Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 2
Chapter 53 — Liṅga-lakṣaṇa
Characteristics and Proportions of the Śiva-liṅga and Piṇḍikā
विष्कम्भं भूतभागैस्तु चतुरस्रन्तु कारयेत् आयामं मूर्तिभिर्भक्त्वा एकद्वित्रिक्रमान् न्यसेत्
viṣkambhaṃ bhūtabhāgaistu caturasrantu kārayet āyāmaṃ mūrtibhirbhaktvā ekadvitrikramān nyaset
Die Breite (viṣkambha) ist gemäß den Teilungen der Elemente (bhūta-bhāga) festzulegen und als Quadrat auszuführen. Sodann ist die Länge (āyāma) nach den vorgeschriebenen Modulen (mūrti) aufzuteilen, und die Maße sind in Einheiten von einem, zwei oder drei Schritten (krama) einzutragen.
Lord Agni (teaching Vāstu principles to the sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s instructional dialogue)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Laying out square plans and modular grids for maṇḍala-based construction (temple/altar/diagram), using bhūta-bhāga divisions and mūrti-modules to set breadth and length with step-units (krama).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Maṇḍala layout: viṣkambha (breadth) by bhūta-bhāga; āyāma (length) by mūrti-modules and krama","lookup_keywords":["viṣkambha","bhūta-bhāga","caturasra","āyāma","krama"],"quick_summary":"Construct a square plan by setting breadth through elemental divisions, then apportion length by the prescribed module system and place measures in one-, two-, or three-step units for practical layout."}
Concept: Cosmic order expressed as measurable square (caturasra) and modular division—ritual space as a disciplined microcosm.
Application: Use the rule to draft site plans, set out cords, and ensure proportional harmony before construction or yantra/maṇḍala drawing.
Khanda Section: Vāstu-śāstra / Maṇḍala-lakṣaṇa (Architectural planning and measurement)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: śānta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ground-plan being set with cords into a perfect square; a grid labeled by bhūta-bhāga divisions; an architect marks length modules (mūrti) and step-units (krama) along the perimeter.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, vāstu-ācārya with measuring cord and pegs, square maṇḍala on ground with elemental divisions indicated by symbolic colors, assistants placing markers, stylized temple-site setting","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, architect-priest laying a square maṇḍala with gold-highlighted grid lines, ritual vessels nearby, ornate border, emphasis on sacred geometry with rich colors","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style instructional plate: crisp square grid, annotated segments for viṣkambha and āyāma, figures of architect and assistants, minimal background, delicate gold accents","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed construction-yard scene with survey tools, pegs and cords forming a square, artisans observing, architectural backdrop, fine linework and realistic textures"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":null,"pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: caturasrantu → caturasram tu; bhūtabhāgaistu → bhūta-bhāgaiḥ tu.
Related Themes: Agni Purāṇa: vāstu/maṇḍala and prāsāda-lakṣaṇa sections (elsewhere); Agni Purāṇa ch. 53: continuing geometric/diagram rules in vv. 53.3–53.4
FAQs
It teaches Vāstu-vidyā measurement: set the plan’s breadth using bhūta-based divisions, keep the layout square, divide length by standard modules (mūrti), and mark out dimensions in 1–3 step units (krama) for ground-setting.
Beyond mythology, it preserves practical architectural procedure—grid planning, proportional modules, and on-site measurement—showing the Agni Purana’s coverage of applied sciences like Vāstu-śāstra alongside ritual and theology.
Correct Vāstu proportioning is treated as dharmic ordering of space: a properly measured, square, well-laid plan supports purity, stability, and auspiciousness for rites and habitation, reducing दोष (architectural/ritual faults).