Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 31
Chapter 92 — प्रतिष्ठाविधिकथनम्
Narration of the Consecration / Installation Procedure
शिलाः प्रासादलिङ्गस्य पादधर्मादिसञ्ज्ञकाः अष्टाङ्गुलोच्छ्रिताः शस्ताश् चतुरस्राः करायताः
śilāḥ prāsādaliṅgasya pādadharmādisañjñakāḥ aṣṭāṅgulocchritāḥ śastāś caturasrāḥ karāyatāḥ
Les dalles de pierre destinées au liṅga du sanctuaire, connues sous des noms tels que « pāda » et « dharma » (et autres désignations apparentées), sont recommandées d’une hauteur de huit aṅgula, de forme carrée et d’une longueur d’un kara.
Lord Agni (in instruction to sage Vasiṣṭha, in the Agni Purāṇa’s architectural discourse)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Provides measurable specifications for stone slabs associated with the prāsāda-liṅga base/parts (pāda, dharma, etc.), guiding craftsmen and ritualists in correct dimensions and shapes.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Śilā Dimensions for Prāsāda-Liṅga Components (Pāda/Dharma)","lookup_keywords":["prāsāda-liṅga","śilā","pāda","dharma","aṅgula","kara"],"quick_summary":"Stone slabs used for the temple-liṅga’s associated components should be square, eight aṅgulas high, and one kara in length—serving as a dimensional rule for construction and installation."}
Concept: Sacred order expressed through proportion and standardized measure (māna)
Application: Use aṅgula/kara measures to ensure consistent, ritually acceptable fabrication of liṅga-related slabs.
Khanda Section: Vāstu-śāstra / Prāsāda-lakṣaṇa (Temple Architecture and Icon-Base Specifications)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A master sthapati indicates a square stone slab beside a liṅga pedestal plan, marking eight aṅgulas in height and one kara in length, with labels pāda and dharma.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural aesthetic applied to a workshop scene: sthapati with measuring rod, square śilā blocks, schematic liṅga base motifs, earthy pigments and stylized tools","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, craftsmen presenting a square slab with gold-highlighted measurement marks, liṅga pedestal motif in background, ornate framing typical of temple art","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, technical diagram-like clarity: square slab, measurement annotations (8 aṅgula, 1 kara), sthapati instructing apprentices, clean lines and muted colors","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature workshop: artisans carving stone, ruler/rod for measures, square slab in foreground, architectural plan scroll, fine detail on stone texture"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":null,"pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: प्रासादलिङ्गस्य → प्रासाद-लिङ्गस्य; पादधर्मादिसञ्ज्ञकाः → पाद-धर्म-आदि-सञ्ज्ञकाः; अष्टाङ्गुलोच्छ्रिताः → अष्ट-अङ्गुल-उच्छ्रिताः; शस्ताश् → शस्ताः
Related Themes: Agni Purana 92 (Prāsāda-lakṣaṇa and śilā specifications around liṅga/adhisthāna elements)
FAQs
It gives vāstu-vidyā specifications for the stone components of a temple-liṅga base—standardizing the slab’s height (8 aṅgulas), shape (square), and length (1 kara) for correct construction.
Beyond theology, the Agni Purāṇa preserves practical architectural canons—precise building measurements and named structural elements—showing its role as a compendium of ritual, art, and construction sciences.
Correct measurements and forms are treated as safeguards of ritual propriety: building the liṅga’s base according to śāstra supports a valid installation (pratiṣṭhā), fostering purity, stability of worship, and the intended religious merit.