Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 17
Chapter 93 — वास्तुपूजादिविधानम्
Procedure for Vāstu-worship and Related Rites
मारुताय ध्वजं पीतं नागाय नागकेशरं मुख्ये भक्ष्याणि भल्लाटे मुद्गसूपं सुसंस्कृतं
mārutāya dhvajaṃ pītaṃ nāgāya nāgakeśaraṃ mukhye bhakṣyāṇi bhallāṭe mudgasūpaṃ susaṃskṛtaṃ
พึงถวายธงสีเหลืองแด่มารุตะ (วายุ); ถวายนาคเกศรแด่เหล่านาค; ถวายภักษาหารอันประณีตแด่เทพองค์ประธาน; และถวายซุปถั่วเขียว (มุทคะ) ที่ปรุงอย่างดีแด่ภัลลาฏะ
Lord Agni (in instruction to sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purana dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vrata","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Naivedya/bali assignment by deity-class: Vāyu receives a yellow standard, Nāgas receive nāgakeśara, the main deity receives best edibles, and Bhallāṭa receives seasoned mung soup.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Offerings for Maruta, Nāgas, Mukhyadevatā, and Bhallāṭa","lookup_keywords":["maruta","dhvaja pīta","nāgakeśara","mudga-sūpa","naivedya"],"quick_summary":"Match offerings to recipients: symbolic banner for Vāyu, fragrant nāgakeśara for serpent deities, premium foods for the principal deity, and well-cooked green-gram soup for Bhallāṭa."}
Dosha: Pitta
Concept: Appropriateness (yogyatā) in worship—symbol, substance, and recipient must align.
Application: When performing pūjā, separate ‘mukhya’ naivedya from subsidiary bali items; keep offerings pure, well-prepared, and context-appropriate.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Ritual offerings and bali/naivedya allocations to deities and beings)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritual setting with a yellow banner prepared for Vāyu, nāgakeśara flowers/spice offered to serpent deities, a central platter of fine foods for the main deity, and a bowl of well-seasoned mung soup set aside for Bhallāṭa.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, temple courtyard: fluttering yellow dhvaja, nāga motifs near a small shrine, priest arranging offerings, central deity altar with rich naivedya, earthen bowl of mudga-sūpa, lamps and floral borders","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-work on the yellow standard and altar ornaments, nāga shrine with jeweled hooded serpent, sumptuous main naivedya platter, glossy bowl of mung soup, symmetrical composition","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clear instructional depiction: labeled items (pīta-dhvaja, nāgakeśara, mukhya-bhakṣya, mudga-sūpa), priest demonstrating placement order, neat architectural backdrop","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed temple veranda, yellow banner held by attendant, priest offering nāgakeśara at a serpent icon, central altar with delicacies, bowl of soup with steam, fine textile patterns"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shuddha Saveri","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: Compounds resolved: नागकेशरम् = नाग-केशरम्, मुद्गसूपम् = मुद्ग-सूपम्, सुसंस्कृतम् = सु-सम्-स्कृतम् (prefixal formation).
Related Themes: Agni Purana Puja-vidhi: naivedya gradation (mukhya vs. bali) and offerings to vāyu/nāga classes (same khanda context)
FAQs
It prescribes deity-specific naivedya/bali: a yellow standard for Vāyu (Maruta), nāgakeśara for the Nāgas, select edibles for the principal recipient, and properly prepared mudga-soup for Bhallāṭa.
It functions like a ritual manual entry—cataloging precise offerings for different divine and semi-divine recipients—showing the text’s practical, procedural coverage beyond narrative mythology.
Following correct offering-allocation (yathāvidhi naivedya/bali) is taught as a means to maintain ritual purity, gain the favor of the invoked beings, and remove obstacles attributed to displeased elemental or serpent powers.