Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 20
Liṅga-māna-ādi-kathana
Measurements and Related Particulars of the Liṅga
एकैकलिङ्गमध्येषु त्रीणि त्रीणि च पादशः लिङ्गानि घटयेद्धीमान् षट्सु चाष्टोत्तरेषु च
ekaikaliṅgamadhyeṣu trīṇi trīṇi ca pādaśaḥ liṅgāni ghaṭayeddhīmān ṣaṭsu cāṣṭottareṣu ca
Dans les intervalles entre chaque liṅga principal, l’officiant avisé doit disposer trois liṅga dans chaque pāda (quart). Et cette même disposition en triades doit être faite aussi dans les divisions en six et en huit plus un (neuf).
Lord Agni (narrating Agni Purana’s ritual-architectural instructions to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Planning subsidiary liṅga placements in interspaces and quarter-divisions of a shrine/maṇḍala, including layouts based on 6 and 9 divisions.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Triad-placement of Liṅgas in Pāda-divisions (including 6 and 9 grids)","lookup_keywords":["pada-vibhaga","linga-vinyasa","tri-linga","shrine-grid","mandala-division"],"quick_summary":"Between principal liṅgas, place three liṅgas per quarter-space; apply the same triad logic when the plan is divided into six parts and into nine (eight-plus-one) parts, yielding a repeatable installation grid."}
Concept: Sacred space is structured through repeatable division (vibhāga) and ordered placement (vinyāsa).
Application: Use consistent subdivision logic (quarters, sixfold, ninefold) to distribute subsidiary icons without crowding or asymmetry.
Khanda Section: Vastu–Shilpa & Linga-pratishtha (Temple Architecture and Iconometric Installation)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A floor-plan grid shows principal liṅgas with interspaces; in each quarter-space, three smaller liṅgas are placed. Alternate diagrams show six-division and nine-division layouts with the same triad pattern.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, schematic shrine plan with bold lines, central principal liṅga markers and clusters of three small liṅgas in each quadrant, priest gesturing to the grid, traditional decorative borders","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, ornate mandala-like plan with gold highlights, multiple liṅgas arranged symmetrically, rich jewel tones, ritual lamps and kalashas framing the diagram","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, instructional architectural plate: three-liṅga clusters per pāda, separate panels for 6-division and 9-division, clear labels and neat geometry","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, top-down architectural diagram with artisans placing small stone liṅgas, fine detailing of tools and measuring cords, marginal notes in calligraphy"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: Sandhi: घटयेत्+धीमान्→घटयेद्धीमान्; षट्+सु→षट्सु; च+अष्टोत्तरेषु→चाष्टोत्तरेषु.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 54 (liṅga-vinyāsa and plan divisions)
FAQs
It gives a placement rule for multiple Shiva-liṅgas: arrange liṅgas in triads within each quarter/section, and apply the same scheme when the plan is divided into six or nine positions.
Beyond theology, it preserves practical Vāstu–Śilpa and pratishṭhā procedure—showing the Agni Purana’s coverage of ritual engineering, spatial planning, and temple-installation protocols.
Correct spatial arrangement is treated as essential to valid consecration (pratiṣṭhā), ensuring orderly worship, ritual efficacy, and the intended merit (puṇya) from establishing Śiva’s emblem in a properly sanctified layout.