Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 1
वागीश्वरीपूजा
The Worship of Vāgīśvarī
इत्य् आग्नेये महापुराणे वागीश्वरीपूजा नामाष्टादशाधिकत्रिशततमो ऽध्यायः अथोनविंशत्यधिकत्रिशततमो ऽध्यायः मण्डलानि ईश्वर उवाच सर्वतो भद्रकान्यष्टमण्डलानि वदे गुह शक्तिमासाधयेत् प्राचीमिष्टायां विषुवे सुधीः
ity āgneye mahāpurāṇe vāgīśvarīpūjā nāmāṣṭādaśādhikatriśatatamo 'dhyāyaḥ athonaviṃśatyadhikatriśatatamo 'dhyāyaḥ maṇḍalāni īśvara uvāca sarvato bhadrakānyaṣṭamaṇḍalāni vade guha śaktimāsādhayet prācīmiṣṭāyāṃ viṣuve sudhīḥ
Như vậy, trong Agni Mahāpurāṇa kết thúc chương thứ 319, mang tên “Sự thờ phụng Vāgīśvarī”. Nay bắt đầu chương thứ 320: “Các Maṇḍala”. Đức Chúa phán: “Ta sẽ trình bày tám đồ hình maṇḍala ‘Sarvatobhadra’ (toàn cát tường). Bậc hành giả trí tuệ nên thành tựu (cảm ứng và đạt được) năng lực của Nữ Thần (Śakti) bằng cách cử hành nghi lễ đã định, quay mặt về hướng đông, vào thời điểm xuân/thu phân (equinox).”
Īśvara (the Lord) addressing Guha (Skanda/Kārttikeya)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Puja-vidhi","practical_application":"Selection of auspicious time-directional protocol and mandala-type for Śakti-sādhana aimed at siddhi.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Sarvatobhadra Maṇḍala (Eightfold) & East-facing Equinox Rite","lookup_keywords":["sarvatobhadra","maṇḍala","śakti-sādhana","prācī","viṣuva"],"quick_summary":"Introduces eight all-auspicious mandala-diagrams and prescribes an east-facing performance at the equinox for attaining Śakti’s power (siddhi-oriented sādhana)."}
Concept: Siddhi depends on correct maṇḍala, kāla (viṣuva), and dik (prācī) alignment under īśvara-vidhi.
Application: Choose equinox days; set altar/mandala facing east; employ sarvatobhadra-type diagrams for auspicious, obstacle-reducing sādhana.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Tantra: Maṇḍala-vidhi (Yantra & Mandala ritual diagrams for siddhi)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: śānta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A sādhaka prepares an altar space, facing east, drawing a sarvatobhadra mandala at equinox time; ritual implements arranged symmetrically; Śakti’s presence implied as radiant energy above the diagram.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, flat vibrant colors, thick outlines; east-facing sādhaka in white dhoti, lamp flames, conch and bell; sarvatobhadra mandala on floor with red-yellow pigments; subtle Śakti aura above; equinox sun at horizon; sacred geometry emphasized.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting with gold leaf highlights; central sarvatobhadra mandala rendered as jeweled geometry; Śakti as a luminous presence with gold halo; ritual vessels and lamps with ornate detailing; warm auspicious palette.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, delicate linework; instructional composition showing east direction marker, equinox sun symbol, and labeled mandala; calm sādhaka posture; clean geometric clarity.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, fine architectural interior of a pavilion; practitioner seated facing east; assistants holding pigments and cords; precise mandala on floor; marginal notes-like borders; dawn/equinox sky through an arch."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional-devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ity āgneye → iti āgneye; nāmāṣṭādaśādhika- → nāma + aṣṭādaśādhika-; 'dhyāyaḥ → adhyāyaḥ; bhadrakānyaṣṭa- → bhadrakāni + aṣṭa-; śaktimāsādhayet → śaktim + āsādhayet; prācīmiṣṭāyāṃ → prācīm + iṣṭāyām; athonaviṃśaty- → atha + ūnaviṃśaty-.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 319 (Vāgīśvarī-pūjā); Agni Purana 320 (Maṇḍala-vidhi, sarvatobhadra series)
FAQs
It introduces Maṇḍala-vidhi: eight Sarvatobhadra mandalas and the practical rule that Śakti-sādhana is to be performed facing east, with attention to auspicious timing such as the equinox (viṣuva).
It shows the text shifting from a deity-worship chapter (Vāgīśvarī-pūjā) into technical ritual science—mandala diagrams, orientation, and calendrical timing—illustrating how the Agni Purana compiles liturgy, tantra, and applied ritual procedure in one continuum.
By prescribing correct direction (east) and auspicious time (equinox) for Śakti-sādhana, it emphasizes ritual precision as a means to secure siddhi (successful attainment) and spiritual auspiciousness (bhadra) through properly aligned worship.