Agni Purana — Kosha, Shloka 12
Bhūmi–Vana–Auṣadhi–Ādi Vargāḥ (भूमिवनौषध्यादिवर्गाः) — Lexical Groups on Earth, Settlements, Architecture, Forests, Materia Medica, and Fauna
आरामः स्यादुपवनं कृत्रिमं वनमेव यत् स्यादेतदेव प्रमदवनमन्तःपुरोचितं
ārāmaḥ syādupavanaṃ kṛtrimaṃ vanameva yat syādetadeva pramadavanamantaḥpurocitaṃ
Un ārāma (jardin de plaisance) est un upavana, c’est-à-dire un bosquet façonné artificiellement, planté et ordonné. Ce même bosquet est appelé pramadavana, convenant aux quartiers intérieurs du palais, les appartements des femmes.
Lord Agni (traditional Agni Purāṇa narrator) instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Arthashastra","practical_application":"Planning and naming of designed gardens (upavana/ārāma) and palace pleasure-groves (pramadavana) for royal/elite residential complexes.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Ārāma/Upavana and Pramadavana (Palace Pleasure-Grove)","lookup_keywords":["ārāma","upavana","pramadavana","antaḥpura","kṛtrima vana"],"quick_summary":"Defines an ārāma as an artificially arranged grove (upavana) and identifies such a pleasure-garden as pramadavana when intended for the inner palace quarters."}
Concept: Cultivated nature (kṛtrima-vana) as a designed extension of dwelling for well-being and royal decorum.
Application: Designate and plan gardens by function—public park vs inner-quarter pleasure-grove—to guide access, planting, and maintenance.
Khanda Section: Vāstu-śāstra / Gṛha-nirmāṇa and Upavana-vidhi (garden and pleasure-grove terminology)
Primary Rasa: shringara
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A palace interior garden: manicured grove with pathways, water channel, flowering trees, and secluded pavilions—labeled as ārāma/upavana/pramadavana near the antaḥpura.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural of an inner-palace garden with stylized trees, lotus pond, and women’s quarters in the background; rich greens and reds, rhythmic foliage patterns.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting of a pramadavana with gold-leaf on pavilion arches and jewelry; lush flowering trees, parrots, and a lotus tank; palace walls behind.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style garden-plan illustration: top-down schematic of upavana with paths, water features, groves, and a note indicating suitability for antaḥpura (pramadavana).","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature charbagh-like garden within palace walls: detailed flora, fountains, and shaded alcoves; delicate figures strolling; fine architectural rendering."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Khamaj","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: syādupavanaṃ → syāt upavanam; vanameva → vanam eva; syādetadeva → syāt etat eva; pramadavanamantaḥpurocitaṃ → pramada-vanam antaḥpura-ucitam.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 362 (vāstu terminology)
FAQs
It gives Vāstu/landscape terminology: an ārāma is defined as an upavana—an intentionally cultivated (kṛtrima) grove—and such a designed grove, when intended for palace interiors, is termed pramadavana.
Beyond theology, it preserves practical classification used in architecture and royal planning—showing the Purāṇa’s coverage of built environment, horticulture, and courtly spatial norms alongside religious subjects.
By prescribing orderly, appropriate spaces (ocita) within a residence, it supports dharmic living through harmonious domestic planning—an indirect merit associated with maintaining auspicious, well-arranged environments.