Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 17
वागीश्वरीपूजा
The Worship of Vāgīśvarī
भुक्तिवृद्धौ च वश्यादौ बालं पद्मं समानकं नवनाभं नवहस्तं भागैर् मन्त्रात्मकैश् च तत्
bhuktivṛddhau ca vaśyādau bālaṃ padmaṃ samānakaṃ navanābhaṃ navahastaṃ bhāgair mantrātmakaiś ca tat
Para sa pagdami ng bhukti (kasaganaan at ginhawang makamundo) at para sa mga ritwal na nagsisimula sa vaśya (pang-akit/pagpasunod), ihanda ang “bāla-padma” (batang lotus-diagram) na magkakapantay ang sukat, na may navanābha (siyam na gitna) at navahasta (siyam na braso/talulot); at ang diyagram ay hatiin sa mga bahaging may kalikasang mantra, ibig sabihi’y bawat bahagi ay itinatalaga/isinusulatang may tiyak na mantra.
Lord Agni (instructing sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Construction of a padma-yantra (bāla-padma) with specified geometry (nine hubs, nine arms/petals) and mantra-allocation for prosperity and vaśyādi rites.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Bāla-Padma Yantra for Bhukti-vṛddhi and Vaśyādi (Navanābha–Navahasta)","lookup_keywords":["bala-padma","padma-yantra","navanabha","navahasta","vashyadi"],"quick_summary":"Prepare a uniformly proportioned lotus-diagram with nine hubs and nine arms/petals; divide it into mantra-constituted sections by assigning/inscribing appropriate mantras for the intended rite."}
Concept: Mantra becomes operative through ordered form (yantra) and correct partitioning (bhāga) aligned to intention (saṅkalpa).
Application: When doing mantra-sādhanā, ensure the supporting yantra is proportionate and each segment is correctly assigned; efficacy is tied to structure and intention.
Khanda Section: Tantra-Mantra / Yantra-Kalpa (Vashyadi-sadhana and Padma-yantra prayoga)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shringara
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A geometric lotus yantra labeled ‘bāla-padma’ with nine central hubs and nine petals/arms, each compartment inscribed with seed-mantras; a sādhaka prepares it for prosperity and vaśya rites.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, large central lotus yantra with nine hubs and nine petals, compartments filled with stylized bīja-akṣaras, sādhaka seated with ritual implements, muted temple palette, symmetrical composition","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, radiant lotus yantra with gold-leaf outlining petals and hubs, mantra syllables in red, sādhaka with puja tray, lamps and conch, prosperity motifs (kalasha, grains) subtly included","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, diagrammatic clarity: nine-hub nine-petal lotus with clean labels, sections divided precisely, instructional aesthetic with gentle colors and fine borders","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, artisan-scribe drawing the lotus diagram on paper/cloth, meticulous calligraphy in each segment, courtly interior with instruments, fine floral margins echoing the padma"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: भुक्तिवृद्धौ = भुक्ति-वृद्धौ; वश्यादौ = वश्य-आदौ; नवनाभं = नव-नाभम्; नवहस्तं = नव-हस्तम्; भागैर् = भागैः; मन्त्रात्मकैश् = मन्त्र-आत्मकैः
Related Themes: Agni Purana 319 (padma-yantra and vashyadi-sadhana sequence)
FAQs
It specifies the construction-standard of a padma-yantra used for bhukti-vṛddhi and vaśyādi rites: a symmetric ‘bāla’ lotus diagram with nine hubs and nine arms/petals, partitioned so each section is assigned/inscribed with a mantra.
Beyond myth and theology, it preserves operational ritual technology—diagrammatic (yantra) design parameters tied to mantra-allocation—showing the Agni Purana’s coverage of applied tantric/ritual sciences alongside other disciplines.
It frames prosperity and vaśya-oriented outcomes as dependent on correct ritual form (symmetry, prescribed divisions, mantra-embedding), implying that precision in sacred procedure is itself a dharmic safeguard and the basis for efficacious results.