Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 35
Chapter 61 — द्वारप्रतिष्ठाध्वजारोहाणादिविधिः
Gateway Installation, Flag Hoisting, and Allied Rites
ध्वजे चार्धेन विज्ञेया पताका मानवर्जिता विस्तरेण ध्वजः कार्यो विंशदङ्गुलसन्निभः
dhvaje cārdhena vijñeyā patākā mānavarjitā vistareṇa dhvajaḥ kāryo viṃśadaṅgulasannibhaḥ
Pour l’étendard (dhvaja), la banderole (patākā) doit être comprise comme la moitié (de sa mesure), en excluant la figure humaine (emblème). L’étendard doit être réalisé avec une largeur d’environ vingt aṅgulas.
Lord Agni (in instruction to sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Specifying military/ceremonial ensign dimensions: patākā proportion relative to dhvaja, and standard breadth in aṅgulas for fabrication.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Dhvaja–patākā pramāṇa: half-measure and 20-aṅgula breadth","lookup_keywords":["dhvaja","patākā","aṅgula","pramāṇa","ensign"],"quick_summary":"For a standard, the attached patākā is taken as half the measure (excluding the human emblem), and the dhvaja’s breadth is set at about twenty aṅgulas for making the implement."}
Weapon Type: Dhvaja/patākā (military ensign/standard)
Concept: Pramāṇa (measure) is a functional science: correct proportion ensures recognizability, dignity, and efficacy of symbols in public space.
Application: When crafting standards for procession or army, keep patākā proportionate and ensure breadth ~20 aṅgulas for consistent manufacture.
Khanda Section: Dhanurveda (Military ensigns and standards: dhvaja–patākā measurements)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A martial workshop scene: soldiers and craftsmen prepare a dhvaja with an emblem, measuring the patākā as half-length and setting the cloth breadth to twenty aṅgulas; the standard is readied for parade or battle.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, stylized warriors with a tall standard, clear half-length patākā, measurement marks, bold flat colors, rhythmic repetition of bells/cloth borders","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, regal standard with gold borders, emblem highlighted, attendants measuring with aṅgula scale, ceremonial military procession feel","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, technical illustration vibe: labeled aṅgula scale, half-measure patākā shown with clean lines, calm instructional composition","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed camp atelier, artisans measuring cloth with ruler, soldiers holding standard, fine textile rendering and emblem detail"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Kedar","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: चार्धेन = च + अर्धेन; विंशदङ्गुलसन्निभः = विंशत् + अङ्गुल + सन्निभः (त्/द् संधि).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 61 (dhvaja-lakṣaṇa); Agni Purana Dhanurveda sections (general: weapons, formations, training)
FAQs
It gives Dhanurveda-style technical specifications for military ensigns: the patākā is proportioned as half (relative to the dhvaja) and the dhvaja’s width is set at about twenty aṅgulas, with guidance on excluding a human emblem from the banner’s measure.
Beyond theology, it preserves practical standards for statecraft and warfare—precise measurements, proportional design rules, and emblem conventions—showing the Agni Purāṇa’s coverage of applied arts and military material culture.
By prescribing correct proportions and proper emblem-measure conventions, the text frames martial symbols as dharma-governed objects—orderly construction is treated as auspicious and as avoiding inauspicious irregularity in royal or military display.