Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 14
Liṅga-māna-ādi-kathana
Measurements and Related Particulars of the Liṅga
षोडशांशे च वेदांशे युगं लुप्त्वोर्ध्वदेशतः द्वात्रिंशत्षोडशांशांश् च कोणयोस्तु विलोपयेत्
ṣoḍaśāṃśe ca vedāṃśe yugaṃ luptvordhvadeśataḥ dvātriṃśatṣoḍaśāṃśāṃś ca koṇayostu vilopayet
Dans la division en seize parts, et aussi en quatre parts, on doit retrancher la paire de portions depuis la région supérieure ; et, aux angles, on éliminera pareillement les portions mesurées en trente-deuxièmes et en seizièmes.
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Jyotisha","practical_application":"Constructing a yantra/maṇḍala or architectural diagram by fractional division (16, 4, 32, 16 parts) and prescribed eliminations to shape the final layout.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Ṣoḍaśāṃśa-vedāṃśa vibhāga: ūrdhva-deśa/koṇa-vilopa-niyama","lookup_keywords":["ṣoḍaśāṃśa","vedāṃśa (caturbhāga)","koṇa vilopa","maṇḍala nirmāṇa","yantra rekha"],"quick_summary":"Divide the field into standard fractions (sixteen and four), remove specified upper portions, and trim corner portions by thirty-second and sixteenth measures to obtain the canonical geometry."}
Concept: Ritual efficacy and spatial auspiciousness depend on correct maṇḍala geometry and proportionate subtraction (vilopa).
Application: When drafting plans, apply fractional grids and mandated cut-offs to avoid inauspicious distortions and to standardize layouts.
Khanda Section: Jyotiṣa & Vāstu-śāstra (Geometrical canons for yantra/maṇḍala construction)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A square maṇḍala is drawn on the ground, divided into 16 and 4 parts; the upper segment is removed, and corners are trimmed by 1/32 and 1/16 measures, with a teacher pointing to the cut lines.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, ritual ground-diagram with bold red/ochre lines, 16-part grid, corner cut-outs, guru instructing disciple, temple courtyard ambiance, stylized geometry","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, yantra/maṇḍala on a pedestal-like panel with gold foil accents on grid intersections, corner trims highlighted, ornate frame, priest-architect holding stylus","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clean instructional diagram: square subdivided into 16, annotations for 1/32 and 1/16 corner removals, soft colors, manuscript-like clarity","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, architect’s folio with geometric plan, fine ruler and compass, corner truncations delicately painted, courtly workshop setting"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: लुप्त्वोर्ध्वदेशतः→लुप्त्वा+ऊर्ध्वदेशतः; द्वात्रिंशत्षोडशांशांश्→द्वात्रिंशत्+षोडशांशान्; कोणयोस्तु→कोणयोः+तु.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 54 (yantra/maṇḍala and liṅga-related canons); Agni Purana vāstu-maṇḍala and rekha-vidhi passages (nearby)
FAQs
It gives a precise geometric rule for constructing a yantra/maṇḍala: in specified fractional divisions (1/16, 1/4, 1/32), certain segments must be omitted from the upper portion and from the corners to obtain the correct canonical layout.
Beyond theology, the Agni Purāṇa preserves applied technical knowledge—here, measurement-based sacred geometry used in ritual diagrams and Vāstu planning—showing the text’s coverage of practical sciences alongside religious instruction.
Correct proportional construction of ritual diagrams is traditionally held to ensure the rite’s efficacy and purity; following exact measures is treated as dhārmic precision that supports auspicious outcomes and avoids defects (doṣa) in worship.