Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 11
Chapter 24 — कुण्डनिर्माणादिविधिः
Procedure for Constructing the Fire-pit and Related Rites
सप्तपञ्चाङ्गुलं वापि चतुरस्रन्तु कारयेत् त्रिभागेन भवेद्गर्तं मध्ये वृत्तं सुशोभनम्
saptapañcāṅgulaṃ vāpi caturasrantu kārayet tribhāgena bhavedgartaṃ madhye vṛttaṃ suśobhanam
Man soll es als Quadrat anlegen, mit einer Seitenlänge von sieben oder fünf aṅgulas. Die Grube (garta) ist in drei Abschnitte zu gliedern, mit einem wohlgeformten runden Bereich in der Mitte, anmutig anzusehen.
Lord Agni (in instruction to Sage Vasiṣṭha, Agni Purāṇa’s primary dialogic frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Setting standard small square kuṇḍa dimensions (5 or 7 aṅgulas), dividing the pit into three parts, and forming a central circular zone for stability and aesthetic/ritual correctness.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Square Kuṇḍa (5/7 Aṅgula) with Threefold Pit and Central Circle","lookup_keywords":["caturasra kuṇḍa","pañca-aṅgula","sapta-aṅgula","tribhāga garta","madhya-vṛtta"],"quick_summary":"Construct a square kuṇḍa of 5 or 7 aṅgulas; shape the excavation in three divisions and ensure a neat circular center for a well-finished ritual pit."}
Concept: Beauty (śobhana) and correctness arise from proportioned measure and orderly subdivision.
Application: Adopt fixed small-module measures (5/7 aṅgula) and structured excavation to produce repeatable, fault-minimized kuṇḍa builds.
Khanda Section: Vāstu-śāstra (Ritual Architecture & Yantra/Kuṇḍa Construction)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A square fire-pit plan is drawn with side marked 5/7 aṅgulas; the excavation is shown in three stepped divisions with a circular central depression/zone, neatly finished.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, top-down view of a square kuṇḍa with stepped threefold pit and central circle, priest pointing to measurements, subdued palette, sacred geometry prominent","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, gold outlining the square rim and central circle, measurement marks along edges, decorative auspicious motifs around the kuṇḍa, crisp symmetry","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, technical clarity: square plan with aṅgula ticks, cross-section showing tribhāga excavation, central circular area shaded, tools and scale shown","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, artisans excavating a small square pit, overseer with measuring strip, central circular zone indicated, fine architectural detailing and patterned ground"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shuddha Saveri","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सप्तपञ्चाङ्गुलम् = सप्त + पञ्च + अङ्गुलम् (द्विगु); वापि = वा + अपि; चतुरस्रन्तु = चतुरस्रम् + तु; भवेद्गर्तम् = भवेत् + गर्तम्; सुशोभनम् = सु + शोभनम्।
Related Themes: Agni Purana 24 (kuṇḍa shapes and measures; excavation norms)
FAQs
It teaches precise vāstu-style specifications for constructing a homa-kuṇḍa: the square plan with standardized aṅgula-based dimensions and a three-part pit layout featuring a circular center.
Beyond mythology, the Agni Purāṇa preserves practical technical instructions—here, architectural/ritual engineering details (measurements, geometry, layout) used in Vedic-Puranic fire rites.
Correctly proportioned and well-formed kuṇḍa construction is treated as essential for ritual efficacy—supporting purity, orderly worship, and the intended merit (puṇya) of homa offerings.