Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 20
वागीश्वरीपूजा
The Worship of Vāgīśvarī
तद्वाह्ये पञ्च पदिका वीथिका यत्र भूषिता पद्मवद्द्वारकण्ठन्तु पदिकञ्चौष्ठकण्ठकं
tadvāhye pañca padikā vīthikā yatra bhūṣitā padmavaddvārakaṇṭhantu padikañcauṣṭhakaṇṭhakaṃ
Sa labas ng ayos ng pinto/hangganang iyon, dapat may limang baitang; at dapat may pinalamuting vīthikā (pasilyo o bulwagan sa pasukan). Ang “kaṇṭha” ng pintuan (bahaging masikip na parang leeg sa hamba) ay dapat maging anyong lotus; at ang katangian ng baitang at ang hulmang “oṣṭha–kaṇṭhaka” (labi–leeg) ay dapat ding ilagay ayon sa tuntunin.
Lord Agni (in dialogue to Sage Vasiṣṭha, traditional frame of the Agni Purana)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Specifying doorway and approach details: five steps outside, a decorated vestibule/passage, lotus-like doorway necking, and prescribed mouldings (padikā; oṣṭha–kaṇṭhaka) for correct architectural articulation.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Doorway Approach: Five Steps, Decorated Vīthikā, Lotus-like Kaṇṭha, Oṣṭha–Kaṇṭhaka Moulding","lookup_keywords":["panchapadika","vithika-bhushita","dvara-kantha","padmavat","oshtha-kanthaka"],"quick_summary":"Provide five exterior steps and an ornamented vestibule; shape the doorway’s kaṇṭha in a lotus-like manner and include the specified step-feature and oṣṭha–kaṇṭhaka moulding for canonical finish."}
Concept: Right form (rūpa) and right sequence (krama) at the threshold uphold auspiciousness and proper ritual entry.
Application: Design entrances with graded approach (steps), clear transitional space (vīthikā), and correct mouldings to support both movement and sanctity.
Khanda Section: Vastu-shastra (Temple Architecture and Measurements)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A temple or sacred structure entrance showing five steps leading to a decorated vestibule; the doorway jamb/neck is profiled like a lotus, with clearly articulated lip-and-neck mouldings.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural depiction of a temple threshold: five broad steps, ornamented vīthikā corridor, doorway with lotus-like kaṇṭha profile, stylized mouldings, warm mineral palette and bold contours","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting of a grand entrance: five steps with gold accents, richly decorated vestibule, doorway framed by lotus motifs and gold-leaf mouldings, oṣṭha–kaṇṭhaka emphasized as ornate relief","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, semi-technical elevation drawing: five-step count clearly visible, vīthikā ornamentation, lotus-profiled doorway neck, labelled moulding bands including oṣṭha and kaṇṭhaka","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature architectural study: detailed entrance elevation with five steps, decorated passage, lotus-inspired jamb profile, fine rendering of mouldings and stone texture, bordered by floral margins"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Hamsadhwani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तद्वाह्ये = तत्-वाह्ये; पद्मवद्द्वारकण्ठन्तु = पद्मवत् द्वार-कण्ठम् तु; पदिकञ्चौष्ठकण्ठकं = पदिकाम् च ओष्ठ-कण्ठकम्
Related Themes: Agni Purana 319.18-19 (mandala and vīthikā context)
FAQs
It gives a Vāstu-śāstra specification for temple/structure entrances: five steps outside, an ornamented vestibule (vīthikā), and prescribed doorway mouldings including lotus-like necking (dvāra-kaṇṭha) and the oṣṭha–kaṇṭhaka profile.
Beyond theology, the Agni Purana preserves applied technical canons—here, architectural detailing of entrances (steps, vestibules, mouldings), showing its coverage of design standards alongside ritual and doctrine.
In Purāṇic Vāstu, correct entrance proportions and auspicious motifs (like the lotus) are believed to harmonize the space, support purity and prosperity, and remove inauspiciousness at the threshold where worshippers enter.