Agni Purana — Ayurveda, Shloka 35
अश्ववाहनसारः
Aśvavāhana-sāra) — Essentials of Horses as Mounts (and Horse-Treatment
यः कुर्यात्पश्चिमं पादं गृहीतस्तेन दक्षिणः क्रमेणानेन यो सेवां कुरुते वामवल्गया
yaḥ kuryātpaścimaṃ pādaṃ gṛhītastena dakṣiṇaḥ krameṇānena yo sevāṃ kurute vāmavalgayā
若有人安置（或回撤）西方之足——因其被执持而受制——则依此次第转向右侧；凡依此顺序行侍奉者，乃作左旋之行，即违于吉祥之右旋正道。
Lord Agni (in discourse to Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purāṇa narration frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Puja-vidhi","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Temple/household service etiquette: correct directionality and step-sequence while approaching, serving, or circumambulating to avoid inauspicious ‘leftward’ movement.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Sevā-krama: Rightward vs leftward course in ritual service","lookup_keywords":["sevā-krama","pradakṣiṇa","vāmāvarta","pāda-graha","pūjā-vidhi"],"quick_summary":"The verse encodes a directional rule for service-movement: a specific foot-action can force a rightward shift, while service done in a left-turning sequence is treated as contrary to the auspicious course."}
Concept: Śubha-ācāra through correct orientation and sequence in sacred service.
Application: Train attendants/priests to maintain rightward auspicious circulation and avoid vāmāvarta except where explicitly prescribed.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Ritual procedure and service etiquette)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A temple attendant performing service around a deity/altar, with emphasis on foot placement and the correct rightward circumambulation path versus an inauspicious leftward turn.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, temple interior with lamp-lit sanctum, attendant in traditional dress stepping carefully on pradakṣiṇā path, arrows/markers subtly indicating dakṣiṇāvarta vs vāmāvarta, rich reds and ochres, flat iconic composition.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, deity in central shrine with gold-leaf arch, attendant offering upacāra while moving rightward, decorative floor patterns showing circumambulatory direction, heavy ornamentation and gilded highlights.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional diagram-like scene: attendant’s feet and path shown clearly, soft colors, fine linework, minimal background, labels implied for right/left course.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly temple pavilion, attendant circling the shrine, precise footwork depicted, delicate architectural details and patterned flooring indicating direction."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: कुर्यात्पश्चिमम् = कुर्यात् + पश्चिमम्; क्रमेणानेन = क्रमेण + अनेन; वामवल्गया = वाम + वल्गया (तत्पुरुष).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 287 (Pūjā-vidhi / sevā-krama context)
FAQs
It teaches the correct (and incorrect) directional sequence of steps and turning while performing ritual service—highlighting that leftward turning (vāma-valgā) is a contrary, generally inauspicious service-movement compared to rightward conduct.
Beyond theology, it preserves fine-grained procedural etiquette—how one should physically move while serving—showing the Agni Purana’s coverage of practical ritual mechanics alongside broader dharma and worship systems.
Direction and sequence in worship are treated as spiritually consequential: rightward order aligns with auspicious practice, while leftward turning indicates a reversed/contrary mode that can affect the merit and propriety of the act.