Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 11
वागीश्वरीपूजा
The Worship of Vāgīśvarī
प्रथमे कर्णिका तत्र पुष्करैर् नवभिर्युता केशराणि चतुर्विंशद्वितीये ऽथ तृतीयके
prathame karṇikā tatra puṣkarair navabhiryutā keśarāṇi caturviṃśadvitīye 'tha tṛtīyake
Na primeira disposição há a karṇikā, o receptáculo central, provida de nove pétalas de lótus (puṣkara). Na segunda—e igualmente na terceira—há vinte e quatro filamentos/estames (keśara).
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha, Agni Purana’s standard narration frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Vastu","practical_application":"Designing and drawing lotus-based yantra/maṇḍala layouts for pūjā, including correct counts of petals/filaments for specific ritual diagrams.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Karṇikā–Puṣkara–Keśara counts in lotus-maṇḍala","lookup_keywords":["karṇikā","puṣkara (petals)","keśara (filaments)","lotus maṇḍala","yantra lakṣaṇa"],"quick_summary":"Specifies canonical numerical features of lotus diagrams: a central pericarp with nine petals in the first type, and twenty-four filaments in the second and third types—used to standardize ritual drawings."}
Concept: Ritual efficacy depends on correct form (ākṛti) and number (saṅkhyā) in yantra/maṇḍala construction.
Application: Use fixed counts while drafting/painting lotus maṇḍalas for pūjā, homa, and installation rites.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Yantra-Mandala-Lakshana (Lotus/Chakra diagram specifications)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritual artisan draws a lotus-maṇḍala: central karṇikā, nine petals around it, and a ring of twenty-four filaments indicated in the next types; measuring cords and ink lines visible.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, flat earthy pigments, artisan-sage drawing a padma-maṇḍala on a clean floor, central karṇikā with nine petals, subtle 24-keśara ring marks, ritual vessels nearby, calm sacred ambience.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-leaf highlights on the lotus diagram, central karṇikā emphasized, nine petals embossed, decorative border suggesting 24 filaments, pūjā items (lamp, conch) rendered richly.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, fine linework and soft shading, instructional depiction of lotus-maṇḍala with labeled counts (9 petals, 24 keśara), measuring thread and stylus shown clearly.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, meticulous geometry on paper, artisan with compass/thread drawing lotus with central pericarp and counted petals/filaments, architectural studio setting, delicate palette."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: puṣkarair navabhiryutā = puṣkaraiḥ + navabhiḥ + yutā; vitīye 'tha = dvitīye + atha (avagraha).
Related Themes: Agni Purāṇa 319 (yantra-maṇḍala-lakṣaṇa context); Agni Purāṇa pūjā-vidhi sections on maṇḍala/yantra drawing
FAQs
It specifies measurable components of a padma-yantra/mandala: a central karṇikā with nine puṣkara units in the first layout, and a set of twenty-four keśara (stamen-like rays/filaments) in the second and third layouts.
Beyond mythology, it preserves technical ritual-geometry—standardized counts and parts used to draw lotus/chakra mandalas for worship—showing the text’s compendium-like coverage of practical liturgical design.
Accurate construction of the mandala/yantra is treated as essential for correct worship (nyāsa, āvaraṇa-pūjā, deity placement), supporting ritual efficacy and the merit (puṇya) gained from properly performed pūjā.