Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 2
वागीश्वरीपूजा
The Worship of Vāgīśvarī
चित्रास्वात्यन्तरेणाथ दृष्टसूत्रेण वा पुनः पूर्वापरायतं सूत्रमास्फाल्य मध्यतो ऽङ्कयेत्
citrāsvātyantareṇātha dṛṣṭasūtreṇa vā punaḥ pūrvāparāyataṃ sūtramāsphālya madhyato 'ṅkayet
Kế đó, dùng khoảng cách thích hợp cho việc vẽ—hoặc lại dùng dây ngắm—hãy căng một sợi dây theo trục đông–tây; rồi búng dây để in dấu, và đánh dấu điểm ở chính giữa.
Lord Agni (instructing Vashistha, Agni Purana’s standard dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Establishing a baseline axis and midpoint for accurate plan-drawing/mandala/ground-layout using a cord (sūtra) and snapping method.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Sūtra-sphālana: East–West Baseline and Midpoint Marking","lookup_keywords":["dṛṣṭa-sūtra","sūtra-sphālana","pūrvāpara","madhya-aṅkana","layout"],"quick_summary":"Stretch a cord along the east–west line and snap it to imprint a straight guideline; then mark the midpoint as the reference for further construction."}
Concept: Right knowledge begins with right measure: establishing axis and midpoint is the seed of correct form (rūpa) and function (prayojana).
Application: Use a chalked cord or pigment-coated string; align to cardinal directions; snap to create straight lines; always fix the midpoint before diagonals/grids.
Khanda Section: Vastu-shastra / Chitra (Drawing & Measurement Techniques)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: śānta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Artisans on a leveled ground stretch a cord east–west, then snap it to leave a straight mark; a central midpoint is measured and indicated with a peg or dot.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural look; two sthapatis holding a pigment-coated cord; ground shown as ochre plane; cardinal directions indicated with stylized symbols; midpoint peg highlighted; minimal shading, bold contours.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style; craftsmen with ornate borders; gold accents on tools (measuring rod, pegs); the snapped cord line gleams; auspicious motifs (lotus, kalasha) framing the technical act.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting; diagrammatic clarity—east-west arrow, cord, snap motion; neat labels; soft colors; emphasis on measurement tools and the midpoint mark.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature; courtyard scene with surveyors; fine detail of cord, pegs, and chalk line; perspective showing the long baseline; attendants recording measures on a tablet."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":null,"pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: citrāsvātyantareṇa → citrā + svāti-antareṇa; dṛṣṭasūtreṇa → dṛṣṭa-sūtreṇa; sūtramāsphālya → sūtram + āsphālya; madhyato 'ṅkayet → madhyataḥ + aṅkayet.
Related Themes: Agni Purana vāstu/śilpa sections on sūtra, rekha, and kṣetra-vinyāsa (adjacent verses in this sequence)
FAQs
It teaches a practical Vastu/Chitra technique: align an east–west measuring cord (or sighting line) and snap it to imprint a center-mark for accurate layout and proportioning.
Beyond theology, it preserves applied technical knowledge—architectural/drafting procedures (cord alignment, midpoint marking)—showing the Agni Purana’s coverage of design sciences alongside ritual and doctrine.
Accurate orientation and centered marking support correct sacred geometry in construction; in Vastu-informed practice, such precision is linked with auspiciousness and the proper establishment of a consecrated space.