Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 31
Chapter 61 — द्वारप्रतिष्ठाध्वजारोहाणादिविधिः
Gateway Installation, Flag Hoisting, and Allied Rites
प्रासादस्य तु विस्तारो मानं दण्डस्य कीर्तितं शिखरार्धेन वा कुर्यात् तृतीयार्धेन वा पुनः
prāsādasya tu vistāro mānaṃ daṇḍasya kīrtitaṃ śikharārdhena vā kuryāt tṛtīyārdhena vā punaḥ
La largeur du prāsāda est dite être la mesure du daṇḍa. On fixera la proportion en prenant soit la moitié du śikhara, soit de nouveau son tiers.
Lord Agni (in instruction to the sage Vasiṣṭha, Agni Purāṇa’s primary didactic frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Determining prāsāda breadth using the standard measuring rod (daṇḍa) and relating width to śikhara proportions for consistent temple design.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Prāsāda-Vistāra Māna: Breadth by Daṇḍa and Śikhara Fractions","lookup_keywords":["prāsāda-vistāra","daṇḍa-māna","śikhara-ardha","tṛtīyāṃśa","vāstu-māna"],"quick_summary":"Temple breadth is fixed by the canonical measuring unit (daṇḍa) and may be proportioned with reference to the śikhara—using either half or one-third—ensuring harmonious dimensional planning."}
Concept: Māna (standard measure) and proportionality are dharmic constraints that translate sacred intent into stable form.
Application: Adopt a consistent daṇḍa unit and relate plan-breadth to śikhara proportions to avoid disharmony and structural/ritual incongruity.
Khanda Section: Vāstu-vidyā (Prāsāda-Lakṣaṇa / Temple Architecture)
Primary Rasa: śānta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A sthapati measures a temple plan with a daṇḍa rod; beside him a drawn elevation shows the śikhara, with marked segments indicating half and one-third proportions used to set the prāsāda breadth.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, architect with measuring rod, temple outline and śikhara diagram, assistants holding palm-leaf plans, bold flat colors, clear proportional markings","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, temple elevation with gold accents on śikhara tiers, architect measuring breadth on a plan, rich decorative borders, ceremonial yet technical mood","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional composition with plan and elevation, daṇḍa rod as scale, half/third divisions clearly shown, fine lines and soft shading","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly architect scene with detailed drawings, measuring instruments, temple model with śikhara, precise geometric annotations"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bilawal","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: शिखरार्धेन = शिखर-अर्धेन; तृतीयार्धेन = तृतीय-अर्धेन.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 61 (prāsāda-lakṣaṇa and māna rules)
FAQs
Vāstu-vidyā: it gives a proportional rule for determining the prāsāda’s width using the daṇḍa standard, tied to the śikhara’s fractional measure (1/2 or 1/3).
It preserves applied architectural mathematics—standard units (daṇḍa) and proportional design (śikhara fractions)—showing the Agni Purāṇa’s coverage beyond mythology into technical temple-building practice.
Correct proportion in sacred construction is treated as dhārmic order (proper form for worship-space), supporting auspiciousness and ritual efficacy by aligning the structure with prescribed Vāstu norms.