Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 46
The Description of the Sarvatobhadra Maṇḍala (सर्वतोभद्रमण्डलकथनम्)
चत्वारिंशत्ततो वीथी शेषपङ्क्तित्रयेण च द्वारशोभोपशोभाः स्युर्दिक्षु मध्ये विलोप्य च
catvāriṃśattato vīthī śeṣapaṅktitrayeṇa ca dvāraśobhopaśobhāḥ syurdikṣu madhye vilopya ca
اس کے بعد چالیس گلیاں/راہداریاں مقرر کی جائیں۔ باقی تین قطاروں سے دروازوں کی اصلی اور ذیلی آرائشیں سمتوں میں رکھی جائیں، اور بین السمتوں کے وسطی حصے کو حذف کر دیا جائے۔
Lord Agni (in instruction to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Mandala-grid planning for temple/settlement layout: allocating vīthīs (streets/avenues) and positioning gate-ornaments while keeping diagonal/intermediate-direction centers unobstructed.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Vīthī-saṅkhyā and Dvāra-śobhā placement with diagonal-center omission","lookup_keywords":["vīthī","dvāraśobhā","upaśobhā","mandala grid","vilope (omission)"],"quick_summary":"Prescribes a 40-vīthī layout and instructs that gate-ornaments be arranged using the remaining grid rows, while omitting the central portions in intermediate (diagonal) directions to preserve symmetry and circulation."}
Concept: Ritual geometry: auspiciousness arises from proportion, symmetry, and regulated voids/omissions in the plan.
Application: Use directional rules to avoid blocking diagonal centers; maintain balanced circulation and visual hierarchy at gateways.
Khanda Section: Vastu-shastra (Temple Architecture and Mandala Planning)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A temple-plan mandala drawn as a square grid with forty processional streets indicated; gateways on cardinal sides show ornament bands, while diagonal-center cells are left blank/omitted.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural aesthetic showing a stylized vāstu-puruṣa maṇḍala grid, bold flat colors, thick outlines; cardinal gateways ornamented, diagonal centers left as clear voids; priests measuring with cords.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting with gold-leaf accents highlighting the main gateway ornaments (dvāraśobhā) on a geometric mandala; rich reds/greens; sacred architecture diagram presented like a consecration chart.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style instructional illustration: clean linework of a square mandala grid labeled vīthī counts and omitted diagonal centers; subtle pastel washes; architect (sthapati) with measuring rod.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature of an architect presenting a detailed plan on paper to a patron; precise grid, annotated gateways, diagonal-center omissions; fine borders and architectural detailing."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: syur dikṣu = syuḥ + dikṣu; dvārashobhopaśobhāḥ = dvāra-śobhā-upaśobhāḥ (compound); vilopya is ktvānta from vi+lup.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 29 (Vāstu/mandala and dvāra-vidhi context)
FAQs
It gives a Vāstu-planning rule: the prescribed count/placement of streets (vīthī) and how to distribute gate-ornaments (śobhā/upaśobhā) on the grid while omitting the central segment in certain directional placements.
Beyond theology, it preserves practical architectural and urban-design norms—street grids, directional planning, and entrance ornamentation—showing the Agni Purana’s coverage of applied sciences like Vāstu-śāstra.
Correct directional layout and regulated entrances are treated as maintaining auspicious flow (śubha) in sacred/royal spaces; following Vāstu injunctions is traditionally held to support harmony, prosperity, and ritual purity of the site.