lines, sun and moon emblems clearly marked, guru with ritual staff, lamps and offerings, warm earthy tones and stylized symmetry","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, lotus maṇḍala with gold-leaf petal outlines, sun disc in front with gold rays, moon crescent in silver-white, guru and disciple richly adorned, heavy ornamental frame","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, diagrammatic clarity: lotus petals counted and segmented, labels for Sūrya and Candra, guru demonstrating with stylus, clean composition suited for instructional depiction","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, meticulous geometric lotus diagram, sun and moon cartouches, guru initiating disciple, fine textiles and vessels, subdued jewel palette with precise linework"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shree","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: guruś ca → guruḥ ca. sūryāgramindubhaktantu → sūryāgram indu-bhaktam tu.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 318 (maṇḍala and mantra-grahaṇa context); Agni Purana maṇḍala-vidhi and dīkṣā-related chapters (general)
FAQs
It prescribes a practical dīkṣā procedure: the guru should construct a ritual maṇḍala—specifically a lotus (kamala) design—during mantra-grāha (mantra reception/initiation), with defined placement/allotment for Sūrya (Sun) and Indu/Candra (Moon) according to measured parts.
Beyond mythic narration, it gives implementable ritual-technical guidance (diagram design, spatial placement, proportional division) characteristic of the Agni Purāṇa’s compendium style—covering pūjā-vidhi, tantric procedure, and mandala geometry alongside other sciences.
Constructing the prescribed mandala during initiation is presented as “hita” (beneficial): it ritually stabilizes mantra transmission, aligns the rite with cosmic principles symbolized by Sun and Moon, and supports purification and successful mantra-siddhi through correct procedure.