Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 9
Chapter 94 — शिलाविन्यासविधानम्
The Procedure for Laying the Foundation Stones
बलिन्दत्त्वा जपेदस्त्रं विघ्नदोषनिवारणं शिलापञ्चकपक्षे ऽपि मनागुद्दिश्यते यथा
balindattvā japedastraṃ vighnadoṣanivāraṇaṃ śilāpañcakapakṣe 'pi manāguddiśyate yathā
เมื่อถวายบลีแล้ว พึงสวดอัสตรมนตร์เพื่อขจัดอุปสรรคและโทษทั้งปวง; แม้ในกาลที่เรียกว่า “ศิลา-ปัญจก-ปักษะ” ก็ยังบัญญัติให้กระทำโดยสมควร พร้อมการระบุเพียงเล็กน้อยตามควร
Lord Agni (in dialogue, typically instructing sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Vighna-nivāraṇa: offering bali then reciting an astra-mantra to remove ritual obstacles/defects, including during inauspicious/constraint periods (e.g., śilā-pañcaka-pakṣa) with proper minimal specification.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Bali + Astra-japa for Vighna-doṣa-nivāraṇa (including Śilā-pañcaka-pakṣa)","lookup_keywords":["bali","astra-mantra","vighna-nivarana","dosha","shila-panchaka-paksha"],"quick_summary":"After bali, recite the astra-mantra to neutralize obstacles and ritual faults; the rite may be applied even in restricted periods when done in the prescribed manner."}
Weapon Type: Astra (mantra-weapon; protective discharge)
Concept: Ritual obstacles (vighna) are countered through offering (bali) and mantra-śakti (astra-japa), showing primacy of disciplined procedure over omens.
Application: When facing interruptions, defects, or inauspicious timing, perform bali and astra-japa as a standardized corrective measure.
Khanda Section: Agneya-vidyā (Mantra–Astra Prayoga; Vighna-nivāraṇa rites)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritualist offers bali at the edge of a maṇḍala, then recites an astra-mantra, projecting a protective ring of fire/light around the worship space; calendar/fortnight symbolism hinted as stone markers (śilā-pañcaka).","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, bold reds and greens; priest near a maṇḍala offering bali; fiery circular aura (astra) expanding; five stone icons along the border indicating śilā-pañcaka; guardian motifs at the corners.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style with gold; bali plate in foreground, priest chanting; golden flame-ring encircling the shrine; embossed five-stone motif on the frame; rich temple ornaments.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional layout: step 1 bali offering, step 2 astra-japa; diagrammatic five stones marking the special pakṣa; subtle protective aura around the mandala.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly precision; a ritual specialist in a pavilion performing bali; translucent flame circle around the ritual ground; marginalia showing five stones and a lunar fortnight chart."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: बलिन्दत्त्वा = बलिम् + दत्त्वा; जपेदस्त्रं = जपेत् + अस्त्रम्; पक्षे ऽपि = पक्षे + अपि; मनागुद्दिश्यते = मनाक् + उद्दिश्यते.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 94 (Agneya-vidyā: mantra–astra prayoga; vighna-nivāraṇa)
FAQs
It prescribes a practical vighna-nivāraṇa method: first offer a bali-oblation, then perform japa of an Astra-mantra specifically intended to ward off obstacles (vighna) and ritual/auspiciousness defects (doṣa).
Beyond mythic narration, the Agni Purana functions as a manual of applied religious technology—here, giving procedural guidance for protective rites (bali + mantra-japa) and noting calendrical/period-based considerations (pakṣa), typical of its compendium style.
By combining bali (appeasement/propitiation) with Astra-mantra japa (protective spiritual force), the act is framed as purification and protection—reducing inauspicious influences and restoring ritual correctness and inner steadiness.