Agni Purana — Veda-vidhana & Vamsha, Shloka 3
Nīrājana-vidhiḥ
Procedure of Nīrājana / Auspicious Lamp-Waving and Royal Propitiation
प्रोष्ठपादे सिते पक्षे प्रतिपत्प्रभृतिक्रमात् शिविरात् पूर्वदिग्भागे शक्रार्थं भवनञ्चरेत्
proṣṭhapāde site pakṣe pratipatprabhṛtikramāt śivirāt pūrvadigbhāge śakrārthaṃ bhavanañcaret
В светлой половине месяца Проштхапада, начиная по порядку с первого лунного дня (пратипад), от стана следует устроить в восточной стороне жилище/ритуальный павильон ради Шакры (Индры).
Lord Agni (instructional narration to the sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vrata","secondary_vidya":"Vastu","practical_application":"Set up an Indra-focused ritual pavilion/dwelling in the eastern quarter during Śukla Proṣṭhapadā starting from Pratipad, following day-by-day sequence for a state/camp observance.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Proṣṭhapadā Śukla Indra-śivira & Pūrvadig-vinyāsa","lookup_keywords":["proṣṭhapadā","śukla-pakṣa","pratipad","śakra-vrata","pūrvadig"],"quick_summary":"During bright Proṣṭhapadā from Pratipad onward, establish the Indra pavilion oriented to the east, integrating camp/royal logistics with ritual directionality."}
Concept: Ritual order (krama) and dik-niyama (directional discipline) as supports for collective welfare and protection.
Application: When organizing public rites (especially in temporary settlements), align pavilions and processions to prescribed directions and tithi-krama.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Vrata & Devata-upasana / Indra-Shakra ritual observance)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Type: Directional/Vāstu
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A royal/military camp with a newly erected ritual pavilion in the eastern sector; priests marking directions; banners and offerings prepared for Indra during bright Proṣṭhapadā.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, panoramic camp scene with eastern pavilion highlighted, priests with measuring cords and ritual pots, stylized compass directions, earthy reds and greens, traditional mural ornamentation","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, ceremonial pavilion with gold accents, king and purohita pointing east, attendants holding parasols and lamps, rich decorative borders","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, diagram-like clarity: camp plan with east quadrant pavilion, labeled tithi sequence motifs, fine lines and muted colors","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed encampment with tents, an eastern ritual canopy, astrologer-priest indicating lunar day, intricate textiles and weapon racks in background"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shuddha Saveri","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: pratipatprabhṛtikramāt → pratipat-prabhṛti-kramāt; bhavanañcaret → bhavanam caret; pūrvadigbhāge → pūrva-dik-bhāge; śakrārthaṃ → śakra-artham.
Related Themes: Agni Purana sections on maṇḍapa-vidhi, dhvaja-sthāpana, and nīrājana/utsava krama (nearby chapters)
FAQs
It gives a calendrical-and-directional rule for Śakra (Indra) worship: during the bright fortnight of Proṣṭhapadā, starting from Pratipad, one should set up the ritual dwelling/pavilion in the eastern sector relative to the camp.
It exemplifies the Purāṇa’s practical handbook style by combining time-reckoning (tithi sequence), ritual planning (setting up a bhavana/śivira-based arrangement), and spatial prescription (eastward placement), bridging vrata-vidhi with quasi-vāstu directional norms.
Following the prescribed time (bright fortnight, from Pratipad) and auspicious direction (east) is presented as a correctness-condition for effective propitiation of Indra, supporting ritual efficacy and the accrual of merit through disciplined observance.