Agni Purana — Bhuvanakosha & Tirtha-mahatmya, Shloka 6
Chapter 108 — भुवनकोषः
Bhuvana-kośa: The Structure of the Worlds
लक्षप्रमाणौ द्वौ मध्ये दशहीनास् तथापरे सहस्रद्वितयोछ्रायास्तावद्विस्तारिणश् च ते
lakṣapramāṇau dvau madhye daśahīnās tathāpare sahasradvitayochrāyāstāvadvistāriṇaś ca te
Au milieu se trouvent deux (structures) de mesure lakṣa ; les autres, de même, sont diminuées de dix (degrés/unités). Leur hauteur est de deux mille, et leur largeur est d’une étendue égale.
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha, as typical for Agni Purana’s instructional chapters)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Guidance for proportional planning of prāsāda/structures: graded measures, matching height and breadth for specified units.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Prāsāda measures: lakṣa-pramāṇa, graded reduction, equal height-breadth","lookup_keywords":["prasada-lakshana","laksha-pramana","uchraya","vistara","dasha-hina"],"quick_summary":"Specifies a measurement scheme: two central structures of lakṣa-measure, others reduced by ten grades/units; height is two thousand and breadth matches it."}
Concept: Sacred building is governed by proportion, hierarchy, and measurable symmetry.
Application: Apply graded sizing and equal height-breadth rules when drafting temple/structure plans within a prescribed module system.
Khanda Section: Vastu-shastra / Prasada-Lakshana (Temple architecture and measurements)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"An architectural layout showing two central large structures and surrounding smaller ones, each reduced by a fixed grade; a side elevation indicates equal height and breadth (2000 units).","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural depiction of a temple complex as sacred geometry: central twin prāsādas larger, surrounding shrines smaller in graded steps, bold flat colors, ornamental borders, minimal perspective.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting of a stylized temple complex with gold-leaf emphasis on the two central prāsādas; surrounding shrines in decreasing scale; inscriptions of measures on decorative panels.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore instructional plate: plan and elevation with measurement lines, two central lakṣa-pramāṇa structures, others dasha-hīna gradation, clear annotations, refined linework.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature architectural study: courtyard with two dominant towers, smaller pavilions stepping down, precise geometry, fine shading, calligraphic measurement notes."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Hamsadhwani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: tathā+apare → tathāpare; sahasra-dvitaya+ucchrāyāḥ → sahasradvitayochrāyāḥ; tāvat+vistāriṇaḥ → tāvadvistāriṇaḥ.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Prāsāda-lakṣaṇa / Vāstu sections (nearby in ch.108 as given)
FAQs
It gives a Vāstu-śāstra sizing rule: specific classes of structures are defined by fixed proportional dimensions—height stated as two thousand and width set equal to the height, with related variants reduced by ten units/grades.
It shows the Agni Purana functioning as a technical manual, preserving quantified architectural standards (pramāṇa) alongside religious material—typical of its wide coverage of arts, sciences, and ritual practice.
By prescribing correct sacred-architecture proportions, it supports dharmic temple construction; adherence to pramāṇa is traditionally linked to auspiciousness, stability, and merit (puṇya) for patrons and builders.