Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 18
वागीश्वरीपूजा
The Worship of Vāgīśvarī
मध्ये ऽब्जं पट्टिकावीजं द्वारेणाब्जस्य मानतः कण्ठोपकण्ठमुक्तानि तद्वाह्ये वीथिका मता
madhye 'bjaṃ paṭṭikāvījaṃ dvāreṇābjasya mānataḥ kaṇṭhopakaṇṭhamuktāni tadvāhye vīthikā matā
Sa gitna ay ang “abja” (ubod na anyong lotus); ang “paṭṭikā-bīja” (binhi/modyul ng gitnang piraso) ay itinatakda ayon sa pintuan, batay sa sukat ng abja. Ang mga sangkap na tinatawag na “kaṇṭha” at “upakaṇṭha” ay inilalatag na magkahiwalay; at sa labas nito ay itinuturing na vīthikā (daanan/linya).
Lord Agni (teaching Vāstu principles to the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Planning a lotus-based mandala layout: defining the central lotus core, sizing the central strip module by the doorway measure, distinguishing kaṇṭha/upakaṇṭha zones, and establishing the outer passage (vīthikā).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Abja-Centered Plan: Paṭṭikā-bīja by Door Measure; Kaṇṭha–Upakaṇṭha and Vīthikā","lookup_keywords":["abja-madhya","pattika-bija","dvara-mana","kantha-upakantha","vithika"],"quick_summary":"Place a lotus-core at the center; determine the central strip’s module from the doorway in proportion to the lotus measure; keep kaṇṭha and upakaṇṭha elements distinct, and define the outer vīthikā as the surrounding passage."}
Concept: Sacred space is generated by proportion (māna) and hierarchy: center (abja) → threshold (dvāra) → circulation (vīthikā).
Application: In design, fix modules from key functional elements (doorway) while preserving symbolic center and clear transitional bands (kaṇṭha/upakaṇṭha).
Khanda Section: Vāstu-śāstra (Architecture & Spatial Planning)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A plan-view architectural mandala: central lotus (abja), a measured doorway determining a central strip module (paṭṭikā-bīja), labeled kaṇṭha and upakaṇṭha bands, and an outer ring marked as vīthikā passage.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural aesthetic applied to a sacred plan: stylized lotus at center, thick bands for kaṇṭha/upakaṇṭha, outer vīthikā ring, warm mineral colors, temple-plan rendered as sacred diagram with minimal labels","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style sacred blueprint: central lotus with gold-leaf outline, doorway highlighted with gold, concentric bands for kaṇṭha/upakaṇṭha, outer vīthikā as ornate border, rich reds and greens","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, crisp instructional plan drawing with gentle shading, clear proportional marks from doorway to central strip, labeled zones, emphasis on symmetry and measurement","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature of an architect presenting a lotus-centered plan to a patron, plan sheet showing abja, dvāra-based module, kaṇṭha/upakaṇṭha bands, and vīthikā ring; fine geometric detailing"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ऽब्जं = अब्जम्; द्वारेणाब्जस्य = द्वारेण अब्जस्य; कण्ठोपकण्ठमुक्तानि = कण्ठ-उपकण्ठ-मुक्तानि; तद्वाह्ये = तत्-वाह्ये
Related Themes: Agni Purana 42-43 (general vastu/mandala themes—broad internal linkage); Agni Purana 319.19-20 (continuation of the same layout)
FAQs
It defines Vāstu layout terminology and proportional planning: identifying the central ‘abja’ (lotus-core), deriving a key module (paṭṭikā-bīja) with reference to the doorway, distinguishing the kaṇṭha/upakaṇṭha border-zones, and naming the outer circulation space as the vīthikā (passage/lane).
Beyond myth and devotion, it preserves technical architectural vocabulary and planning rules—showing the Agni Purana’s coverage of applied sciences like Vāstu-śāstra alongside ritual, theology, and governance.
Correct spatial ordering in sacred or domestic construction is traditionally held to support harmony (śānti), auspiciousness, and ritual efficacy by aligning built space with prescribed cosmic/mandalic proportions.