Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 2
Chapter 40 — भूपरिग्रहो नाम
Bhū-parigraha) / अर्घ्यदानविधानम् (Arghya-dāna-vidhāna
चतुःषष्टिपदे क्षेत्रे ईशं कोणार्धसंस्थितं घृताक्षतैस्तर्पयेत्तं पर्जन्यं पदगतं ततः
catuḥṣaṣṭipade kṣetre īśaṃ koṇārdhasaṃsthitaṃ ghṛtākṣataistarpayettaṃ parjanyaṃ padagataṃ tataḥ
Sa isang pook na hinati bilang parilyang animnapu’t apat na parisukat (catuḥṣaṣṭi-pada), dapat payapain at sambahin si Īśa (Śiva) na nasa kalahating-sulok (koṇa-ardha) sa pamamagitan ng ghee at akṣata (buong butil na bigas). Pagkaraan, sambahin si Parjanya, ang diyos ng ulan, ayon sa nakatalagang pada (puwesto sa parilya).
Lord Agni (in discourse to the sage Vasiṣṭha, as typical for Agni Purāṇa instructional sections)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Use a 64-pada (8x8) field-grid to place and propitiate specific deities (Īśa, Parjanya) with prescribed offerings to stabilize the site and invoke fertility/rain.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Devata-pada worship in the 64-square Vāstu grid (Īśa and Parjanya)","lookup_keywords":["64-pada","Īśa corner","ghṛta","akṣata","Parjanya worship"],"quick_summary":"After laying out the 8x8 grid, worship Īśa in the designated corner-sector with ghee and unbroken rice, then worship Parjanya in his assigned pada to support rain and prosperity for the site."}
Concept: Cosmic forces are harmonized through spatial order (maṇḍala) and appropriate offerings; place and offering together constitute efficacy.
Application: When preparing a site (temple/house/field-rite), mark the 8x8 grid, identify the deity-padas, and offer ghṛta and akṣata to Īśa; then perform Parjanya-upacāra for rain/abundance.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Ritual procedure for offerings and propitiation of deities connected with rain and fertility)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: Tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritual field marked into an 8x8 grid; a priest offers ghee and akṣata at the Īśa corner-sector, then proceeds to Parjanya’s designated square with worship items.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, clear 8x8 grid on ochre ground, priest in traditional attire offering ghṛta and akṣata at a corner sector marked ‘Īśa’, Parjanya symbolized with rain clouds and water-pot motif in his pada, temple ambience","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, gold-highlighted ritual vessels (ghṛta pot, akṣata bowl), geometric grid rendered decoratively, Īśa emblem (trident/linga) at corner, Parjanya with cloud-and-rain icon, ornate borders","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional diagram aesthetic: neat 8x8 grid with labeled padas, priest placing offerings at specified squares, minimal background, emphasis on clarity and placement","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, garden/field setting with precise grid lines, attendants holding offerings, subtle depiction of Parjanya as cloud-bearing figure, fine textiles and detailed ritual implements"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shuddha Saveri","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: घृताक्षतैस्तर्पयेत्तं→घृत-अक्षतैः तर्पयेत् तम्; कोणार्धसंस्थितं→कोण-अर्ध-संस्थितम्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana: chapters on vāstu-maṇḍala, pada-devatā-nyāsa, bhū-parīkṣā, and pratiṣṭhā upacāras
FAQs
It teaches a structured puja procedure using a 64-pada ritual grid: propitiate Īśa in a specified corner-sector with ghṛta and akṣata, then worship Parjanya in his allotted grid-position to support rainfall/fertility rites.
It integrates ritual worship with spatial/diagrammatic principles (pada-grid placement), showing how the Agni Purana preserves practical liturgical instructions alongside technical layout knowledge akin to Vāstu/maṇḍala traditions.
By correctly placing and propitiating deities (Īśa and Parjanya) with pure offerings, the rite is understood to harmonize cosmic forces governing rain and prosperity, yielding religious merit and communal well-being.