Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 10
Chapter 94 — शिलाविन्यासविधानम्
The Procedure for Laying the Foundation Stones
मध्ये पूर्णशिलान्यासः सुभद्रकलशे ऽर्धतः पद्मादिषु च नन्दाद्याः कोणेष्वग्न्यादिषु क्रमात्
madhye pūrṇaśilānyāsaḥ subhadrakalaśe 'rdhataḥ padmādiṣu ca nandādyāḥ koṇeṣvagnyādiṣu kramāt
ณ กึ่งกลาง พึงกระทำการวาง “ปูรณะศิลา” (pūrṇa-śilā-nyāsa); ครึ่งหนึ่งให้วางไว้ในหม้อน้ำมงคล “สุภัทรากลศะ”. บนยันตระรูปดอกบัวและอื่น ๆ ให้สถาปนาเทวีศักติเริ่มด้วยนัณฑา ตามลำดับ ณ มุมทั้งหลาย โดยเริ่มจากมุมอัคนี
Lord Agni (in dialogue, instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Vastu","practical_application":"Mandala/kalasha/nyāsa layout: placing pūrṇa-śilā at the center, partial deposit in the subhadrā-kalaśa, and installing śakti-deities (Nandā etc.) on lotus-diagrams in directional corners starting from Agni corner.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Pūrṇa-śilā Nyāsa and Corner Śakti-Installation (Agni-corner onward)","lookup_keywords":["purna-shila-nyasa","subhadra-kalasha","padma-mandala","Nanda shakti","Agni kona"],"quick_summary":"Establish the central deposit (pūrṇa-śilā), place a portion in the consecration pot, then install Nandā and related śaktis on lotus-diagrams in the directional corners beginning with the Agni corner."}
Concept: Order (krama) and center–periphery hierarchy: the sacred is stabilized by central fullness (pūrṇa) and directional distribution of powers.
Application: When constructing a pūjā-maṇḍala, follow fixed directional sequencing to avoid doṣa and to ‘lock’ the deity-field into the space.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Yantra–Mandala–Kalasha Nyasa and Deity-Placement Rituals)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A square maṇḍala with a central deposit (pūrṇa-śilā), a consecration pot (subhadrā-kalaśa) nearby, lotus-diagrams in corners; corner deities labeled, starting at the Agni (southeast) corner and proceeding in order.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, clear sacred geometry; top-down mandala view with central pūrṇa-śilā, ornate kalaśa, lotus seats in four corners; corner śaktis with traditional ornaments; Agni corner highlighted with flame motifs.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-highlighted mandala borders; central jewel-like pūrṇa-śilā, richly decorated subhadrā-kalaśa; corner lotus thrones with Nandā and companion śaktis; heavy gilded ornamentation.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, didactic diagram; labeled directions, Agni corner marked; stepwise placement arrows; delicate shading on kalaśa and lotus diagrams; emphasis on clarity and order.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, architectural plan aesthetic; a ritual platform seen from above with precise geometry; attendants placing a stone deposit and a kalaśa; corner niches with small deity figures; subtle directional annotations."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shuddha Saveri","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पूर्णशिलान्यासः = पूर्ण-शिला-न्यासः; कलशे ऽर्धतः = कलशे + अर्धतः; कोणेष्वग्न्यादिषु = कोणेषु + अग्न्यादिषु.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 94 (yantra–maṇḍala–kalaśa nyāsa)
FAQs
It teaches mandala–kalaśa nyāsa: placing the pūrṇa-śilā in the center, depositing a half-portion in the consecration pot, and installing Nandā and related deities on lotus-diagrams and in the directional corners starting from the Agni (southeast) corner.
It preserves precise, procedural liturgy—diagrammatic worship (padma-mandala), kalaśa consecration, and direction-based deity installation—showing the Agni Purana’s coverage of practical tantric-ritual technology alongside its many other disciplines.
Correct nyāsa is held to stabilize the rite, sanctify the ritual space and offerings, and align worship with cosmic directions—supporting purity (śuddhi), successful invocation (āvāhana), and the intended merit (puṇya) of the ceremony.