Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 17
Chapter 92 — प्रतिष्ठाविधिकथनम्
Narration of the Consecration / Installation Procedure
नैरृत्यां क्षेपयेन्मृत्स्नां खाते कुम्भजलं क्षिपेत् पुरस्य पूर्वसीमन्तं नयेद् यावदभीप्सितं
nairṛtyāṃ kṣepayenmṛtsnāṃ khāte kumbhajalaṃ kṣipet purasya pūrvasīmantaṃ nayed yāvadabhīpsitaṃ
พึงโปรยดินไปทางทิศไนฤติ (ตะวันตกเฉียงใต้) และเทน้ำจากกุมภะลงในหลุมที่ขุดแล้ว จากนั้นจึงขยายเส้นเขตแดนด้านตะวันออกของเมืองไปจนถึงระยะที่ประสงค์
Lord Agni (in discourse to sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Bhūmi-parīkṣā and sīmā-nirdhāraṇa for town-planning: directional casting of earth (toward Nairṛtya), water-pouring into the pit, then laying out the eastern boundary line to the intended extent.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Pura-sīmā-nirdhāraṇa: nairṛtya-mṛt-kṣepa, khāta-jala-kṣepa, pūrva-sīmanta-vistāra","lookup_keywords":["nairṛtya","mṛt-kṣepa","khāta","kumbha-jala","pūrva-sīmanta"],"quick_summary":"Perform a directional earth-casting and pit-water rite, then extend and mark the town’s eastern boundary line to the desired length—linking ritual testing with practical surveying."}
Concept: Ritualized measurement: spatial order (sīmā) is established through both symbolic directional rites and concrete boundary extension.
Application: Combine vāstu-directional observances with practical demarcation when laying out a settlement, ensuring both social legitimacy and functional planning.
Khanda Section: Vastu-shastra (Pura-nirmana, Sima-nirdharana, Bhumi-pariksha)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: Directional/Urban-planning boundary
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A survey-like ritual: earth is cast toward the south-west; water from a kumbha is poured into a freshly dug pit; then surveyors/priest extend a marked line defining the town’s eastern boundary to a chosen endpoint.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, directional markers (SW and East) shown symbolically, priest casting earth to Nairṛtya, pouring kumbha-water into a pit, assistants stretching a cord/line to mark the eastern boundary, stylized landscape.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-accented kumbha and ritual implements, clear depiction of pit and water-pouring, boundary line drawn with ornate precision, auspicious border motifs framing a planned town edge.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, technical clarity: pit, earth-casting gesture toward SW, kumbha-water pouring, then cord/rod measurement laying the eastern boundary line; fine details of tools and markers.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, planners and priest in a landscape with measured line and stakes, one pouring water into pit, another casting earth to SW, delicate rendering of surveying instruments and boundary extension."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Malkauns","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: kṣepayenmṛtsnāṃ = kṣepayet mṛtsnām; yāvadabhīpsitam = yāvat abhīpsitam.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 92 (bhūmi-parīkṣā, sīmā, pura-nirmāṇa context)
FAQs
It gives a Vāstu procedure for laying out a town’s boundary: casting soil to the south‑west (nairṛta) and pouring pot-water into a prepared pit, then extending/marking the eastern boundary to the intended distance.
Beyond theology, it records practical civic and architectural know-how—directional rules, site-rites, and boundary demarcation—showing the Agni Purana’s coverage of applied Vāstu and town-planning alongside ritual practice.
The directional casting of earth and libation of water function as bhūmi-śuddhi (site purification) and ritually ‘settle’ the boundary, aiming to avert inauspicious influences (especially associated with the nairṛta quarter) and establish an auspicious, protected settlement space.