Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 4
Chapter 69 — स्नानविधानम्
Rules for Ritual Bathing / Snapanotsava-vidhi
चतुरस्रं पुरं कृत्वा रुद्रैस्तं प्रविभाज्येत् मध्येन तु चरुं स्थाप्य पार्श्वे पङ्क्तिं प्रमार्जयेत्
caturasraṃ puraṃ kṛtvā rudraistaṃ pravibhājyet madhyena tu caruṃ sthāpya pārśve paṅktiṃ pramārjayet
เมื่อจัดทำบริเวณพิธี (ปุระ) ให้เป็นรูปสี่เหลี่ยมแล้ว พึงแบ่งเป็นส่วนตามพระรุทระ จากนั้นตั้งเครื่องบูชาปรุงสุก (จรุ) ไว้กลาง และชำระพร้อมกำหนดแนวแถว/เส้นด้านข้างทั้งสองให้เรียบร้อย
Lord Agni (instructing Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s didactic dialogue)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Ritual ground-plan: constructing a square enclosure, subdividing it into deity-sections (Rudra-padas), and fixing the central offering point with cleaned boundary/guide lines.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Caturasra-pura with Rudra-vibhaga and central caru-sthapana","lookup_keywords":["caturasra","rudra-vibhaga","caru","mandala-nirmana","rekha-pramarjana"],"quick_summary":"Make a square ritual enclosure, subdivide it into Rudra-sections, install the cooked offering at the center, and clean/mark the side guide-lines for accurate placement."}
Concept: Rta through spatial order: correct division and purity of the ritual field enables effective offering.
Application: Use measured geometry and cleanliness as prerequisites for successful puja/homa installations.
Khanda Section: Vastu-vidya / Mandala-nirmana (Ritual Architecture and Altar Layout)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A square ritual enclosure is drawn on the ground, subdivided into multiple Rudra-sections; a central spot holds a caru vessel; assistants sweep and mark straight side-lines with ritual tools.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, earthy reds and ochres, priests in white dhoti marking a square mandala with Rudra divisions, central caru vessel, ritual purity atmosphere, flat iconic composition","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-leaf accents on the central caru vessel and boundary lines, square mandala with subdivided padas, stylized priests, ornate borders, devotional-ritual setting","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, fine linework showing geometric accuracy of the square and subdivisions, labeled sections, central offering, calm instructional tableau","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed courtyard floor with precise grid, attendants sweeping and drawing lines, central bowl of caru, delicate textiles and architectural framing"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: रुद्रैस्तम् = रुद्रैः + तम्; प्रविभाज्येत् (sandhi in ending -et); अन्यत्र स्पष्टपदविभागः।
Related Themes: Agni Purana 69 (Vastu-vidya / mandala-nirmana context)
FAQs
It gives a Vastu/mandala procedure: create a square ritual enclosure, divide it into Rudra-based sectors, place the central caru offering, and purify/mark the side rows/lines for correct layout.
Beyond mythology, it preserves applied technical knowledge—ritual ground planning and spatial division rules—showing the Agni Purana’s coverage of architecture, liturgy, and procedural sacred geometry.
Correct division, central placement of the offering, and careful cleansing/marking are acts of ritual purity and order (ṛta), believed to stabilize the rite, remove defects (doṣa), and enhance religious merit (puṇya).