Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 37
वागीश्वरीपूजा
The Worship of Vāgīśvarī
पद्मानि पञ्च शुक्लानि मध्ये पूज्यश् च निष्कलः हृदयादीनि पूर्वादौ विदिक्ष्वस्त्राणि वै यजेत्
padmāni pañca śuklāni madhye pūjyaś ca niṣkalaḥ hṛdayādīni pūrvādau vidikṣvastrāṇi vai yajet
Iayos ang limang puting lotus, at sa gitna ay sambahin ang Walang-Anyo (Niṣkala). Mula sa silangan, isagawa ang pagsamba sa hṛdaya (mantra ng puso) at iba pang aṅga-mantra; at sa mga pagitaning direksiyon ay sambahin ang mga astra-mantra (mantra ng sandata).
Lord Agni (in discourse to sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purāṇa narration frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Tantra","practical_application":"Pūjā-vidhi for mandala worship: arranging lotus seats, central Niṣkala worship, and directional aṅga/astramantra offerings.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Pañca-śukla-padma vinyāsa with Niṣkala-madhya and aṅga/astramantra-dikpūjā","lookup_keywords":["pañca padma","śukla-padma","niṣkala","hṛdaya-aṅga-mantra","astra-mantra"],"quick_summary":"Place five white lotuses, worship the formless center, then perform aṅga-mantra worship from the east and astra-mantra worship in the intermediate directions for protective completion."}
Concept: Niṣkala (formless) is worshipped through structured supports—lotus vinyāsa, aṅga-nyāsa, and protective astra layers.
Application: In daily/temple worship, combine inner contemplation (niṣkala) with outer ritual sequencing (dik-krama) for completeness and protection.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Mantra-nyasa, Yantra/Mandala worship, Astra-mantra application)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritual altar with five white lotus seats arranged around a central space where the formless Niṣkala is worshipped; priest performs aṅga-mantra nyāsa from the east and offers astra-mantras to the intermediate directions.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, priest in traditional attire before a mandala altar, five white lotuses, luminous central niṣkala space (aniconic glow), directional markers, subtle depiction of vidik guardians, flat ornate style","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-highlighted lotus seats (five white lotuses), central radiant aniconic presence, priest performing nyāsa gestures, gold borders indicating directions, rich temple interior","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear instructional layout of five-lotus arrangement, arrows from east showing sequence of hṛdayādi aṅga-mantras, intermediate directions labeled for astra-mantras, refined linework","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, intimate shrine scene with detailed floor mandala, five white lotuses, priest gesturing nyāsa, attendants holding ritual items, delicate directional geometry"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: pūjyaś ca = pūjyaḥ ca; vidikṣvastrāṇi = vidikṣu astrāṇi.
Related Themes: Agni Purana pūjā-vidhi sections on nyāsa (hṛdayādi-aṅga), dikpūjā, and maṇḍala-vinyāsa (same khanda sequence)
FAQs
It teaches a mandala-style worship layout: place five white lotuses, worship the Niṣkala in the center, then apply aṅga-mantras (hṛdaya etc.) from the east and deploy astra-mantras in the intercardinal directions for ritual protection.
It preserves precise procedural details of mantra-rituals—directional sequencing, aṅga-nyāsa, and astra-protection—showing the Agni Purana’s coverage of practical liturgy and tantric-ritual technology alongside its many other subjects.
Centering worship on the Niṣkala emphasizes contemplation of the formless absolute, while aṅga- and astra-mantras sanctify and protect the ritual space—supporting purity, concentration, and the merit (puṇya) of correctly performed worship.