Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 38
The Description of the Sarvatobhadra Maṇḍala (सर्वतोभद्रमण्डलकथनम्)
दिक्षु तत्राष्टकं लिखेदिति ख, ग, घ, चिह्नितपुस्तकपाठः परिमृज्य तथा शोभां पूर्ववत् परिकल्पयेत् वहिः कोणेषु सप्तान्तस्त्रीणि कोष्ठानि मार्जयेत्
dikṣu tatrāṣṭakaṃ likhediti kha, ga, gha, cihnitapustakapāṭhaḥ parimṛjya tathā śobhāṃ pūrvavat parikalpayet vahiḥ koṇeṣu saptāntastrīṇi koṣṭhāni mārjayet
وہاں سمتوں میں ‘اَشٹک’ لکھا جائے—یہی کھ، گ، گھ کے نشان زدہ مخطوطات کی قراءت ہے۔ اسے صاف کر کے پہلے کی طرح آرائش مرتب کی جائے۔ باہر کونوں میں سات اور اندر تین خانوں کو پاک و صاف کیا جائے۔
Lord Agni (in instruction mode to the sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purana dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Yantra/mandala inscription by directions (aṣṭaka), followed by purification/cleaning (mārjana) and decorative arrangement; practical for consecration and worship-space preparation.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Aṣṭaka-lekhana and mārjana: directional inscription and compartment cleansing","lookup_keywords":["aṣṭaka","yantra-lekhana","dikṣu","mārjana","koṣṭha cleansing"],"quick_summary":"Inscribe the directional ‘octad’ on the diagram, then cleanse and re-ornament as prescribed. Purify corner compartments with a specified outer/inner count (seven outside, three inside) to complete ritual readiness."}
Concept: Śuddhi (purification) and lekhanā (inscription) together make a space fit for devatā-āveśa/ārādhana; form supports presence.
Application: Before worship, standardize diagram drawing and cleaning steps; treat corners and compartments as energetically sensitive zones requiring explicit mārjana.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Yantra-lekhana (Ritual diagram inscription and purification procedures)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritual diagram on the floor: eight directional markers (aṣṭaka) inscribed around a central figure; a priest cleanses the diagram with cloth/water; corner compartments are counted and highlighted—seven outside, three inside.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural look: priest in traditional attire drawing a mandala with natural pigments, eight directions indicated with stylized symbols, assistants performing mārjana at corners, deep reds/ochres","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting: luminous mandala with gold accents on directional petals and corner compartments, priest holding a kalasha and cloth, ornate temple floor patterning","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style instructional mandala: crisp geometry, labeled eight directions, corner koṣṭhas numbered 7 (outer) and 3 (inner), calm palette, didactic clarity","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature interior: ritualist drawing on a white floor with ink and ruler, attendants with water vessels, the mandala’s eightfold directions and corner compartments rendered with fine detail"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तत्राष्टकं = तत्र अष्टकम्; लिखेदिति = लिखेत् इति; सप्तान्तस्त्रीणि = सप्त अन्तः त्रीणि.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 29 (yantra/mandala drawing and pūjā-vidhi sequence)
FAQs
It gives a technical step in yantra/mandala construction: inscribe the directional ‘octad’ (aṣṭaka), then wipe/purify the diagram and clean specified corner compartments (koṣṭhas) to complete the prescribed layout.
Beyond theology, it preserves practical liturgical engineering—how to physically prepare, inscribe, and finish ritual diagrams with counted cells and directional structure—showing the Purana’s coverage of applied ritual technology.
Cleaning (mārjana/parimārjana) and orderly directional inscription are acts of ritual purity and correctness, believed to remove defects (doṣa) in worship and ensure the rite becomes auspicious and efficacious.