Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 21
Chapter 106 — नगरादिवास्तुः
Vāstu Concerning Towns and Related Settlements
इ इति ग पूर्वत इति ख दक्षिणे चोत्तरेण चेति ख , ग , घ च नगरस्य हीति ख , छ च रोगाद्यैर् अभिभूयते इति ज दक्षिणायां त्विति ग , घ , झ च देवतालयमिति झ शालालिन्दप्रभेदत इति क शतद्वयन्तु जायन्ते पञ्चाशत् पञ्च तेष्वपि त्रिशालानि तु चत्वारि द्विशालानि तु पञ्चधा
i iti ga pūrvata iti kha dakṣiṇe cottareṇa ceti kha , ga , gha ca nagarasya hīti kha , cha ca rogādyair abhibhūyate iti ja dakṣiṇāyāṃ tviti ga , gha , jha ca devatālayamiti jha śālālindaprabhedata iti ka śatadvayantu jāyante pañcāśat pañca teṣvapi triśālāni tu catvāri dviśālāni tu pañcadhā
Des variations de la śālā (salle ou pavillon) et de son alinda/alindaka (galerie, portique) naissent deux cents types, et encore cinquante-cinq de plus. Parmi eux, la triśālā (à trois salles) est de quatre sortes, et la dviśālā (à deux salles) est de cinq sortes.
Lord Agni (instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Enumerative typology for house-plan variants derived from permutations of halls (śālā) and verandah (alinda), aiding architects in selecting standardized layouts; specifies subtype counts for triśālā and dviśālā.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Śālā–Alinda permutations: 200 + 55 types; Triśālā (4) and Dviśālā (5) subtypes","lookup_keywords":["shala-bheda","alinda","trishala","dvishala","vastu-types"],"quick_summary":"From combinations of halls and verandah arise 200 types, plus 55 more; within these, three-hall houses have four subtypes and two-hall houses have five subtypes—indicating a large, systematic design space."}
Concept: Śāstric knowledge often proceeds by saṅkhyā (enumeration): cataloging permutations to ensure completeness and correct choice in practice.
Application: Use typological catalogs to match site constraints, patron needs, and functional zoning; treat alinda placement as a key variable for access, shade, and circulation.
Khanda Section: Vāstu-śāstra / Nagarādi-nirmāṇa (Town-planning and building typology)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A compendium-like tableau: many small plan-diagrams arranged in grids, showing permutations of śālā and alinda; highlighted panels for the four triśālā and five dviśālā variants; an architect’s measuring tools nearby.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: grid of stylized house-plan icons with thick outlines; alinda shown as projecting bands; a central medallion naming counts (200, 55, 4, 5) in Sanskrit calligraphy; earthy reds and yellows.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: ornate catalog panel with gold borders; selected plan-types embossed; numerals rendered as decorative Sanskrit/Devanagari; rich jewel tones and gold-leaf emphasis on key variants.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: instructional manuscript page aesthetic—clean grids of plans, labeled triśālā (4) and dviśālā (5); precise geometry, muted palette, scholarly feel.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: atelier scene with draftsmen drawing numerous floor plans on paper; patron reviewing; plans arranged in stacks; fine detailing of instruments and architectural motifs."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Charukesi","pace":"fast","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: cottareṇa → ca + uttareṇa; hīti → hi + iti; rogādyair → roga-ādyaiḥ; tviti → tu + iti; devatālayamiti → devatā-ālayam + iti; śatadvayantu → śata-dvayam + tu.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 106.20 (śālā typology introduction); Agni Purana 106 (nagarādi-nirmāṇa/vāstu continuation)
FAQs
It gives a Vāstu-śāstra enumeration method: how many architectural types are produced by combining/subdividing śālā (hall/house forms) and alinda (verandah/portico), and the standard subtypes of triśālā and dviśālā.
Instead of only theology, it preserves a technical cataloging scheme used in classical Indian architecture—counting and organizing building-plans (including temple-related structures) as part of a broader compendium of applied sciences.
By prescribing standardized, auspicious building-types (including devatālaya planning), it supports dharmic settlement and proper sacred construction, which is traditionally held to promote prosperity, health, and ritual purity for the community.