Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 36
Chapter 303: Mantras for Worship Beginning with the Five-syllable (Pañcākṣara) — पञ्चाक्षरादिपूजामन्त्राः
यस्मिन् पतन्ति पुष्पाणि तन्नामाद्यं विनिर्दिशेत् पार्श्वेयागभुवः खाते कुण्डे सन्नभिमेखले
yasmin patanti puṣpāṇi tannāmādyaṃ vinirdiśet pārśveyāgabhuvaḥ khāte kuṇḍe sannabhimekhale
花落于何处，应先指明并宣说该处之名与所在。（此事）在旁祭之地进行：于所掘火坛（kuṇḍa）处，其具中央“脐”之标记（nābhi）与周围环带界限（mekhalā）。
Lord Agni (in instruction to Sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purana dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Vastu","practical_application":"Determine the named spot/sector by observing where flowers fall; apply this to selecting/confirming the side-yaga area and properly marked kunda with central bindu (nabhi) and circular boundary (mekhala).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Flower-Fall Omen for Naming/Selecting the Yajña-Spot and Kunda Markings","lookup_keywords":["pushpa-patana","kunda","nabhi","mekhala","parshva-yaga"],"quick_summary":"The ritual spot is identified by the flower-fall indication, then the side-sacrificial area is prepared with a properly excavated fire-pit marked by a central point and surrounding circular boundary."}
Concept: Ritual efficacy depends on correct spatial designation—center (nabhi) and boundary (mekhala) establish a controlled sacred field.
Application: When preparing a homa site, formalize the center and perimeter to maintain ritual focus and procedural correctness.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Yajña-kunda and altar-ritual procedure)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ritual ground where flowers are tossed to indicate the chosen spot; beside it a freshly dug fire-pit shows a central mark and a circular boundary ring.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, priests in white dhoti, flower-fall moment frozen mid-air, kunda with clear central bindu and circular mekhala, minimal background, bold outlines.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, gilded circular mekhala around the kunda, flowers landing to indicate the spot, decorative borders, luminous sacred geometry.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, diagrammatic clarity: labeled kunda with nabhi and mekhala, priest pointing to where flowers fell, soft palette and fine linework.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtyard scene with attendants, flowers scattered marking selection, detailed earthen kunda with concentric ring, architectural backdrop."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shuddha Saveri","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तन्नामाद्यं = तत् + नाम + आद्यम् (तत्→तन् before n; नाम + आद्यम् → नामाद्यम्). सन्नभिमेखले = सत्/सन् + नाभि + मेखले (समास).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 303 (yajña-kunda, mandala, parshva-yaga procedures); Agni Purana vastu/mandala-related passages (kunda measurements and markings)
FAQs
It teaches a practical method for determining and naming the correct ritual location/altar-spot by observing where flowers fall, and it specifies the kuṇḍa as a properly marked and bounded pit (with a central point and encircling boundary).
It preserves precise, procedural ritual-technology—how to identify the yajña-site and define altar features (center and boundary)—showing the text’s coverage of applied liturgy alongside theology and other sciences.
Selecting the correctly sanctioned spot and properly defining the altar is understood to align the rite with sacred order (ṛta/dharma), supporting ritual purity and the intended merit (puṇya) of the sacrifice.