Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 42
Chapter 93 — वास्तुपूजादिविधानम्
Procedure for Vāstu-worship and Related Rites
उक्तानुक्ते तु वै वास्तुः पञ्चहस्तप्रमाणतः गृहप्रासादमानेन वास्तुः श्रेष्ठस्तु सर्वदा
uktānukte tu vai vāstuḥ pañcahastapramāṇataḥ gṛhaprāsādamānena vāstuḥ śreṣṭhastu sarvadā
Qu’elle ait été explicitement énoncée ou non, la mesure-modèle du Vāstu doit être prise à cinq hastas (coudées). Et, en l’appliquant selon les dimensions de la maison et du temple, cette mesure de Vāstu demeure toujours la meilleure.
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha, Agni Purāṇa’s primary didactic frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Establishes a default measurement module (pañca-hasta) for planning when explicit measures are absent; helps standardize house/temple dimensions and proportional scaling.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Pañca-hasta as default vāstu-pramāṇa module","lookup_keywords":["pañca-hasta","pramāṇa","gṛha-māna","prāsāda-māna","vāstu-śreṣṭha"],"quick_summary":"When specific measurements are not stated, adopt five cubits as the planning unit. Apply it consistently to house and temple dimensions for an optimal, standardized layout."}
Concept: Pramāṇa (right measure) is the basis of excellence (śreṣṭhatā) in built form.
Application: When uncertain, choose a consistent module (5 hasta) and scale all dimensions proportionally to avoid disharmony.
Khanda Section: Vāstu-śāstra (Architecture, House/Temple Measurement and Planning)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A sthapati demonstrates a five-cubit measuring rod/cord, scaling a house and a temple plan on a drawing board; grids and dimension marks are visible.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, architect holding measuring staff marked in cubits, large plan diagram with bold lines, assistants stretching a cord, minimal background, earthy palette","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, ornate depiction of Viśvakarmā-like architect with gold-highlighted measuring rod, plan of prāsāda with gold accents, rich decorative frame","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional scene: labeled ‘5 hasta’ module, clean architectural plan with proportional notes, soft colors and precise linework","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, workshop scene with ruler/cord, draftsman drawing temple elevation and plan, detailed tools and manuscripts, refined perspective"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Hamsadhwani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: uktānukte = ukta + anukte; śreṣṭhastu = śreṣṭhaḥ + tu.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 93 (vāstu planning context); Agni Purana 94 (foundation laying that presupposes correct measures)
FAQs
It gives a practical vāstu-śāstra rule: use a five-hasta (five-cubit) module as the default authoritative unit to proportion houses and prāsādas (temple/palace structures), even when a specific rule is not separately stated.
By prescribing standardized architectural measurement (pramāṇa) for domestic and sacred buildings, it shows the Agni Purāṇa’s coverage of applied sciences (śilpa/vāstu) alongside theology—one hallmark of its encyclopedic scope.
In Purāṇic vāstu, correct proportion and measure are linked to harmony and auspiciousness; following the approved pramāṇa is treated as supporting dharma in construction, promoting wellbeing and reducing inauspicious architectural faults (doṣa).