Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 11
सकलादिमन्त्रोद्धारः (Sakalādi-mantra-uddhāra) — Chapter Colophon/Transition
आरक्तं कमलं मध्ये वाह्यपद्मानि तद्वहिः सिता तु वीथिका कार्या द्वाराणि तु यथेच्छया
āraktaṃ kamalaṃ madhye vāhyapadmāni tadvahiḥ sitā tu vīthikā kāryā dvārāṇi tu yathecchayā
Sa gitna, gumawa ng lotus na mapulang kulay; sa labas nito, ayusin ang mga panlabas na lotus (mga talulot). Dapat likhain ang puting daanan (vīthikā), at ang mga tarangkahan ay maaaring ilagay ayon sa nais.
Lord Agni (in discourse to sage Vashistha, Agni Purana narrative frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Color-coded mandala/lotus zoning for a temple/altar layout: central red lotus, outer lotuses, a white circumambulatory walkway, and flexible placement of gateways.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Lotus-Zoned Mandala with White Vīthikā and Gateways","lookup_keywords":["ārakta kamala","bāhya padma","śvetā vīthikā","dvāra-vinyāsa","mandala layout"],"quick_summary":"The layout prescribes a red central lotus and outer lotus zones, with a white processional path. Gateways may be positioned as desired, indicating adaptable access while preserving the sacred core geometry."}
Concept: Sacred space is organized as a graded cosmos: a potent center (red lotus), expanding periphery (outer lotuses), and a purifying circulation path (white vīthikā).
Application: In designing worship spaces, preserve a strong central sanctum-zone, provide clear circumambulatory circulation, and place entrances to suit terrain and crowd-flow without disturbing the core mandala.
Khanda Section: Vastu-shastra (Mandala, Temple/Altar Layout and Architectural Planning)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A top-down sacred plan: a red lotus at the center, concentric outer lotus forms, a white circumambulatory walkway encircling them, and gateways placed around the perimeter as needed.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, concentric lotus mandala with central red lotus and outer petals, white ring walkway, small gateways on the boundary, bold outlines, earthy tones with striking red center, temple-floor aesthetic","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, radiant central red lotus with gold accents, outer lotus rings ornamented, white vīthikā rendered as pearl-like band, gateways as ornate gopura motifs, rich gold work and saturated colors","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, precise architectural diagram with color cues (red center, white path), labeled vīthikā and dvāras, clean composition suitable for instruction, delicate shading","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, manuscript-style plan view of a garden-temple mandala with red central lotus, pale walkway ring, gateways on edges, fine border illumination and calligraphic labels"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shuddha Saveri","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: tadvahiḥ → tat-bahiḥ; yathecchayā → yathā-icchayā.
Related Themes: Agni Purana: mandala/vedi layout instructions contiguous with 317.8–317.10
FAQs
It gives Vastu/ritual-layout guidance for drawing or constructing a lotus (padma) mandala: a red central lotus, outer lotus elements around it, a white circumambulatory walkway, and placement of entrances.
Beyond theology, it preserves applied technical knowledge—sacred geometry and architectural/ritual planning (Vastu)—showing the Agni Purana’s role as a practical manual for constructing and arranging sacred spaces.
A properly ordered mandala with defined center, perimeter, and entrances supports disciplined worship (puja), orderly movement (circumambulation), and the consecration of space—traditionally held to enhance ritual purity and merit.