Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 15
Chapter 23 — पूजाविधिकथनम्
The Account of the Rules of Worship
यजेदङ्गानि पूर्वादौ द्वारि पूर्वे परेण्डजं दक्षे चक्रं गदां सौम्ये कोणे शङ्खं धनुर्न्यसेत्
yajedaṅgāni pūrvādau dvāri pūrve pareṇḍajaṃ dakṣe cakraṃ gadāṃ saumye koṇe śaṅkhaṃ dhanurnyaset
తూర్పు మొదలుకొని అంగదేవతలను పూజించాలి. తూర్పు ద్వారమున గరుడధ్వజాన్ని స్థాపించాలి; దక్షిణమున చక్రం, సౌమ్యమైన (ఉత్తర) దిశలో గద; కోణమున శంఖం, అలాగే ధనుస్సును కూడా విన్యసించాలి.
Lord Agni (in instruction to Sage Vasiṣṭha, standard Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Āvaraṇa-nyāsa/placement around the maṇḍala: worship subsidiary limbs by quarters; install Garuḍa-banner at east doorway; place chakra to the south/right, gadā to the north, śaṅkha in the corner, and also set the bow—creating a protective Vishnu perimeter for pūjā and pratiṣṭhā.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Vishnu āvaraṇa placement: Garuḍa-dhvaja and weapons by direction","lookup_keywords":["avarana-nyasa","garuda-dhvaja","chakra","gada","shankha","dhanus"],"quick_summary":"Arrange Vishnu’s emblems as directional guardians: Garuḍa-banner at the eastern door, chakra to the south, gadā to the north, śaṅkha in a corner, and dhanus as prescribed—while honoring the aṅgas from the east onward."}
Weapon Type: Chakra, Gadā, Śaṅkha (as martial emblem), Dhanus
Concept: Sacred space is secured by ordered placement of divine powers; Vishnu’s emblems function as both theological symbols and protective ‘guards’ of the rite.
Application: When setting up a pūjā maṇḍala or altar, keep consistent directional placement of emblems to reinforce concentration and the sense of protected ritual boundary.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Vishnu/Devatā-pratiṣṭhā and Āvaraṇa-nyāsa / iconographic placement)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritual maṇḍala with a marked eastern doorway bearing a Garuḍa-banner; around the perimeter are placed Vishnu’s emblems: chakra on the south/right, gadā on the north, śaṅkha in a corner, and a bow set as prescribed; the priest performs aṅga-worship starting from the east.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: bold Garuḍa-dhvaja at the east gate, stylized chakra and gadā on opposite sides, conch in corner niche, bow laid diagonally, priest doing nyāsa gestures, deep temple colors","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: gold-embossed Vishnu emblems arranged around a sanctified square, ornate Garuḍa-banner with gold work at the doorway, jewel-toned chakra and gadā, lamp-lit richness","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: clean diagrammatic altar plan with compass directions, icons for Garuḍa-dhvaja/chakra/gadā/śaṅkha/dhanus placed precisely, accompanying priest figure demonstrating sequence","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: a pavilion with a ritual floor-plan, attendants placing a banner and weapons as sacred symbols, fine detailing of metalwork on chakra and mace, balanced composition"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"solemn","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: यजेदङ्गानि = यजेत् + अङ्गानि; पूर्वादौ = पूर्व + आदौ; परेण्डजम् = परे + इण्डजम्; धनुर्न्यसेत् = धनुः + न्यसेत्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 23 (āvaraṇa-nyāsa, dvāra/diś placement, Vishnu pūjā sequence)
FAQs
It teaches āyudha-sthāpana/nyāsa: the prescribed directional placement and worship of Vaiṣṇava emblems (Garuḍa-standard, cakra, gadā, śaṅkha, dhanus) around the ritual space, beginning from the east.
It preserves practical liturgical protocol—spatial planning, iconographic standards, and procedural worship—showing the Agni Purāṇa’s coverage beyond mythology into applied temple-ritual science (pūjā-vidhi, nyāsa, and sacred layout).
Correct placement and worship of the deity’s emblems is treated as maintaining ritual order (ṛta) and purity, aligning the worshipper and the shrine with the deity’s protective powers, thereby supporting merit (puṇya) and warding obstacles in worship.