Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 3
Chapter 56 — दिक्पालयागकथनम्
Account of the Worship of the Guardians of the Directions
अष्टषोडशविंशान्तं मण्डपञ्चाधमादिकम् स्नानं कलशार्थञ्च यागद्रव्यार्थमर्धतः
aṣṭaṣoḍaśaviṃśāntaṃ maṇḍapañcādhamādikam snānaṃ kalaśārthañca yāgadravyārthamardhataḥ
A partir das (medidas) de oito, dezesseis e até vinte (unidades), o texto descreve o maṇḍapa (pavilhão ritual) e a classificação quíntupla desde o tipo mais baixo; do mesmo modo, ensina o rito do banho (snāna), a finalidade e o uso do kalaśa (vaso de consagração) e—em breve esboço—os materiais empregados no sacrifício/culto (yāga-dravya).
Lord Agni (in instruction to sage Vasiṣṭha, the standard Agni Purana dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vrata","secondary_vidya":"Vastu","practical_application":"Checklist-style guidance for consecration logistics: mandapa sizing/types, bathing rite, kalaśa function, and required yāga materials—useful for planning and executing temple rites.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Mandapa measures, snāna, kalaśa purpose, and yāga-dravya outline","lookup_keywords":["maṇḍapa","aṣṭa ṣoḍaśa viṃśa","snāna","kalaśa","yāga-dravya"],"quick_summary":"Summarizes the scope of instructions: mandapa dimensions (8/16/20 units), fivefold mandapa classification, bathing rite, the role of the kalaśa, and an outline of sacrificial materials."}
Concept: Ritual efficacy depends on correct supports: space (mandapa), purification (snāna), containment/infusion (kalaśa), and proper materials (dravya).
Application: Use as a planning rubric: confirm mandapa size/type, prepare snāna sequence, assign kalaśa roles, and inventory yāga materials before commencing.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Yajna-vidhi (Ritual procedure: mandapa, snana, kalasha, and materials for worship)
Primary Rasa: śānta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritual pavilion under construction/arrangement: measured mandapa with marked units, bathing setup, consecration pots arranged, and trays of yāga materials laid out in an orderly grid.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, mandapa with hanging festoons, measured floor markings, priests arranging kalaśas and snāna vessels, flat vivid colors, decorative borders.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, symmetrical mandapa interior with gold-embossed kalaśas, richly patterned cloths, neatly arranged offerings, luminous sanctity.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional layout diagram feel: mandapa proportions, labeled kalaśa positions, snāna vessels, dravya trays, delicate lines and muted palette.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, artisans and priests preparing a pavilion, precise depiction of vessels and materials, patterned carpets, architectural depth, fine detail."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: aṣṭaṣoḍaśaviṃśāntaṃ = aṣṭa-ṣoḍaśa-viṃśa-antam; maṇḍapañcādhamādikam = maṇḍapa-pañca-adhamādi-kam; kalaśārthaṃ ca = kalaśa-artham ca; yāgadravyārthamardhataḥ = yāga-dravya-artham ardhataḥ.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 56 (subsequent details on vedi, decorations, purification)
FAQs
It signals a structured ritual manual: standard mandapa measurement ranges (8/16/20), a fivefold grading of mandapas starting from the inferior type, plus procedures for snana, the function of the kalaśa, and a concise outline of yāga (worship/sacrifice) materials.
It exemplifies the Agni Purana’s compendium style by cataloging multiple applied domains in one sweep—ritual architecture (mandapa/Vastu), purification rites (snana), consecration technology (kalasha), and liturgical logistics (yaga-dravya).
By prescribing correct structure, purification, and properly consecrated implements and offerings, it frames ritual performance as both technically valid and spiritually purifying—supporting merit (puṇya) through orderly, rule-based worship.