Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 8
सकलादिमन्त्रोद्धारः (Sakalādi-mantra-uddhāra) — Chapter Colophon/Transition
चतुष्पदं त्रिकोणे तु त्रिदलं कमलं लिखेत् सर्वत इति ख द्विधाकृतमिति ख तत्पृष्ठे पदिकाविथीभागि त्रिदलमश्वयुक्
catuṣpadaṃ trikoṇe tu tridalaṃ kamalaṃ likhet sarvata iti kha dvidhākṛtamiti kha tatpṛṣṭhe padikāvithībhāgi tridalamaśvayuk
Dentro de um triângulo, deve-se desenhar uma forma de quatro pés (quatro bases) e, em seguida, inscrever um lótus de três pétalas. Marque-se a sílaba “kha” como “sarvataḥ” (por todos os lados) e, novamente, “kha” como “dvidhākṛta” (feito em duas partes). Atrás disso, desenhe-se uma figura de três pétalas dividida pelo caminho de pequenos degraus (padikā-vithī), unida ao motivo aśvayuk (jugo de cavalo).
Lord Agni (in instruction to the sage Vasiṣṭha, as per the usual Agni Purana dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Vastu","practical_application":"Construction of a protective/operative yantra-mandala using triangle, four-based form, tri-petalled lotuses, and specific bīja/akṣara placements (kha) for ritual deployment.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Triangle Yantra with Catuṣpada and Tridala Lotus (Kha-marking)","lookup_keywords":["yantra-lekhana","trikoṇa","catuṣpada","tridala-kamala","kha bīja"],"quick_summary":"The verse gives a stepwise drawing protocol: place a four-based figure inside a triangle, add a three-petalled lotus, mark ‘kha’ in specified modes, then add a rear tri-petalled element segmented by a stepped pathway and joined with an aśvayuk motif."}
Concept: Form (ākṛti) and sound (akṣara/bīja) are coordinated: correct geometry plus correct syllabic placement is treated as the mechanism of efficacy.
Application: When preparing a yantra, follow exact sequencing and placements; treat the diagram as a ‘seat’ (ādhāra) for mantra-japa, nyāsa, and offerings.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi & Yantra-Mandala-Lekhana (Tantric ritual diagrams)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritualist draws a triangle-based yantra: inside it a four-based form, then a three-petalled lotus; ‘kha’ syllables are inscribed; behind it another tri-petalled element segmented by a stepped pathway and linked with a horse-yoke motif.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural aesthetic, top-down view of a ritual floor with a bold trikoṇa yantra, catuṣpada core, tridala lotus, stylized akṣaras ‘kha’ in traditional script, priest with palm-leaf stylus and rice-powder lines, warm ochres and reds","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, yantra rendered as a sacred emblem with gold highlights on lotus petals and triangle edges, ‘kha’ inscriptions in ornate calligraphy, ritual lamps and flowers around, rich jewel tones, embossed decorative border","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clean instructional diagram layout with labeled components (trikoṇa, catuṣpada, tridala, padikā-vithī, aśvayuk), fine linework, muted palette, emphasis on geometry and step sequence","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, atelier-like scene of a learned priest drawing a yantra on a white cloth, precise geometric instruments, attendants holding ink and powders, delicate floral margins, detailed calligraphy for ‘kha’"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: catuṣpadaṃ → catuṣ-padam; tridalaṃ → tri-dalam; tatpṛṣṭhe → tat-pṛṣṭhe. Tokens 'kha' are editorial variant markers.
Related Themes: Agni Purana: yantra/mandala-lekhana instructions in the same Pūjā-vidhi cluster (317.8–317.12)
FAQs
It teaches yantra/mandala layout: constructing a triangular field with a four-based element, adding a three-petalled lotus, and placing labeled ‘kha’ markers plus a bisected (dvidhākṛta) division and a yoke-like connector motif.
Beyond mythology, it preserves practical ritual-technology: precise geometric and symbolic drafting of worship-diagrams (yantras/mandalas), including bīja/marker placement and structural subdivisions used in specialized pūjā systems.
Correctly drawn and symbolically marked mandalas are treated as “fit seats” for deity-invocation; accuracy supports effective worship, purification, and the intended ritual fruit by aligning form (ākṛti) with mantra-marker placement.