Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 28
Chapter 64 — कूपादिप्रतिष्ठाकथनं
The Account of the Consecration of Wells and Other Water-Works
कृत्वाष्टौ स्थण्डिलान् रम्यान् सैकतान् देशिकोत्तमः वरुणस्येति मन्त्रेण साज्यमष्टशतं ततः
kṛtvāṣṭau sthaṇḍilān ramyān saikatān deśikottamaḥ varuṇasyeti mantreṇa sājyamaṣṭaśataṃ tataḥ
เมื่อปุโรหิตผู้ชำนาญจัดทำสถัณฑิละอันรื่นรมย์แปดแห่งด้วยทรายแล้ว ต่อจากนั้นพึงถวายอาหุติเนยใสจำนวนแปดร้อยครั้ง โดยใช้มนต์ที่ขึ้นต้นว่า “(โอ้) วรุณะ…”.
Lord Agni (traditional Agni Purana frame: Agni instructing Vasiṣṭha; chapter context is ritual instruction)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Puja-vidhi","practical_application":"Varuṇa-śānti oriented homa: constructing eight sandy sthaṇḍilas and offering a fixed count (800) of ghee oblations with a Varuṇa-mantra.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Varuṇa-śānti homa: eight sandy sthaṇḍilas and 800 ājya-āhutis","lookup_keywords":["Varuṇa śānti","aṣṭa sthaṇḍila","sai-kata altar","aṣṭaśata āhuti","ājya homa"],"quick_summary":"Prepare eight sand-based altars and perform a large-count ghee oblation (800) with a Varuṇa-mantra—used for appeasement, purification, and restoring harmony with the waters/cosmic order."}
Concept: Śānti is achieved through disciplined preparation (eight sthaṇḍilas) and sustained offering-count (800) aligned to a specific devatā-mantra.
Application: For Varuṇa-related appeasement rites, construct eight neat sand altars and complete the prescribed 800 ghee oblations without breaking count or mantra continuity.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Homa-vidhi (Ritual procedure and mantra-based offerings; Varuna-shanti context)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Eight small, pleasing sand altars arranged symmetrically; the officiant repeatedly offers ghee into the fire while reciting a Varuṇa-mantra; water pots and conch symbolize Varuṇa’s watery sovereignty.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, eight sand sthaṇḍilas in a mandalic arrangement, central priest offering ājya, blue-green water motifs and makara symbols for Varuṇa, rhythmic repetition suggested by multiple ladle-gesture echoes; bold sacred palette.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, gold-highlighted flames and ghee vessels, eight sand altars with decorative borders, Varuṇa iconography (pāśa, makara, water waves) in a top register, rich jewel tones and gold work.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear layout of eight sthaṇḍilas with measurement-like neatness, priest counting up to 800 with a tally cord, labeled ‘Varuṇa-mantra’ scroll, calm instructional aesthetic.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, symmetrical garden-like ritual ground with eight sandy platforms, priest and assistants with ghee pots, delicate depiction of repeated offerings, water channel or basin nearby hinting Varuṇa; fine textile and vessel detail."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Malkauns","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: कृत्वाष्टौ = कृत्वा + अष्टौ; साज्यमष्टशतं = स + आज्यम् + अष्टशतम् (sandhi with vowel coalescence).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 64 (Varuṇa-related homa/pūjā procedures)
FAQs
It specifies a precise śānti/homa protocol: prepare eight sand-made sthaṇḍilas and perform 800 ājya (ghee) oblations while reciting a Varuṇa-invoking mantra.
It exemplifies the text’s procedural detail in ritual technology—numbers of altars, material specification (sand), and quantified oblations—showing Agni Purana’s role as a practical manual alongside theology.
Varuṇa-related offerings are classically linked with purification and appeasement (śānti), aiming to remove ritual/ethical impurities and restore harmony through mantra-guided oblations.