Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 11
Chapter 33 — पवित्रारोहणविधानं
The Procedure for Pavitrārohaṇa / Installing the Sacred Thread or Consecratory Amulet
कर्णिका केशरं पत्रं मन्त्राद्यं मण्डलान्तकं मण्डलाङ्गुलमात्रैकचक्राब्जाद्यौ पवित्रकं
karṇikā keśaraṃ patraṃ mantrādyaṃ maṇḍalāntakaṃ maṇḍalāṅgulamātraikacakrābjādyau pavitrakaṃ
కర్ణిక, కేశర, పత్రాలను విన్యసించాలి; మంత్రాన్ని ఆరంభంలో స్థాపించి చివరలో మండలాన్ని పూర్తిచేయాలి. పవిత్రకం ఒక అంగుళ పరిమాణమున్న ఏకచక్ర కమలం (చక్రాబ్జ) మొదలైన రూపాలతో మండలాకారంగా చేయాలి.
Lord Agni (teaching ritual procedure to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Construct a lotus-based yantra/maṇḍala and pavitraka with correct parts (karṇikā, keśara, patra) and mantra placement for consecration and protection rites.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Maṇḍala–Pavitraka Lakṣaṇa (Lotus Wheel, Mantra Placement)","lookup_keywords":["karnika","keshara","patra","mandala","pavitraka"],"quick_summary":"Lay out lotus components (pericarp, stamens, petals), place mantra at the start, complete with the maṇḍala boundary; form a one-aṅgula single lotus-wheel pavitraka beginning from the cakrābja design."}
Concept: Mantra and form (ākṛti) cooperate: correct diagrammatic order supports focused invocation.
Application: When drawing/constructing yantra or pavitraka, follow part-order and mantra-placement to maintain ritual efficacy.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Yantra–Mandala–Pavitraka Lakshana)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritualist draws a lotus maṇḍala: pericarp at center, stamens radiating, petals around; mantra syllables inscribed at the beginning point; a small one-aṅgula pavitraka lotus-wheel prepared beside it.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, top-down altar view with lotus maṇḍala in red/ochre, clear karṇikā-keśara-patra layers, mantra letters at starting quadrant, priest’s hand with stylus, lamp-lit sanctum mood.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, stylized lotus maṇḍala with gold accents on petals and boundary, mantra glyphs highlighted, pavitraka ring/cord displayed with jeweled sheen, ornate shrine framing.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, diagrammatic clarity: labeled lotus parts, one-aṅgula scale mark, priest demonstrating mantra placement and completion boundary, soft palette and fine linework.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, atelier-like scene of a scholar-priest drawing a lotus yantra on a low platform, meticulous floral geometry, calligraphic mantra at start, attendants holding ritual items."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Hamsadhwani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: maṇḍala + aṅgula- → maṇḍalāṅgula-; -abja + ādyau → -ābjādyau.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 33 (Yantra–maṇḍala–pavitraka topics)
FAQs
It specifies the technical layout of a ritual mandala/pavitraka using the lotus model—defining parts (karṇikā, keśara, patra), where mantra is placed, and the one-aṅgula measurement for the single lotus-wheel (cakrābja) design.
Beyond mythic narration, it preserves precise liturgical engineering—diagram parts, measurements, and mantra-sequencing—showing the Agni Purana’s compendium-like coverage of practical temple and household worship procedures.
Correctly forming the pavitraka/mandala and placing mantra in the prescribed order is treated as a purifier (pavitra), ensuring ritual validity, removing impurities/obstacles, and enhancing the merit (puṇya) of the worship.