Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 8
Chapter 56 — दिक्पालयागकथनम्
Account of the Worship of the Guardians of the Directions
प्लक्षं सुशोभनं पूर्वं सुभद्रन्दक्षतोरणं सुकर्म च सुहोत्रञ्च आप्ये सौम्ये समुच्छ्रयम्
plakṣaṃ suśobhanaṃ pūrvaṃ subhadrandakṣatoraṇaṃ sukarma ca suhotrañca āpye saumye samucchrayam
Le bois de plakṣa est le plus propice pour le côté oriental. Pour le toraṇa du sud, Subhadra est recommandé. De même, Sukarma et Suhotra sont prescrits; et pour l’ouest et le nord, Āpya et Saumya doivent servir à la partie surélevée (superstructure/poteau).
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Material specification for torana/gateway components and superstructure posts by direction—choosing named woods for east/south/west/north to ensure auspicious construction and durability.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Directional wood prescriptions for torana and superstructure","lookup_keywords":["plakṣa","Subhadra","Sukarma","Suhotra","Āpya Saumya"],"quick_summary":"The verse assigns particular woods (by traditional names) to specific directions for gateways and raised members, functioning as a vāstu-material code for auspicious temple construction."}
Concept: Auspiciousness is operationalized through codified correspondences (dik–dravya-sambandha).
Application: When building gateways/superstructures, follow directional material codes to align with vāstu principles and ritual expectations.
Khanda Section: Vāstu-Śāstra (Temple/City Planning and Sacred Architecture)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Carpenters and sthapatis sort timber labeled by traditional names; a temple gateway is assembled with different woods assigned to east/south and superstructure posts for west/north.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, craftsmen with timber stacks, directional markers (east/south/west/north) around a gateway frame, stylized inscriptions on wood bundles (plakṣa, etc.), warm palette and bold outlines","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, grand torana under construction, gold detailing on carved wooden members, labeled wood bundles at sides, auspicious motifs (kalasha, lotus) integrated","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional workshop scene: sthapati with palm-leaf plan, assistants measuring and selecting woods for each direction, clean composition emphasizing labeled components and joinery","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, architectural atelier with artisans preparing gateway posts, timber textures finely rendered, directional banners indicating placement, refined borders and patterned floor"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सुभद्रन्दक्षतोरणं = सुभद्रम् + दक्ष-तोरणम्; सुहोत्रञ्च = सुहोत्रम् + च.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 56 (torana-stambha, dhvaja, measurements and installation rites)
FAQs
It gives a vāstu rule for selecting specific prescribed timbers/woods for different directions and for the torana (gateway arch) and raised structural elements, ensuring directional auspiciousness in sacred construction.
Beyond theology, it preserves practical architectural standards—material selection, directional mapping, and construction terminology—showing the text’s coverage of applied sciences like vāstu alongside ritual concerns.
Using direction-appropriate, auspicious materials is treated as ritually purifying and merit-producing, helping align the built space with cosmic order (dik-śuddhi) and thereby supporting prosperity and sanctity.