Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 21
Chapter 53 — Liṅga-lakṣaṇa
Characteristics and Proportions of the Śiva-liṅga and Piṇḍikā
निर्गमं भागमेकं तु यावद्वै शेषपट्टिका प्रणालस्य त्रिभागेन निर्गमस्तु त्रिभागतः
nirgamaṃ bhāgamekaṃ tu yāvadvai śeṣapaṭṭikā praṇālasya tribhāgena nirgamastu tribhāgataḥ
La saillie de sortie (nirgama) doit avoir pour mesure une part, jusqu’à la portée de la bande de corniche restante (śeṣa-paṭṭikā). Pour le déversoir (praṇāla), la sortie doit être établie en le divisant en trois parts, c’est-à-dire selon la proportion d’un tiers.
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha, Agni Purana’s standard narration frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Designing and sizing temple drainage outlets (nirgama) and water-spouts (praṇāla) with correct proportional projection to protect walls and direct abhiṣeka water safely.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Proportion of outlet projection (nirgama) and water-spout (praṇāla)","lookup_keywords":["nirgama","praṇāla","drainage","tribhāga","paṭṭikā"],"quick_summary":"Specifies proportional measures for the outlet projection and the praṇāla outlet using part-measures and a one-third (tribhāga) division rule."}
Concept: Rational proportion (māna) applied to sacred utility (water management in temples).
Application: Use standardized fractional rules (one-part, one-third) to ensure consistent drainage design across shrines.
Khanda Section: Vastu-shastra (Architecture: measurements for drainage/spouts and structural members)
Primary Rasa: samanya
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A cutaway view of a shrine wall showing a praṇāla spout and its outlet projection, with craftsmen marking one-third divisions for correct projection.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, temple wall with stylized praṇāla spout pouring consecrated water, craftsmen marking tribhāga divisions on a measuring rod, warm earthy palette, sacred ambience.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, ornate shrine façade with a gold-accented praṇāla, clear depiction of outlet projection proportions, abhiṣeka water flowing, rich gold work on mouldings.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, technical illustration of praṇāla and nirgama with tribhāga markings, fine lines, labeled parts, subdued colors for clarity.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, architects and masons discussing a spout design, ruler and compass visible, detailed stonework and a small stream from the praṇāla, precise proportional layout."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":null,"pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: bhāgamekaṃ = bhāgam + ekam; yāvadvai = yāvat + vai; nirgamastu = nirgamaḥ + tu; tribhāgataḥ is tasil-avyaya built on dvigu tribhāga.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 53 (liṅga/pīṭha adjunct measurements)
FAQs
It gives Vastu-shastra proportional rules for sizing the outlet/projection (nirgama) and the water-spout/drain (praṇāla), using one-part and one-third-based measurements.
Beyond theology, the Agni Purana preserves practical architectural engineering—standardized building proportions for functional elements like drainage—showing its coverage of applied sciences alongside ritual and doctrine.
In temple and sacred-structure design, correct proportions are treated as dhārmic order (śilpa-niyama); building according to prescribed measures is traditionally held to support auspiciousness, stability, and purity of the sacred space.