Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 32
Chapter 92 — प्रतिष्ठाविधिकथनम्
Narration of the Consecration / Installation Procedure
पाषाणानां शिलाः कार्या इष्टकानां तदर्धतः प्रासादे ऽश्मशिलाः शैले इष्टका इष्टकामये
pāṣāṇānāṃ śilāḥ kāryā iṣṭakānāṃ tadardhataḥ prāsāde 'śmaśilāḥ śaile iṣṭakā iṣṭakāmaye
Pour un temple de pierre, les dalles doivent être faites de pierre ; pour un temple de brique, elles doivent être réalisées à la moitié de cette norme. Dans un sanctuaire bâti en pierre, les dalles sont de pierre ; dans une structure de pierre de montagne, elles sont aussi de pierre ; et dans une construction de brique, elles sont de brique.
Lord Agni (in discourse to the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Material-dependent sizing rule: stone temples use stone slabs; brick temples use slabs at half the stone standard; clarifies appropriate material matching for durability and ritual correctness.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Rule","entry_title":"Material Rule for Śilā/Slab Standards in Stone vs Brick Prāsāda","lookup_keywords":["pāṣāṇa","iṣṭakā","prāsāda","śilā","tadardha","material-standard"],"quick_summary":"Match slab material to the temple’s construction material; for brick structures use half the stone standard, ensuring proportional and structurally suitable components."}
Concept: Appropriateness (yogyatā) of means: sacred form adapts to material conditions without losing order
Application: When planning a shrine, choose slab material and scale based on whether the structure is stone or brick to maintain stability and canonical proportion.
Khanda Section: Vastu-shastra (Prasada-Lakshana / Temple Architecture)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Two adjacent temple construction scenes: one stone prāsāda with stone slabs; one brick prāsāda with smaller, half-standard slabs; a sthapati compares materials and dimensions.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural split-panel: left stone temple with grey slabs, right brick temple with reddish bricks and smaller slabs, sthapati holding measuring rod, traditional ornamental borders","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold detailing on temple outlines, contrasting textures of stone and brick, craftsmen arranging slabs, decorative framing emphasizing sacred architecture","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional comparative chart-like painting: stone vs brick columns, slab sizes shown proportionally, annotations for 'tadardha' (half), clear didactic composition","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, architectural comparison in a courtyard workshop, stacks of stone blocks and bricks, artisans measuring and cutting, fine detail and balanced composition"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":null,"pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तदर्धतः → तद्-अर्धतः; प्रासादे ऽश्मशिलाः → प्रासादे अश्म-शिलाः
Related Themes: Agni Purana 92 (continuation of prāsāda-lakṣaṇa material and measurement rules)
FAQs
It gives a Vāstu-śāstra rule for temple construction: choose slab material according to the building medium (stone for stone temples, brick for brick temples) and reduce the slab standard to half in brick-based construction.
Beyond theology, it preserves practical architectural standards—material selection and proportional rules—showing the Agni Purana’s coverage of applied sciences like Śilpa/Vāstu alongside ritual and doctrine.
By prescribing correct materials and proportions for a prāsāda, the verse implies that orderly, rule-based construction supports the sanctity, stability, and proper consecration of the deity’s abode, thereby enhancing religious merit for patron and builders.