Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 10
Chapter 56 — दिक्पालयागकथनम्
Account of the Worship of the Guardians of the Directions
प्रदद्यादुपरिष्टाच्च कुर्याच्चक्रं सुदर्शनं पञ्चहस्तप्रमाणन्तु ध्वजं कुर्याद्द्विचक्षणः
pradadyādupariṣṭācca kuryāccakraṃ sudarśanaṃ pañcahastapramāṇantu dhvajaṃ kuryāddvicakṣaṇaḥ
On le placera au sommet et l’on façonnera le disque Sudarśana comme emblème. L’étendard (dhvaja) sera fait à la mesure de cinq hastas ; l’artisan habile le réalisera avec deux ouvertures ou marques semblables à des yeux.
Lord Agni (instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha in ritual/temple specifications)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Shilpa","secondary_vidya":"Vastu","practical_application":"Designing and installing temple emblems: placing the upper element, crafting the Sudarśana-cakra emblem, and constructing a five-hasta dhvaja with specified ‘two-eye’ markings/apertures as per consecration standards.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Sudarśana-cakra and five-hasta dhvaja construction with dvi-cakṣaṇa marks","lookup_keywords":["Sudarśana-cakra","dhvaja","pañca-hasta","dvi-cakṣaṇa","upariṣṭāt"],"quick_summary":"The verse prescribes the top placement of the emblem, the making of the Sudarśana discus, and a standardized five-hasta banner with two characteristic markings—guiding artisans in temple insignia construction."}
Weapon Type: Chakra (as emblem, not combat instruction)
Concept: Sacred symbols (cakra, dhvaja) externalize divine authority and protect the kṣetra when correctly proportioned and installed.
Application: Follow standardized measures and identifying marks so the emblem functions ritually (maṅgala, rakṣā) and aesthetically (śobhā).
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Iconography & Dhvaja/Temple Emblems)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"An artisan installs a Sudarśana-cakra finial at the top; a tall dhvaja of five hastas is prepared with two eye-like markings; the temple façade frames the emblematic installation.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, temple top with Sudarśana-cakra finial glowing, craftsmen on scaffolding, dhvaja with two eye-like marks, bold outlines, warm reds and yellows, stylized clouds and flames of sanctity","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, Viṣṇu temple emblem scene with heavy gold leaf on Sudarśana-cakra and dhvaja ornaments, rich blue-green background, embossed halo-like radiance around the discus","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, technical depiction of dhvaja measurement (five-hasta) and the two markings, artisan demonstrating placement at the top, clean lines and labeled components, subdued elegant palette","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, palace-like temple courtyard with artisans raising a flagstaff, Sudarśana-cakra finial detailed with fine gold, dhvaja cloth showing two distinct marks, intricate architectural borders"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Hamsadhwani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: प्रदद्यादुपरिष्टाच्च = प्रदद्यात् + उपरिष्टात् + च; कुर्याच्चक्रं = कुर्यात् + च + चक्रम्; प्रमाणन्तु = प्रमाणम् + तु; कुर्याद्द्विचक्षणः = कुर्यात् + द्वि-चक्षणः.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 56 (dhvaja/torana/stambha installation sequence; upper placements and measurements)
FAQs
It gives dhvaja-vidhi: how to place the upper emblem (Sudarśana-cakra) and the prescribed standard measurement (five hastas), including a construction detail described as “two-eyed” (two apertures/marks).
It preserves practical temple-technology—iconographic emblems, proportional measurements, and craft instructions—showing the text’s coverage beyond mythology into śilpa/vāstu and ritual engineering.
Correctly installing the Sudarśana emblem and proportioned dhvaja is treated as ritually efficacious—supporting proper worship, auspiciousness, and the merit (puṇya) associated with maintaining orthodox temple symbols.