Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 8
Chapter 94 — शिलाविन्यासविधानम्
The Procedure for Laying the Foundation Stones
ब्रह्माणं चोपरि मस्य व्यापकं च महेश्वरं चिन्तयेदेषु चाधानं व्योमप्रसादमध्यगं
brahmāṇaṃ copari masya vyāpakaṃ ca maheśvaraṃ cintayedeṣu cādhānaṃ vyomaprasādamadhyagaṃ
พึงเพ่งนึกพระพรหมอยู่เหนือกาย และระลึกถึงพระมหेशวรผู้แผ่ซ่านทั่วสรรพสิ่ง; แล้วประกอบพิธีอาธานะ (การวางนยาส) ณ ตำแหน่งเหล่านี้ โดยสถาปนาไว้ ณ กึ่งกลางวโยมปราสาท (ปราสาททิพย์)
Lord Agni (in instruction to sage Vasiṣṭha, standard Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Dhyāna and nyāsa sequencing in pūjā: visualizing deities in vertical and all-pervading positions before performing ādhāna (ritual placement) within the imagined vyoma-prāsāda (celestial shrine).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Vyoma-prāsāda Dhyāna and Ādhāna (Brahmā above, Maheśvara all-pervading)","lookup_keywords":["dhyana","adhana","vyoma-prasada","Brahma upari","Maheshvara vyapaka"],"quick_summary":"Before nyāsa/ādhāna, the sādhaka visualizes Brahmā above and Maheśvara as all-pervading, then performs placement in the mid-region of the imagined celestial palace."}
Concept: Deity as both localized (stationed) and all-pervading; ritual efficacy through correct inner placement (bhāvanā + nyāsa).
Application: Use layered visualization (ūrdhva–vyāpaka–madhya) to stabilize attention and sanctify the ritual field before mantra/nyāsa.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Dhyana / Nyasa / Devata-visualization)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A sādhaka seated in meditation visualizing a luminous celestial palace (vyoma-prāsāda); Brahmā above like a crown, Maheśvara as a vast aura filling all directions; a central altar-space marked for ādhāna.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, flat vibrant colors, sacred geometry; yogi in dhyāna inside a glowing vyoma-prāsāda; Brahmā above with four faces, Maheśvara as an all-encompassing blue-white halo; central altar marked for ādhāna, ornate borders.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting with gold leaf; celestial prāsāda with gilded arches; Brahmā enthroned above, Maheśvara as radiant aureole surrounding the scene; central ritual pedestal for ādhāna, rich jewelry and embossed details.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, delicate linework; instructional composition showing vertical placement: Brahmā at top register, Maheśvara as background omnipresence, central mandala/altar for ādhāna; soft pastel palette.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, fine detailing; a scholar-sādhaka in a pavilion-like celestial palace; Brahmā depicted in upper margin, Maheśvara suggested as a translucent cosmic field; central ritual placement scene with precise architectural perspective."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: चोपरि = च + उपरि; मस्य = अस्य (IAST ‘masya’ treated as sandhi/orthographic for ‘asya’); चिन्तयेदेषु = चिन्तयेत् + एषु; चाधानं = च + आधानम्; व्योमप्रसादमध्यगं = व्योमप्रसादमध्यगम् (final m before pause).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 94 (pūjā-vidhi: dhyāna/nyāsa sequence)
FAQs
It teaches a dhyāna-based ritual sequence: visualize Brahmā above, contemplate Maheśvara as all-pervading, and then perform ādhāna (ritual placement/establishment) within the envisioned sacred structure (vyoma-prāsāda).
It exemplifies the Agni Purāṇa’s practical ritual manual aspect—mapping cosmological deities (Brahmā, Śiva) onto a structured visualization used for installation/nyāsa, blending theology with procedural liturgy.
By installing the rite within a purified inner ‘celestial palace’ visualization and recognizing Śiva’s pervasion, the practitioner sacralizes body and space, aiming at purification, steadiness of mind, and increased ritual efficacy (puṇya).