Shloka 20
Prāsāda-Lakṣaṇa: Temple Proportions, Śikhara Ratios, Liṅga–Pīṭha Measures, and Auspicious Ground-Plans
गर्भं तु द्विगुणं कुर्यान्नेम्या मानं भवेदिह / स एव भित्तेरुत्सेधो शिखरो द्विगुणो मतः
garbhaṃ tu dviguṇaṃ kuryānnemyā mānaṃ bhavediha / sa eva bhitterutsedho śikharo dviguṇo mataḥ
Aquí debe hacerse la cámara interior del santuario (garbha) con el doble de la medida del corredor de circunvalación (nemī). Esa misma medida se prescribe como altura de los muros, y la aguja (śikhara) se considera el doble.
Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Concept: Inner sanctity governs outer form: the garbha’s measure determines walls and the rising śikhara.
Vedantic Theme: Antar–bahir correspondence (inner–outer alignment); ascent from center to summit as a contemplative metaphor.
Application: Design temples with a clear proportional system: garbha dimension relative to circumambulatory passage; wall height consistent; śikhara scaled to emphasize vertical transcendence.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: garbhagṛha/prāsāda
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.47.19 (nemī and perimeter); Garuda Purana 1.47.21-23 (yoni-types and prāsāda forms)
FAQs
This verse sets proportional rules: the sanctum (garbha) should be twice the circumambulatory measure (nemī), establishing harmony and correctness in sacred construction.
It states that the wall height should match the same standard measure used above, while the śikhara (spire) should be built at twice that height, creating a clear vertical hierarchy.
When designing or renovating a shrine, use consistent proportional planning—especially for sanctum size, wall height, and spire height—to preserve traditional Vāstu-based sacred geometry.