Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 35
Chapter 93 — वास्तुपूजादिविधानम्
Procedure for Vāstu-worship and Related Rites
चरक्याद्या भूतपदा रज्जुवंशादि पूर्ववत् देशसंस्थापने वास्तु चतुस्त्रिंशच्छतं भवेत्
carakyādyā bhūtapadā rajjuvaṃśādi pūrvavat deśasaṃsthāpane vāstu catustriṃśacchataṃ bhavet
Bei der Anlage eines Bauplatzes (deśa-saṃsthāpana) sind, wie zuvor dargelegt, die bhūta-padas beginnend mit dem Raster namens Carakī sowie Verfahren wie Messschnur (rajju) und Bambusstab (vaṃśa) anzuwenden; so wird das Vāstu-Raster zu 3.200 Einheiten/padas.
Lord Agni (narrating Vāstu-vidyā to the sage Vasiṣṭha, as per the common Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Site-planning by establishing the vāstu grid using named bhūta-pada schemes (Carakī etc.) and measurement tools (cord and bamboo rod), yielding a 3200-pada/unit layout.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Deśa-saṃsthāpana: Carakī Bhūta-pada and 3200-unit Vāstu Grid","lookup_keywords":["deśa-saṃsthāpana","Carakī","bhūta-pada","rajju measurement","vaṃśa rod"],"quick_summary":"For laying out a building site, apply the bhūta-pada grid beginning with Carakī and use standard measuring tools like cord and bamboo rod as previously taught. The resulting vāstu measure is specified as 3200 units/padas."}
Concept: Right measure (māna) and correct grid-establishment are prerequisites for auspicious, stable construction.
Application: Use standardized tools and named grid-schemes to avoid errors in orientation and proportion, ensuring structural and ritual correctness.
Khanda Section: Vastu-shastra (Deśa-saṃsthāpana / Site-planning and Vāstu-puruṣa-maṇḍala)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Architect-priest team laying out a site: cord stretched, bamboo rods placed, a marked grid on the ground labeled with bhūta-padas like Carakī; notes indicating total padas/units.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: stylized ground grid with bold lines; craftsmen holding rajju (measuring cord) and vaṃśa (bamboo rod); palm-leaf manuscript reference; earthy palette with ritual lamps.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style with gold accents: auspicious site-laying scene, grid drawn on ground with gold-outlined squares; master-builder pointing to Carakī padā scheme; ornate borders, temple backdrop.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting: clear instructional diagram integrated into scene; cord geometry, right angles, labeled padas; gentle colors, precise linework, minimal clutter.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: surveyors in a garden-like plot measuring with cord and rods; detailed grid lines, annotations; architectural plan scrolls; fine textiles and patterned ground."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: carakyādyā → carakya-ādyāḥ; bhūtapadā → bhūta-padāḥ; catustriṃśacchataṃ → catuḥ-triṃśat-śatam (assimilation cc = t+ś).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 93 (earlier ‘pūrvavat’ measurement instructions); Agni Purana vāstu/śilpa chapters on māna, rajju, vaṃśa and maṇḍala
FAQs
It gives a Vāstu-śāstra instruction for site layout: use the previously taught measuring tools (cord and bamboo rod) and apply the named bhūta-pada grid sequence (starting with Carakī) to generate a large standardized Vāstu grid of 3200 units/padas.
It shows the Agni Purāṇa functioning as a technical manual, preserving architectural and surveying practice—named grid typologies, measurement instruments, and standardized numerical layouts—alongside its religious narratives.
Correct Vāstu measurement and grid-setting is treated as dharmic ordering of space; aligning construction with prescribed maṇḍala rules is traditionally believed to promote auspiciousness, stability, and harmony for occupants and the sacred function of the site.