Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 22
The Description of the Sarvatobhadra Maṇḍala (सर्वतोभद्रमण्डलकथनम्)
पद्मार्धं नवभिः प्रोक्तं नाभिस्तु तिसृभिः स्मृता अष्टाभिर्द्वारकान् कुर्यान्नेमिन्तु चतुरङ्गुलैः तथापरेण लक्षेण मन्त्रः क्षेत्रीकृतो भवेत् पूर्वमेवासमो होमो वीजानां सम्प्रकीर्तितः
padmārdhaṃ navabhiḥ proktaṃ nābhistu tisṛbhiḥ smṛtā aṣṭābhirdvārakān kuryānnemintu caturaṅgulaiḥ tathāpareṇa lakṣeṇa mantraḥ kṣetrīkṛto bhavet pūrvamevāsamo homo vījānāṃ samprakīrtitaḥ
莲华图之半部规定为九指（aṅgula）之量；其脐（中心枢）记为三指。以八（量）作诸“门”（dvāra），其缘轮（nemi）为四指。继而依另一“相”（lakṣaṇa，规定之标志/准则），真言成为“kṣetrī-kṛta”，即被建立为已加持的仪式圣域。此前，关于种子音节（bīja）的不等火供（asama-homa）已先行宣说。
Lord Agni (teaching the ritual procedure to Sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s instructional dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Vastu","practical_application":"Specify lotus-yantra geometry (aṅgula measures for padma, nābhi, dvāra, nemi) and the criterion by which a mantra is established as a consecrated kṣetra; connect to bīja-homa procedure.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Padma-yantra aṅgula-pramāṇa and mantra-kṣetrīkaraṇa","lookup_keywords":["padma-yantra pramāṇa","nābhi 3 aṅgula","dvāra 8","nemi 4 aṅgula","mantra kṣetrī-kṛta"],"quick_summary":"Construct the lotus diagram with fixed aṅgula measures (half-lotus 9, hub 3, doorways 8, rim 4); by the stated lakṣaṇa the mantra becomes kṣetrī-kṛta (field-consecrated), supported by prior bīja-homa teaching."}
Concept: Mantra efficacy is tied to kṣetra (ritual field) correctness; pramāṇa and lakṣaṇa transform space into a consecrated locus.
Application: When preparing a mantra-sādhana space, treat geometry as part of the mantra-body: correct measures + prior bīja-homa stabilize the kṣetra.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Yantra-Mantra-Kṣetra (Ritual geometry and mantra-consecration procedures)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A lotus-yantra under construction with aṅgula markings: half-lotus length, central hub, eight doorways, and a rim; a small homa-kunda nearby indicating bīja-homa as prior consecration.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, clean geometric lotus diagram with visible aṅgula ticks, eight dvāras emphasized, a small homa fire with offerings, priestly figure holding measuring cord, traditional lamp-lit ambience.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, ornate lotus-yantra with gold-highlighted rim (nemi) and hub (nābhi), eight openings marked, homa fire rendered with gold accents, rich jewel tones and temple setting.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore instructional painting: diagrammatic lotus with labeled measures (9/3/8/4 aṅgula), side panel showing bīja-homa sequence, fine lines and muted palette for clarity.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: artisans and a ritualist measuring a lotus diagram with a small ruler, annotations on a manuscript page, homa brazier with subtle smoke, intricate border patterns."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: padmārdhaṃ→padma-ardham; nābhistu→nābhiḥ tu; aṣṭābhirdvārakān→aṣṭābhiḥ dvārakān; kur yānnemintu→kuryāt nemim tu; tathāpareṇa→tathā apareṇa; pūrvamevāsamo→pūrvam eva asamaḥ; vījānāṃ samprakīrtitaḥ unchanged.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 29.21 (pīṭha and cakra-padma basics); Agni Purana 29.23–29.24 (further field division and drawing variants)
FAQs
It gives precise aṅgula-based measurements for constructing a lotus (padma) ritual diagram—central hub (nābhi), openings/doors (dvāra), and rim (nemi)—and states that, by prescribed criteria, the mantra is ‘kṣetrī-kṛta’ (made effective within a ritually delimited field), linking the diagram to bīja-mantra homa practice.
Beyond mythology, it preserves applied ritual technology: sacred geometry (maṇḍala/yantra layout), standardized measurement systems (aṅgula), and operational mantra-consecration (kṣetrīkaraṇa) connected to homa—showing the text’s coverage of practical liturgical science alongside doctrine.
Correctly measured and consecrated ritual space is treated as essential for mantra efficacy; performing bīja-homa within a properly established kṣetra is understood to purify, stabilize the rite, and ensure the intended siddhi/merit arises without ritual defect.