Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 24
Chapter 61 — द्वारप्रतिष्ठाध्वजारोहाणादिविधिः
Gateway Installation, Flag Hoisting, and Allied Rites
कण्ठं कण्ठमिति ज्ञेयं स्कन्धं वेदी निगद्येते पायूपस्थे प्रणाले तु त्वक् सुधा परिकीर्तिता
kaṇṭhaṃ kaṇṭhamiti jñeyaṃ skandhaṃ vedī nigadyete pāyūpasthe praṇāle tu tvak sudhā parikīrtitā
La gorge doit être comprise comme «kaṇṭha» ; l’épaule (skandha) est dite être la «vedī» (autel/plate-forme). Dans la région de l’anus et des organes génitaux se trouve le «praṇāla» (canal, conduit) ; et la peau (tvak) est déclarée être la «sudhā» (enduit, badigeon blanchâtre).
Lord Agni (in discourse to the sage Vasiṣṭha, as per the standard Agni Purana narration frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Ayurveda","practical_application":"Using anatomical nomenclature as a mnemonic to identify and name architectural/ritual components (vedī, praṇāla, sudhā) and to visualize the temple as a body for design and consecration.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Body–Architecture Equivalences: Kaṇṭha–Vedī–Praṇāla–Sudhā","lookup_keywords":["vedī","praṇāla","sudhā","kaṇṭha","skandha"],"quick_summary":"Defines correspondences: throat as kaṇṭha; shoulder as vedī (platform/altar); anal-genital region as praṇāla (conduit); skin as sudhā (plaster). Serves as technical vocabulary and visualization aid in vāstu/ritual contexts."}
Alamkara Type: Rūpaka (identificatory metaphor)
Concept: Microcosm–macrocosm mapping: bodily channels/coats mirrored in temple conduits/coatings.
Application: Supports correct identification of vedī/praṇāla/sudhā in construction and ritual maintenance (plastering, drainage, platform layout).
Khanda Section: Ayurveda / Sharira-sthana (Anatomical & physiological nomenclature)
Primary Rasa: Adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: Shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"An instructional plate showing a temple platform (vedī), a drainage spout/channel (praṇāla), and plaster coating (sudhā), with a human figure indicating shoulder, lower pelvic region, and skin as analogues.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, didactic composition: temple base with vedī, visible praṇāla outlet, white sudhā coating, alongside a stylized human figure pointing to shoulder, pelvic region, and skin; earthy reds and greens.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style: temple platform and praṇāla rendered with gold accents, sudhā as bright white, small inset human anatomy icons (shoulder/skin) in traditional ornamented frame.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting: precise line drawing of vedī and praṇāla placement, cross-section showing plaster layers (sudhā), with labeled correspondences to kaṇṭha/skandha/pāyūpastha/tvak.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature technical folio: architectural vignette of temple base with water outlet, artisans applying plaster, marginal human-analogy notes in nastaʿlīq-like calligraphy styling (but Sanskrit labels)."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: kaṇṭhamiti → kaṇṭham + iti; pāyūpasthe → pāyu-upasthe (ū + u sandhi); nigadyete is dual present.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 61 (prāsāda/pratimā body-mapping passages)
FAQs
It provides Ayurvedic-style anatomical nomenclature using technical metaphors—mapping body parts to functional/structural terms like vedī (platform), praṇāla (conduit), and sudhā (protective coating).
Alongside theology and ritual, the Agni Purana preserves applied knowledge systems; here it records a compact lexicon for anatomy and bodily structures, reflecting the text’s multi-disciplinary, reference-manual character.
By promoting precise knowledge of the body’s structure and functions, it supports disciplined living and purity-oriented practice; such clarity is traditionally seen as aiding right conduct (ācāra) and health, which underpin dharma.