Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 35
Chapter 93 — वास्तुपूजादिविधानम्
Procedure for Vāstu-worship and Related Rites
चरक्याद्या भूतपदा रज्जुवंशादि पूर्ववत् देशसंस्थापने वास्तु चतुस्त्रिंशच्छतं भवेत्
carakyādyā bhūtapadā rajjuvaṃśādi pūrvavat deśasaṃsthāpane vāstu catustriṃśacchataṃ bhavet
Dans l’implantation d’un site (deśa-saṃsthāpana), on doit appliquer, comme il a été dit auparavant, les bhūta-padas commençant par la grille dite Carakī, ainsi que les procédés tels que la corde de mesure (rajju) et la perche de bambou (vaṃśa). Ainsi, la grille de Vāstu devient de 3 200 unités/padas.
Lord Agni (narrating Vāstu-vidyā to the sage Vasiṣṭha, as per the common Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Site-planning by establishing the vāstu grid using named bhūta-pada schemes (Carakī etc.) and measurement tools (cord and bamboo rod), yielding a 3200-pada/unit layout.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Deśa-saṃsthāpana: Carakī Bhūta-pada and 3200-unit Vāstu Grid","lookup_keywords":["deśa-saṃsthāpana","Carakī","bhūta-pada","rajju measurement","vaṃśa rod"],"quick_summary":"For laying out a building site, apply the bhūta-pada grid beginning with Carakī and use standard measuring tools like cord and bamboo rod as previously taught. The resulting vāstu measure is specified as 3200 units/padas."}
Concept: Right measure (māna) and correct grid-establishment are prerequisites for auspicious, stable construction.
Application: Use standardized tools and named grid-schemes to avoid errors in orientation and proportion, ensuring structural and ritual correctness.
Khanda Section: Vastu-shastra (Deśa-saṃsthāpana / Site-planning and Vāstu-puruṣa-maṇḍala)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Architect-priest team laying out a site: cord stretched, bamboo rods placed, a marked grid on the ground labeled with bhūta-padas like Carakī; notes indicating total padas/units.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: stylized ground grid with bold lines; craftsmen holding rajju (measuring cord) and vaṃśa (bamboo rod); palm-leaf manuscript reference; earthy palette with ritual lamps.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style with gold accents: auspicious site-laying scene, grid drawn on ground with gold-outlined squares; master-builder pointing to Carakī padā scheme; ornate borders, temple backdrop.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting: clear instructional diagram integrated into scene; cord geometry, right angles, labeled padas; gentle colors, precise linework, minimal clutter.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: surveyors in a garden-like plot measuring with cord and rods; detailed grid lines, annotations; architectural plan scrolls; fine textiles and patterned ground."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: carakyādyā → carakya-ādyāḥ; bhūtapadā → bhūta-padāḥ; catustriṃśacchataṃ → catuḥ-triṃśat-śatam (assimilation cc = t+ś).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 93 (earlier ‘pūrvavat’ measurement instructions); Agni Purana vāstu/śilpa chapters on māna, rajju, vaṃśa and maṇḍala
FAQs
It gives a Vāstu-śāstra instruction for site layout: use the previously taught measuring tools (cord and bamboo rod) and apply the named bhūta-pada grid sequence (starting with Carakī) to generate a large standardized Vāstu grid of 3200 units/padas.
It shows the Agni Purāṇa functioning as a technical manual, preserving architectural and surveying practice—named grid typologies, measurement instruments, and standardized numerical layouts—alongside its religious narratives.
Correct Vāstu measurement and grid-setting is treated as dharmic ordering of space; aligning construction with prescribed maṇḍala rules is traditionally believed to promote auspiciousness, stability, and harmony for occupants and the sacred function of the site.