Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 19
Pratiṣṭhā-sāmagrī-vidhāna — Prescription of Materials and Conditions for Consecration
द्विहस्तोत्तरया वृद्ध्या शेषं स्यान्मण्डपाष्टकं , घ , छ च त्यक्त्वा वा चापसम्मितामिति ख त्यक्त्वा वा रामसम्मितामिति छ हस्ताद्वा दशसोपानादिति ख हस्तान् वा दश सोपानादिति ख स्नानार्हं चेति ङ प्राच्युतरे तथेति ङ द्विहस्तोत्तरयावृत्त्या इति घ वेदी चतुष्करा मध्ये कोणस्तम्भेन संयुता
dvihastottarayā vṛddhyā śeṣaṃ syānmaṇḍapāṣṭakaṃ , gha , cha ca tyaktvā vā cāpasammitāmiti kha tyaktvā vā rāmasammitāmiti cha hastādvā daśasopānāditi kha hastān vā daśa sopānāditi kha snānārhaṃ ceti ṅa prācyutare tatheti ṅa dvihastottarayāvṛttyā iti gha vedī catuṣkarā madhye koṇastambhena saṃyutā
Par une augmentation de deux hastas à chaque fois, l’ensemble prescrit restant constitue la série «octuple» des maṇḍapas (maṇḍapa-aṣṭaka) quant à leurs mesures. La vedī (plateforme d’autel) doit être carrée, et en son milieu on doit placer un pilier d’angle (koṇa-stambha) comme élément de structure.
Lord Agni (in the Agni Purana’s instructional dialogue, traditionally addressing Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Standardizing pavilion (maṇḍapa) dimensions in an eightfold series by adding two hastas incrementally; specifying a square vedī with a central structural member (koṇa-stambha/angled pillar) for stability and ritual geometry.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Maṇḍapāṣṭaka-māna (dvihasta-vṛddhi) and vedī-catuṣkarā with koṇa-stambha","lookup_keywords":["maṇḍapāṣṭaka","dvihasta-vṛddhi","vedī catuṣkarā","koṇa-stambha","māna-pramāṇa"],"quick_summary":"Maṇḍapa sizes are generated by a fixed two-hasta increment forming an eightfold set; the altar-platform is square and strengthened/defined by a central angled pillar element."}
Concept: Sacred architecture is governed by repeatable proportional algorithms (vṛddhi-krama) and stable geometric centers (vedī + stambha).
Application: Use modular increments for scalable designs; ensure structural and ritual centering via correctly placed pillars/platform geometry.
Khanda Section: Vāstu-Śāstra / Maṇḍapa-Vedī-Nirmāṇa (Temple Architecture and Measurements)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A plan-view diagram shows an eightfold sequence of maṇḍapas increasing by two hastas each; beside it, a square vedī is drawn with a central koṇa-stambha element, with craftsmen measuring and setting pillars.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, stylized blueprint-like squares and mandapas, craftsmen with measuring cords, central square vedī with highlighted stambha, warm earthy tones and bold outlines.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, ornate architectural diagram framed in gold, eight mandapa panels in sequence, square vedī emphasized with gilded central pillar motif, rich decorative borders.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, technical illustration: sequential mandapa sizes labeled, dvihasta increments marked, vedī square with central koṇa-stambha drawn precisely, calm palette and fine lines.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, construction site with artisans erecting pillars, an architect holding a folio showing the eightfold mandapa series, detailed tools and measured grids, subtle perspective."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Arabhi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: द्विहस्तोत्तरया = द्वि-हस्त-उत्तरया; स्यान्मण्डपाष्टकं = स्यात् मण्डप-अष्टकम्. श्लोके पाठान्तर-सूचनाः (घ/छ/ख/ङ) इत्यादयः सम्पादकीय-टिप्पण्यः, पदविश्लेषणे न गृहीताः।
Related Themes: Agni Purana Vāstu/Śilpa chapters enumerating maṇḍapa types and māna modules; Agni Purana passages on vedī construction and yajña-related layouts (where present)
FAQs
It teaches vāstu-style proportional planning: maṇḍapa sizes are generated by successive two-hasta increments, and the vedī is specified as a square platform with a defined central structural element (koṇa-stambha).
Beyond theology, it preserves practical architectural standards—measurement systems (hasta-based modules) and construction prescriptions for ritual spaces—showing the Purana’s coverage of applied sciences like vāstu and temple-building.
Correctly proportioned maṇḍapas and a properly formed vedī are treated as prerequisites for orderly worship; accurate construction supports ritual purity and is believed to stabilize the merit (puṇya) gained from sacrifices and temple rites.