Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 64
Agnisthāpana-vidhi (Procedure for Establishing the Sacred Fire) and Protective Īśāna-kalpa Homa Sequences
वारुण्यां क्षेत्रपालाय अन्तर्बलिरुदाहृतः द्वितीये मण्डले वाह्ये इन्द्यायाग्नियमाय च
vāruṇyāṃ kṣetrapālāya antarbalirudāhṛtaḥ dvitīye maṇḍale vāhye indyāyāgniyamāya ca
ณ ทิศวรุณะ กำหนดให้ถวายอันตรบลีแด่กษेत्रปาล ผู้พิทักษ์เขต ในมณฑลที่สองซึ่งเป็นวงนอก ให้ถวายบลีแด่อินทร์ อัคนี และยมด้วย
Lord Agni (narrating Agni Purana’s ritual procedure, traditionally to Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Puja-vidhi","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Specifies inner vs outer maṇḍala recipients: Kṣetrapāla receives antar-bali in Varuṇa quarter; outer circle offerings go to Indra, Agni, and Yama—useful for temple/household boundary protection and completion of dik-devatā honors.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Kṣetrapāla Antarbali and Outer Maṇḍala Offerings (Indra–Agni–Yama)","lookup_keywords":["kṣetrapāla","antarbali","vāhya-maṇḍala","indra","yama"],"quick_summary":"Offer inner bali to Kṣetrapāla in the Varuṇa quarter, then in the outer maṇḍala offer to Indra, Agni, and Yama—establishing protection and directional completeness of the rite."}
Concept: Sacred work requires guardianship and proper honoring of the site’s protector; dharmic ritual includes care for place (deśa) and boundary (maryādā).
Application: Before/after worship, especially in new spaces or temples, offer to Kṣetrapāla to avert kṣetra-doṣa and ensure unobstructed worship and community safety.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Bali-vidhana / Mandala-devata offerings)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhaya
Type: Sacred-direction (dik) and ritual precinct
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Two maṇḍalas around the ritual area: inner circle offering to Kṣetrapāla in the west (Varuṇa quarter), and outer circle offerings to Indra, Agni, and Yama placed at their respective quarters.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: guardian Kṣetrapāla at the western edge of the mandala, fierce yet protective; priest placing inner bali; outer ring shows Indra, Agni, Yama as stylized directional deities; bold outlines, temple-floor geometry emphasized.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: Kṣetrapāla rendered with ornate jewelry and gold halo at the west; concentric mandalas with gold borders; small deity panels for Indra, Agni, Yama on the outer ring; rich gold relief work.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: didactic layout with two circles labeled inner/outer; west marked for Kṣetrapāla; outer placements for Indra/Agni/Yama; soft colors, precise linework, instructional clarity.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: architectural courtyard with concentric ritual circles; guardian figure at west receiving offering; attendants place offerings at outer points for Indra, Agni, Yama; fine detailing of vessels and textiles."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kedar","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: अन्तर्बलिरुदाहृतः → अन्तर्बलिः + उदाहृतः (विसर्गसन्धि); इन्द्यायाग्नियमाय च → इन्द्राय + अग्नियमाय + च (द्र→द्य लेखनभेद; ‘इन्द्याय’ = ‘इन्द्राय’); अग्नियमाय is treated as द्वन्द्व (अग्नि+यम) in dative singular.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 75 (maṇḍala and bali distribution)
FAQs
It specifies bali-placement by direction and by mandala-layer: an inner bali to Kṣetrapāla in the Varuṇa (western) quarter, and offerings in the second (outer) mandala to Indra, Agni, and Yama.
It functions like a compact ritual manual, cataloging spatial ritual rules (directional quarters, inner/outer mandalas) and the corresponding deities—showing the Agni Purana’s practical coverage of temple/mandala liturgy alongside its many other disciplines.
Correctly offering bali to the site-guardian and to the mandala deities is intended to secure protection of the ritual space, remove obstacles (vighna-śānti), and align the rite with cosmic order through proper directional worship.