Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 16
Liṅga-māna-ādi-kathana
Measurements and Related Particulars of the Liṅga
धाम्नो युगर्तुनागांशैर् द्वारं हीनादितः क्रमात् लिङ्गद्वारोच्छ्रयादर्वाग् भवेत् पादोनतः क्रमात्
dhāmno yugartunāgāṃśair dvāraṃ hīnāditaḥ kramāt liṅgadvārocchrayādarvāg bhavet pādonataḥ kramāt
La porte doit être établie en réduisant successivement la mesure à partir de la dimension du sanctuaire (dhāmna), selon les fractions prescrites dites yuga-, ṛtu- et nāga-aṃśa. En outre, la hauteur de la porte du sanctuaire du liṅga doit être abaissée graduellement, étape par étape, d’un quart (pāda) par rapport à la hauteur standard de la porte.
Lord Agni (in instruction to the sage Vasiṣṭha, as the primary narrator of the Agni Purana)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Setting doorway dimensions of a shrine by prescribed fractional reductions from the main shrine measure, and grading the liṅga-shrine doorway height stepwise by a quarter to maintain proportional hierarchy.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Mandira-dvāra-pramāṇa: yuga-ṛtu-nāga-aṃśa kramahāni; liṅga-dvāra-ucchraya pādona-krama","lookup_keywords":["dvāra pramāṇa","yuga aṃśa","ṛtu aṃśa","nāga aṃśa","pādona ucchraya"],"quick_summary":"Doorway measures are derived from the shrine’s overall dimension through ordered fractional reductions; the liṅga-shrine doorway height is then lowered in graded steps by a quarter to preserve canonical proportion."}
Concept: Sacred architecture encodes order (krama) through proportional diminution, guiding movement from outer to inner sanctity.
Application: Architects apply graded reductions so entrances align with vāstu proportion and ritual procession flow.
Khanda Section: Vāstu-śāstra / Mandira-nirmāṇa (Temple architecture and measurements)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A temple plan and elevation are shown with the main shrine dimension marked; the architect derives doorway widths/heights by fractional reductions (yuga/ṛtu/nāga parts) and shows a stepwise quarter reduction for the liṅga-shrine doorway.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, temple elevation with highlighted doorway, artisan marking fractional segments on a measuring cord, stepped reduction shown as layered doorframes, earthy palette, stylized architecture","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, ornate temple doorway with gold foil emphasizing successive reduced frames, side panel showing measuring fractions yuga/ṛtu/nāga, rich decorative borders","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clear architectural diagram: dhāman baseline, doorway derived by fractional subtraction, liṅga-dvāra height reduced by pāda steps, neat annotations, soft colors","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, architect presenting a scroll with temple doorway proportions to a patron, detailed façade, measuring instruments, subtle depiction of graded door heights"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: युगर्तुनागांशैर्→युग+ऋतु+नाग+अंशैः; हीनादितः→हीनात्+इतः; लिङ्गद्वारोच्छ्रयादर्वाग्→लिङ्गद्वारोच्छ्रयात्+अर्वाक्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 54 (mandira-nirmāṇa measures); Agni Purana vāstu chapters on prāsāda/dvāra-lakṣaṇa (nearby)
FAQs
It teaches Vāstu-śāstra proportions for designing a shrine doorway—how to compute the door measure via prescribed fractional units and how to reduce doorway height in graded steps (notably by a quarter) for the liṅga-sanctum.
Beyond theology, it preserves practical architectural standards—precise dimensional canons for temple construction—showing the Agni Purana’s role as a compendium spanning ritual, sacred space planning, and technical design.
Correct proportions for the sanctum doorway are treated as essential to an auspicious, ritually valid sacred space, supporting proper worship flow and the sanctity of approaching the liṅga.