Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 31
वागीश्वरीपूजा
The Worship of Vāgīśvarī
द्विपदं कमलं वीथी पट्टिका दिक्षु पङ्कजम् चतुष्कं पृष्ठतो वीथी पदिका द्विपदान्यथा
dvipadaṃ kamalaṃ vīthī paṭṭikā dikṣu paṅkajam catuṣkaṃ pṛṣṭhato vīthī padikā dvipadānyathā
دو پَد (دْوِپَد) کی ترتیب کو ‘کمل’ کہا جاتا ہے۔ ‘ویथِی’ راہداری ہے اور ‘پٹّکا’ پٹی/بند ہے۔ سمتوں میں اسی کو ‘پنکج’ بھی کہتے ہیں۔ ‘چتُشک’ (چار اکائی) ترتیب مقرر ہے؛ اس کے پیچھے ‘ویثی’ ہوتی ہے۔ ‘پدِکا’ بھی اسی طرح دو پَد کی ہے۔
Lord Agni (instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Temple/vedi plan-making: naming and placing bands, passages, and lotus-based pada-arrangements in a mandala grid for construction drawings.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Kamala–Vīthī–Paṭṭikā–Paṅkaja–Catuṣka–Padikā (pada-layout terms)","lookup_keywords":["kamala","vīthī","paṭṭikā","paṅkaja","catuṣka"],"quick_summary":"Defines standard vāstu-mandala components: a two-pada ‘kamala’ arrangement, directional ‘paṅkaja’ designation, the vīthī passage, paṭṭikā band, and a catuṣka (four-unit) arrangement with rear passage; padikā is also two-pada."}
Concept: Sacred space is made efficacious through correct proportion, naming, and directional organization of the mandala.
Application: Use standardized vāstu vocabulary to avoid errors in drafting, staking-out, and ritual consecration layouts.
Khanda Section: Vastu-shastra (Temple Architecture and Mandala/Vedi Layouts)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A temple-plan diagram showing a lotus-like grid: two-pada ‘kamala’ cells, directional lotus labels, a rear vīthī passage, and a paṭṭikā band marked as strips.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural aesthetic, flat yet ornate: sacred mandala diagram painted on a wall panel, lotus-grid with labeled vīthī and paṭṭikā bands, earthy reds and greens, fine linework, traditional borders","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style: central mandala diagram on a wooden panel, embossed gold leaf outlining lotus petals and grid bands (paṭṭikā), rich jewel tones, symmetrical vāstu-plan presentation","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting: instructional architectural folio, clean grid lines, annotated lotus-based pada layout, subtle shading, precise labels for vīthī/paṭṭikā/catuṣka","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: architect-scribe presenting a lotus-mandala plan on paper, delicate geometry, marginal notes, subdued palette with fine detailing and patterned borders"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: No major external sandhi; dvipadāni = dvi-padāni (dvigu). pṛṣṭhataḥ is tas-derivative avyaya.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Vastu/mandala-prakaraṇa sections around 319 (door, vīthī, pada-vinyāsa definitions)
FAQs
It defines Vastu-plan terminology and measurements—how two-pada and four-unit divisions are named (kamala/pankaja) and how pathways (vīthī) and strips (paṭṭikā, padikā) are positioned within a mandala-style architectural grid.
Beyond mythology, the Agni Purana preserves applied technical knowledge: here it catalogs precise architectural planning terms used for laying out sacred/ritual spaces, showing its role as a compendium of sciences like Vastu and temple design.
Correctly proportioned and named spatial divisions support ritually pure construction; aligning passages and directional layouts is understood to harmonize the structure with sacred order (dik and mandala), aiding auspiciousness and merit in temple or altar building.