Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 11
सकलादिमन्त्रोद्धारः (Sakalādi-mantra-uddhāra) — Chapter Colophon/Transition
आरक्तं कमलं मध्ये वाह्यपद्मानि तद्वहिः सिता तु वीथिका कार्या द्वाराणि तु यथेच्छया
āraktaṃ kamalaṃ madhye vāhyapadmāni tadvahiḥ sitā tu vīthikā kāryā dvārāṇi tu yathecchayā
ตรงกลางพึงทำดอกบัวสีแดงเรื่อ; ภายนอกนั้นพึงจัดดอกบัวชั้นนอกให้เป็นระเบียบ พึงสร้าง “วีถิกา” (ทางเดินขบวน) สีขาว และกำหนดประตูได้ตามความประสงค์
Lord Agni (in discourse to sage Vashistha, Agni Purana narrative frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Color-coded mandala/lotus zoning for a temple/altar layout: central red lotus, outer lotuses, a white circumambulatory walkway, and flexible placement of gateways.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Lotus-Zoned Mandala with White Vīthikā and Gateways","lookup_keywords":["ārakta kamala","bāhya padma","śvetā vīthikā","dvāra-vinyāsa","mandala layout"],"quick_summary":"The layout prescribes a red central lotus and outer lotus zones, with a white processional path. Gateways may be positioned as desired, indicating adaptable access while preserving the sacred core geometry."}
Concept: Sacred space is organized as a graded cosmos: a potent center (red lotus), expanding periphery (outer lotuses), and a purifying circulation path (white vīthikā).
Application: In designing worship spaces, preserve a strong central sanctum-zone, provide clear circumambulatory circulation, and place entrances to suit terrain and crowd-flow without disturbing the core mandala.
Khanda Section: Vastu-shastra (Mandala, Temple/Altar Layout and Architectural Planning)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A top-down sacred plan: a red lotus at the center, concentric outer lotus forms, a white circumambulatory walkway encircling them, and gateways placed around the perimeter as needed.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, concentric lotus mandala with central red lotus and outer petals, white ring walkway, small gateways on the boundary, bold outlines, earthy tones with striking red center, temple-floor aesthetic","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, radiant central red lotus with gold accents, outer lotus rings ornamented, white vīthikā rendered as pearl-like band, gateways as ornate gopura motifs, rich gold work and saturated colors","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, precise architectural diagram with color cues (red center, white path), labeled vīthikā and dvāras, clean composition suitable for instruction, delicate shading","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, manuscript-style plan view of a garden-temple mandala with red central lotus, pale walkway ring, gateways on edges, fine border illumination and calligraphic labels"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shuddha Saveri","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: tadvahiḥ → tat-bahiḥ; yathecchayā → yathā-icchayā.
Related Themes: Agni Purana: mandala/vedi layout instructions contiguous with 317.8–317.10
FAQs
It gives Vastu/ritual-layout guidance for drawing or constructing a lotus (padma) mandala: a red central lotus, outer lotus elements around it, a white circumambulatory walkway, and placement of entrances.
Beyond theology, it preserves applied technical knowledge—sacred geometry and architectural/ritual planning (Vastu)—showing the Agni Purana’s role as a practical manual for constructing and arranging sacred spaces.
A properly ordered mandala with defined center, perimeter, and entrances supports disciplined worship (puja), orderly movement (circumambulation), and the consecration of space—traditionally held to enhance ritual purity and merit.