Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 4
Chapter 94 — शिलाविन्यासविधानम्
The Procedure for Laying the Foundation Stones
नकारारूढमूलेन कुम्भे ऽस्मिन् धारयेच्छिलां कुम्भानष्टौ सभद्रादीन् दिक्षु पूर्वादिषु क्रमात्
nakārārūḍhamūlena kumbhe 'smin dhārayecchilāṃ kumbhānaṣṭau sabhadrādīn dikṣu pūrvādiṣu kramāt
ด้วยมูลมนตร์ที่อาศัยพยางค์ “นะ” พึงตั้งศิลาไว้ในกุมภะนี้ แล้วพึงจัดกุมภะพิธีแปดใบ เริ่มด้วย “สภัทรา” ไว้ตามทิศตะวันออกเป็นต้นโดยลำดับ
Lord Agni (narrating ritual procedure to the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Vastu","practical_application":"Kumbha-sthāpana empowered by bīja/root-mantra (na-kāra) and directional placement of eight kumbhas for dikpāla-nyāsa.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Na-kāra Root-mantra Kumbha: Stone Stabilization and Eight Directional Pots","lookup_keywords":["na-kāra","mūla-mantra","kumbha","dikpāla","aṣṭa-kumbha"],"quick_summary":"Empower the central kumbha with a na-kāra-based root-mantra and steady a stone within it; then place eight kumbhas in the eight directions starting from the East, beginning with Sabhadrā."}
Concept: Sound (bīja/varṇa) as a carrier of śakti; space is ritually organized through directional guardians.
Application: Use mantra-syllable anchoring and strict directional sequencing to ‘seal’ the ritual field.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Tantra-mantra-kalpa (Kumbha-sthapana and Dikpala-nyasa)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A central ritual pot with a stone being placed inside while a priest recites a na-kāra root-mantra; eight additional pots arranged around it in the eight directions, each marked with its deity-name starting with Sabhadrā in the East.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, circular mandala floor, central kumbha with stone visible at mouth, priest chanting, eight kumbhas around with directional markers, earthy reds and ochres, stylized script-like labels for Sabhadrā etc.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, central kumbha with gold embossing, eight surrounding kumbhas with gold halos, directional compass motif, ornate ritual cloth, devotional symmetry.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, diagrammatic clarity: compass rose, eight kumbhas precisely placed, priest holding japa-mālā, subtle depiction of mantra syllable ‘na’ near central pot, instructional composition.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, top-down courtyard view with eight pots in perfect geometry, attendants placing vessels, fine calligraphy cartouches naming directions and Sabhadrā, delicate shading on metal pots."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"focused","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: कुम्भे ऽस्मिन् = कुम्भे अस्मिन्; धारयेच्छिलां = धारयेत् शिलाम्; नकारारूढमूलेन = नकार-आरूढ-मूलेन
Related Themes: Agni Purana 94 (kumbha-sthāpana, dik-nyāsa, mantra-kalpa sections)
FAQs
It teaches kumbha-sthāpana with mantra-application: stabilizing the main ritual pot with a stone and placing eight auxiliary pots direction-wise (dik-krama) beginning from the East.
It preserves precise, implementable liturgical engineering—mantra usage, physical setup (stone support), and spatial (directional) arrangement—showing the Agni Purana’s coverage of practical temple/household ritual protocols alongside theology.
Correct mantra-linked placement and directional order are treated as essential for ritual purity, protection, and efficacy—ensuring the rite becomes ‘properly installed’ (sthāpita) and yields auspicious, unobstructed results.