Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 36
Chapter 64 — कूपादिप्रतिष्ठाकथनं
The Account of the Consecration of Wells and Other Water-Works
वाप्यां पञ्चदशकरं पुष्करिण्यां तु विंशतिकं तडागे पञ्चविंशाख्यं जलमध्ये निवेशयेत्
vāpyāṃ pañcadaśakaraṃ puṣkariṇyāṃ tu viṃśatikaṃ taḍāge pañcaviṃśākhyaṃ jalamadhye niveśayet
Dans une vāpī (puits à degrés), on installera (le repère/pilier central) de quinze mains; dans une puṣkariṇī (bassin de lotus), de vingt; et dans un taḍāga (lac/réservoir), celui dit de vingt-cinq, en le plaçant au milieu de l’eau.
Lord Agni (in instruction to sage Vasiṣṭha, as per the common Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Set proportional standards (hasta-measures) for central installation/marker in different water-works—stepwell, pond, and tank—ensuring symmetry and ritual-structural correctness.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Jala-śilpa measures: central installation lengths for vāpī, puṣkariṇī, taḍāga","lookup_keywords":["vāpī","puṣkariṇī","taḍāga","hasta-māna","jala-madhya"],"quick_summary":"For water-reservoir works, place the central element in the middle of the water with standard lengths: 15 hasta (vāpī), 20 (puṣkariṇī), 25 (taḍāga)."}
Concept: Applied sacred engineering: proportion and centering as dhārmic order in built environment.
Application: Use the specified hasta modules when designing/marking water-reservoir centers for stability, symmetry, and ritual compliance.
Khanda Section: Vāstu-śāstra / Jala-śilpa (Water-reservoir measurements and installation)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: śānta
Type: Tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Three water structures shown side-by-side: a stepwell (vāpī), a lotus pond (puṣkariṇī), and a large tank (taḍāga), each with a central marker/pillar placed in the middle and annotated with 15/20/25 hasta.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, stylized stepwell with descending steps, lotus pond with blooming lotuses, broad tank with rippling water; central pillar in each, Sanskrit numerals/labels subtly integrated, earthy palette.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, decorative lotus motifs and gold accents on water ripples and central marker, three-panel composition for vāpī/puṣkariṇī/taḍāga, ornate borders.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting with diagrammatic clarity: measured lines and hasta ticks, cross-sectional view of stepwell, plan view of pond and tank, central placement emphasized, clean annotations.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, landscaped garden setting with a pond and tank, architectural stepwell, attendants measuring with rods, central marker being placed, fine detail and perspective."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Hamsadhwani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पञ्चविंशाख्यम् = पञ्चविंश-आख्यम्; जलमध्ये = जल-मध्ये.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 64 (jala-śilpa and installation measures around yūpa/central placements)
FAQs
It gives proportional measurements (15/20/25 hands) for installing a central feature/marker in different types of water-reservoirs—vāpī, puṣkariṇī, and taḍāga—specifically to be placed at the water’s center.
Beyond theology, it preserves applied civil-architectural standards (vāstu + jala-śilpa), showing the text’s coverage of practical infrastructure like stepwells, ponds, and tanks with precise measurements.
Correctly constructing and proportioning water-reservoirs is treated as a meritorious, purifying public good (dharma), supporting ritual cleanliness and community welfare—thus accruing religious merit through right building practice.