Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 48
Explanation of the Vāsudeva and Related Mantras (वासुदेवादिमन्त्रनिरूपणम्)
पूर्वादिदिग्बलावसोराज्यादिभिरलङ्कृतः कर्णिकायां नाभसश् च मानसः कर्णिकास्थितः
pūrvādidigbalāvasorājyādibhiralaṅkṛtaḥ karṇikāyāṃ nābhasaś ca mānasaḥ karṇikāsthitaḥ
于莲华曼荼罗之中央花房（karṇikā）中，彼以自东方起诸方之力用而庄严，又具强力、财富、主权等诸德；并于此花房之内，安住“那婆娑”(Nābhasa)与“摩那娑”(Mānasā)二尊。
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purana narration frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Cosmology","practical_application":"Mandala-vinyāsa for sacred diagrams: define the central karṇikā (pericarp) as the locus adorned by directional powers (bala, vasu/wealth, rājya/sovereignty etc.), with Nābhasa and Mānasā installed within.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Karṇikā (central pericarp) adornment with directional powers; Nābhasa and Mānasā placement","lookup_keywords":["karṇikā","mandala-vinyasa","dikbala","vasu","Nābhasa Mānasā"],"quick_summary":"The mandala’s central pericarp is empowered by the strengths of the directions—strength, wealth, sovereignty and related śaktis. Within that center, install/visualize the deities Nābhasa and Mānasā as resident principles."}
Concept: The center (karṇikā/bindu) as the sovereign locus where directional energies converge; deities embodying sky/space (Nābhasa) and mind/intent (Mānasā) stabilize the mandala’s efficacy.
Application: When drawing/installing a lotus-mandala, treat the center as the primary seat; empower it with directional śaktis before placing the central deities/principles.
Khanda Section: Vastu & Mandala-Vinyasa (Cosmographic layout / directional deities in sacred diagrams)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A lotus mandala with a prominent central pericarp; around it, directional powers are shown as radiating emblems of strength, wealth, and sovereignty. Inside the center sit Nābhasa (sky-like) and Mānasā (mind/serpent-goddess-like) as subtle deities.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, large lotus with emphasized karṇikā, surrounding directional śaktis as colored rays and small guardian motifs, central paired deities: Nābhasa as blue sky-personification, Mānasā as serene goddess with subtle serpent symbolism, temple mural palette.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, gold-leaf outlining the lotus and karṇikā, central deities richly ornamented, directional emblems (bala, vasu, rājya) in medallions around, heavy decorative border.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore, precise geometric lotus plan with labeled directional powers, central karṇikā containing two small deity figures, soft colors and clear instructional layout.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, top-down lotus diagram on paper held by an architect-priest, central pericarp painted with two symbolic figures, surrounding cartouches naming powers of directions, fine calligraphic detailing."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Hamsadhwani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: pūrvādidigbalāvasorājyādibhiḥ parsed as a multi-member compound; alaṅkṛtaḥ agrees with an implied subject. karṇikāsthitaḥ = karṇikā + sthitaḥ.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 25 (mandala/yantra vinyāsa); Agni Purana (Vāstu/mandala-related passages elsewhere: center-and-directions logic)
FAQs
It specifies maṇḍala-vinyāsa: the central karṇikā (pericarp) is to be conceived/installed as endowed with dik-bala (directional powers) and royal-prosperity attributes, with Nābhasa and Mānasā placed in that central hub.
Beyond mythic narration, it preserves applied ritual-technical knowledge—sacred diagram geometry, directional theology, and deity-placement rules used in temple/yantra/mandala practice—showing the Agni Purana as a manual of practical religious sciences.
Correctly centering the mandala with directional power and the sky/mind deities symbolizes harmonizing outer space (nābhas) and inner mind (mānasa), aiming at ritual completeness, protection, and auspicious sovereignty/prosperity for the worshipper.