Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 47
Chapter 59 — अधिवासनकथनं
Adhivāsana: The Rite of Inviting and Stabilizing Hari’s Presence
द्वादशारे मण्डले तु लौकपालादिकं क्रमात् प्रतिमामर्चयेत् पश्चाद्गन्धपुष्पादिभिर्द्विजः
dvādaśāre maṇḍale tu laukapālādikaṃ kramāt pratimāmarcayet paścādgandhapuṣpādibhirdvijaḥ
ในมณฑลสิบสองซี่ ผู้เป็นทวิชพึงบูชาเทวรูปโดยลำดับ เริ่มจากโลกปาลเป็นต้น; แล้วจึงถวายเครื่องหอม ดอกไม้ และสิ่งบูชาอื่น ๆ แก่ท่านเหล่านั้น
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Maṇḍala-devatā arcana: worship of Lokapālas/dikpālas and related deities in a twelve-spoked diagram, then offer gandha-puṣpa etc.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Dvādaśāra-maṇḍala worship of Lokapālas","lookup_keywords":["dvādaśāra maṇḍala","lokapāla","dikpāla pūjā","maṇḍala-devatā","gandha puṣpa"],"quick_summary":"In a twelve-spoked maṇḍala, worship the Lokapālas and associated deities in order, then complete offerings with fragrance and flowers."}
Concept: Space becomes ritually ordered through directional deities; geometry (maṇḍala) mirrors cosmic governance.
Application: Before major worship/homa, stabilize the ritual field by honoring dikpālas in correct directional order.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Mandala-devata-archana / Dikpala-puja)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: śānta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A twelve-spoked mandala on the ground with small icons at each spoke representing Lokapālas; a priest moves clockwise offering flowers and sandal paste to each.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, top-down mandala depiction with bold concentric circles and twelve spokes, dikpālas in stylized forms at each direction, priest with flower basket moving clockwise","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, central sanctified mandala with gold accents on spokes, miniature dikpāla figures around, priest offering garlands, rich ornamental border","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, diagrammatic clarity: labeled directions, twelve spokes, sequential worship steps shown in panels, soft pastel palette","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtyard ritual with a chalk mandala, finely detailed guardian figures at compass points, attendants holding incense and flower trays"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: द्वादशारे = द्वादश + अरे (dvigu); प्रतिमामर्चयेत् = प्रतिमाम् + अर्चयेत्; पश्चाद्गन्धपुष्पादिभिः = पश्चात् + गन्धपुष्पादिभिः; गन्धपुष्पादिभिर्द्विजः = गन्धपुष्पादिभिः + द्विजः (visarga sandhi).
Related Themes: Agni Purāṇa 59 (maṇḍala-vidhi and dikpāla arcana)
FAQs
It prescribes a mandala-based worship protocol: in a twelve-spoked ritual diagram, the practitioner should worship the directional guardians (Lokapālas) and associated deities in a fixed sequence, then complete the rite with standard upacāras such as fragrance and flowers.
By documenting a precise, implementable ritual workflow (mandala structure, deity ordering, and offering set), it exemplifies the Agni Purana’s catalog-like coverage of practical religious technologies alongside its broader teachings.
Sequential worship of Lokapālas within a consecrated mandala is intended to harmonize space and directions, remove obstacles, and make the subsequent worship efficacious—supporting purity, protection, and ritual merit (puṇya).