Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 31
वागीश्वरीपूजा
The Worship of Vāgīśvarī
द्विपदं कमलं वीथी पट्टिका दिक्षु पङ्कजम् चतुष्कं पृष्ठतो वीथी पदिका द्विपदान्यथा
dvipadaṃ kamalaṃ vīthī paṭṭikā dikṣu paṅkajam catuṣkaṃ pṛṣṭhato vīthī padikā dvipadānyathā
由两单位（两pada）构成的布置称为“迦摩罗”(kamala，莲华)；“毗提”(vīthī)为通道，“钵底迦”(paṭṭikā)为条带。于诸方位（dikṣu）则名“般迦阇”(paṅkaja，莲华)。又规定四单位（catuṣka）之布置；其后（pṛṣṭhataḥ）设通道（vīthī）。“波底迦”(padikā)亦为两pada之制。
Lord Agni (instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Temple/vedi plan-making: naming and placing bands, passages, and lotus-based pada-arrangements in a mandala grid for construction drawings.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Kamala–Vīthī–Paṭṭikā–Paṅkaja–Catuṣka–Padikā (pada-layout terms)","lookup_keywords":["kamala","vīthī","paṭṭikā","paṅkaja","catuṣka"],"quick_summary":"Defines standard vāstu-mandala components: a two-pada ‘kamala’ arrangement, directional ‘paṅkaja’ designation, the vīthī passage, paṭṭikā band, and a catuṣka (four-unit) arrangement with rear passage; padikā is also two-pada."}
Concept: Sacred space is made efficacious through correct proportion, naming, and directional organization of the mandala.
Application: Use standardized vāstu vocabulary to avoid errors in drafting, staking-out, and ritual consecration layouts.
Khanda Section: Vastu-shastra (Temple Architecture and Mandala/Vedi Layouts)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A temple-plan diagram showing a lotus-like grid: two-pada ‘kamala’ cells, directional lotus labels, a rear vīthī passage, and a paṭṭikā band marked as strips.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural aesthetic, flat yet ornate: sacred mandala diagram painted on a wall panel, lotus-grid with labeled vīthī and paṭṭikā bands, earthy reds and greens, fine linework, traditional borders","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style: central mandala diagram on a wooden panel, embossed gold leaf outlining lotus petals and grid bands (paṭṭikā), rich jewel tones, symmetrical vāstu-plan presentation","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting: instructional architectural folio, clean grid lines, annotated lotus-based pada layout, subtle shading, precise labels for vīthī/paṭṭikā/catuṣka","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: architect-scribe presenting a lotus-mandala plan on paper, delicate geometry, marginal notes, subdued palette with fine detailing and patterned borders"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: No major external sandhi; dvipadāni = dvi-padāni (dvigu). pṛṣṭhataḥ is tas-derivative avyaya.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Vastu/mandala-prakaraṇa sections around 319 (door, vīthī, pada-vinyāsa definitions)
FAQs
It defines Vastu-plan terminology and measurements—how two-pada and four-unit divisions are named (kamala/pankaja) and how pathways (vīthī) and strips (paṭṭikā, padikā) are positioned within a mandala-style architectural grid.
Beyond mythology, the Agni Purana preserves applied technical knowledge: here it catalogs precise architectural planning terms used for laying out sacred/ritual spaces, showing its role as a compendium of sciences like Vastu and temple design.
Correctly proportioned and named spatial divisions support ritually pure construction; aligning passages and directional layouts is understood to harmonize the structure with sacred order (dik and mandala), aiding auspiciousness and merit in temple or altar building.