Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 13
वागीश्वरीपूजा
The Worship of Vāgīśvarī
असंसक्ते दलाग्रे तु दिग्भागैर् विस्तराद्भजेत् भागद्वयपरित्यागाद्वस्वंशैर् वर्तयेद्दलम्
asaṃsakte dalāgre tu digbhāgair vistarādbhajet bhāgadvayaparityāgādvasvaṃśair vartayeddalam
เมื่อปลายกลีบเป็น “อสงฺสกฺต” (ไม่ประสาน) ให้แบ่งความกว้างตามส่วนทิศจากความกว้างเต็ม; เมื่อตัดทิ้งสองส่วนแล้ว จึงจัดรูปกลีบด้วยส่วนที่เหลือแปดส่วน
Lord Agni (in discourse to the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Constructing an ‘asamsakta’ (unjoined) petal by proportional division: allocate breadth by directional sectors, keep margins, and form the petal from the remaining measured parts.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Proportional construction of Asamsakta petal (dala) by directional division","lookup_keywords":["asaṃsakta","dala-agra","dig-bhāga","aṃśa division","omit two parts"],"quick_summary":"Gives a drafting algorithm: divide the petal breadth by directional sectors; leave two parts as allowance, and shape the petal using the remaining eight portions."}
Concept: Form arises from proportion (māna) and directional order (dik-vibhāga), not freehand preference.
Application: Use an 10-part logic (2 reserved + 8 operative) to keep petals uniform across a full maṇḍala.
Khanda Section: Vāstu-Śāstra (Architectural & Diagrammatic Canons: Maṇḍala/yantra/lekhyavidhi)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A draftsman divides a petal’s width into parts aligned to directions, marks off two parts as margin, then curves the petal using the remaining eight segments; compass, ruler, and thread shown.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, artisan on floor drawing a lotus petal with directional lines (dik), segment marks, two-part margin highlighted, eight-part curve emphasized, minimal but clear geometry.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, decorative instructional panel with gold accents on measurement marks, petal outline formed from eight segments, margins indicated with contrasting color, temple workshop ambience.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore, diagrammatic step-by-step: (1) full breadth, (2) division into parts by directions, (3) omit two, (4) final petal curve from eight; fine lines and labels.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, geometry lesson scene: master instructs apprentice over a folio showing segmented petal construction, precise ink lines, elegant studio objects."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: digbhāgair = dig-bhāgaiḥ; vistarādbhajet = vistarāt + bhajet; bhāgadvayaparityāgād = bhāga-dvaya-parityāgāt; vasvaṃśair = vasu-aṃśaiḥ; vartayeddalam = vartayet + dalam.
Related Themes: Agni Purāṇa 319 (construction rules for saṃsakta/asaṃsakta lotus types)
FAQs
It gives a proportional drafting rule for constructing a petal/segment (dala) in a mandala/diagram: divide the width by directional sectors, leave a two-part allowance, and shape the segment using the remaining eight parts.
Beyond mythology, the Agni Purana preserves applied technical canons—here, precise geometric/proportional instructions used in Vāstu, temple planning, and ritual yantra/mandala drawing.
Accurate mandala/architectural proportion is treated as ritually efficacious: correct form supports correct worship and is traditionally held to promote auspiciousness and reduce defects (doṣa) in sacred constructions.