Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 5
Chapter 42 — प्रासादलक्षणकथनं
Prāsāda-lakṣaṇa-kathana: Characteristics of the Temple/Prāsāda
शिखरेण समं कार्यमग्रे जगति विस्तरं द्विगुणेनापि कर्तव्यं यथाशोभानुरूपतः
śikhareṇa samaṃ kāryamagre jagati vistaraṃ dviguṇenāpi kartavyaṃ yathāśobhānurūpataḥ
অগ্র জগতি-র প্রস্থ শিখরের মাপের সমান করতে হবে; অথবা শোভা ও অনুপাত অনুযায়ী তা দ্বিগুণও করা যেতে পারে।
Lord Agni (in instruction to the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Determining the proportional width of the jagatī (front platform) relative to the śikhara for aesthetic harmony and functional approach space.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Jagatī-vistāra proportional to Śikhara (equal or double)","lookup_keywords":["jagatī","śikhara","vistāra","dviguṇa","proportion beauty"],"quick_summary":"Set the front platform width equal to the śikhara’s measure, or expand it up to twice that, choosing the option that best fits the intended visual proportion and approach space."}
Temple Type: Nagara
Concept: Śobhā (aesthetic rightness) as a criterion alongside fixed proportion.
Application: Choose equal vs. double platform width based on site constraints, procession needs, and desired visual emphasis of the superstructure.
Khanda Section: Vastu-shastra (Temple Architecture and Measurements)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A temple elevation sketch showing śikhara above and a broad jagatī in front, with two alternative widths marked: equal to śikhara and double, with a sthapati indicating the more beautiful option.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, stylized nagara temple with prominent śikhara, broad jagatī platform in front, two measured options shown as decorative bands, sthapati gesturing to proportional harmony","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, richly ornamented temple façade, gold highlighting the jagatī edges and śikhara contours, inset showing equal vs double width, devotional architectural grandeur","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, didactic architectural plate: temple elevation with measurement annotations, two jagatī widths, neat borders and soft colors","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, architect presenting two proportional designs to a patron, detailed temple rendering with precise platform widths, refined courtly setting"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: कार्यमग्रे = कार्यम् + अग्रे; द्विगुणेनापि = द्विगुणेन + अपि; यथाशोभानुरूपतः = यथा + शोभा + अनुरूपतः
Related Themes: Agni Purana 42 (jagatī, śikhara, prāsāda māna rules)
FAQs
It gives a Vāstu-śāstra proportional rule: the front jagatī (plinth/platform breadth) should match the śikhara’s measure, or may be doubled, to maintain harmonious temple design.
By prescribing precise architectural proportions (jagatī–śikhara sizing), it shows the Agni Purana functioning as a practical manual that includes applied sciences like Vāstu alongside theology and ritual.
In Purāṇic temple-building thought, correct proportion and beauty are part of dharmic construction; a well-proportioned shrine supports proper worship and is treated as meritorious (puṇya) due to its suitability for divine residence and ritual use.