Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 3
Chapter 24 — कुण्डनिर्माणादिविधिः
Procedure for Constructing the Fire-pit and Related Rites
सत्त्वादिसञ्ज्ञा पूर्वाशा द्वादशाङ्गुलमुच्छ्रिता अष्टाङ्गुला द्व्यङुलाथ चतुरङ्गुलविस्तृता
sattvādisañjñā pūrvāśā dvādaśāṅgulamucchritā aṣṭāṅgulā dvyaṅulātha caturaṅgulavistṛtā
الخطّ الشرقي (الأمامي)، المسمّى بالاسم الذي يبدأ بـ«سَتْفَا»، يُرفع إلى ارتفاع اثني عشر أنغولا؛ ثم ثمانية أنغولا، ثم اثنان أنغولا، ويُقرَّر أيضًا عرضٌ قدره أربعة أنغولا.
Lord Agni
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Shilpa","secondary_vidya":"Vastu","practical_application":"Setting proportional measurements (aṅgula-based) for a specific eastern/front guideline in iconographic drafting, ensuring standardized elevation and breadth in pratima-lakṣaṇa layouts.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Pūrvāśā (Eastern) Sattvādi-rekhā: aṅgula-ucchraya & vistāra","lookup_keywords":["pūrvāśā","sattvādi-saṃjñā","aṅgula-māna","rekhā","pratimā-lakṣaṇa"],"quick_summary":"Defines a stepwise aṅgula scheme for raising the eastern/front guideline and prescribing successive breadths, used to keep iconographic plans consistent across images and pedestals."}
Concept: Māna (measure) as dhāraṇa of form—orderly proportion as a vehicle for auspiciousness and correctness in sacred making.
Application: Use fixed aṅgula canons to avoid arbitrary proportions when drawing/marking the front/eastern guideline in image-making.
Khanda Section: Vastu / Pratima-lakshana (Iconography and measurements)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A sthapati marks an iconographic plan on a flat surface, drawing the eastern/front guideline labeled ‘Sattvādi’ and annotating heights and breadths in aṅgulas (12, 8, 2; breadth 4).","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style: a sthapati with palm-leaf manuscript and measuring rod, drawing a geometric icon-plan with the eastern line highlighted; earthy reds/ochres, bold outlines, minimal perspective, sacred workshop ambience.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting: artisan-sage presenting a measured iconographic diagram on a wooden board, gold-leaf accents on the measuring rod and border, rich maroons and greens, inscriptions of aṅgula numbers.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting: clean instructional composition showing the plan grid, the ‘pūrvāśā’ arrow, and annotated aṅgula measures; delicate lines, soft shading, scholarly calm.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: atelier scene with architect and assistants, fine calligraphy labels for ‘Sattvādi’ and aṅgula measures, detailed tools (string, ruler), architectural drafting on paper with precise borders."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सत्त्वादिसञ्ज्ञा = सत्त्वादि + सञ्ज्ञा; द्वादशाङ्गुलमुच्छ्रिता = द्वादशाङ्गुलम् + उच्छ्रिता; द्व्यङुलाथ = द्व्यङ्गुला + अथ (पाठे ‘द्व्यङुला’ इति, अपेक्षितं ‘द्व्यङ्गुला’).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 24 (Pratimā-lakṣaṇa/Vāstu-māna sequence)
FAQs
It teaches iconographic/architectural measurement (aṅgula-pramāṇa): specifying the prescribed heights and breadth for the east-facing (front) component/line identified by a technical name beginning with “sattva.”
By codifying precise proportional rules used in temple-building and image-making (Vāstu and Pratimā-lakṣaṇa), it shows the Agni Purana functioning as a practical manual alongside its theological material.
Correct proportions in sacred construction and icon-making are traditionally held to ensure ritual efficacy and auspiciousness, supporting purity of worship and the intended spiritual benefit of consecration.