Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 31
Pratiṣṭhā-sāmagrī-vidhāna — Prescription of Materials and Conditions for Consecration
पूर्वादितोब्जजे रक्ता नीलानन्तस्य नैरृते पञ्चहस्तास्तदर्धाश् च ध्वजा दीर्घाश् च विस्तराः
pūrvāditobjaje raktā nīlānantasya nairṛte pañcahastāstadardhāś ca dhvajā dīrghāś ca vistarāḥ
À partir de l’orient et dans les directions suivantes, les bannières doivent être rouges; au sud‑ouest (Nairṛta) elles doivent être bleues. Leur longueur doit être de cinq hastas et leur largeur de la moitié; ainsi sont‑elles prescrites, longues et d’une largeur proportionnée.
Lord Agni (in dialogue with Sage Vasiṣṭha, Agni Purāṇa narration frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Directional placement and proportional sizing of temple banners for correct vāstu alignment and standardized fabrication.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Dhvaja-dik-varṇa-pramāṇa (Directional colors and measurements of banners)","lookup_keywords":["dhvaja","dik","nairrta","pramana","hasta"],"quick_summary":"Assigns banner colors by direction (red from east onward; blue in the south-west) and fixes standard dimensions: length five hastas, breadth half."}
Concept: Dik-sambandha: harmonizing ritual objects with cardinal directions through color and proportion.
Application: Temple administrators and artisans follow fixed measures and directional coding to avoid ritual/architectural doṣa.
Khanda Section: Vāstu-Śāstra / Dhvaja-Lakṣaṇa (Temple & Banner Specifications)
Primary Rasa: Shanta
Secondary Rasa: Adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A plan-like depiction of a temple with cardinal directions marked; red banners placed from the east side onward, and a blue banner emphasized in the south-west; a craftsman measures cloth to five hastas length and half-width.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, temple ground with compass directions inscribed, priests indicating east and south-west, red patākās fluttering, one deep blue patākā at nairṛta corner, warm lamp glow, stylized clouds.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, symmetrical temple façade with directional banners, gold-leaf on measuring rod and banner finials, vivid red textiles, a contrasting lapis-blue banner at south-west, ornate borders.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional diagram aesthetic: labeled directions (pūrva, āgneya, dakṣiṇa, nairṛta), banner swatches in red and blue, artisan with hasta-measure, clean composition.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtyard scene with surveyor marking directions, attendants holding red and blue standards, meticulous textile patterns, architectural geometry in background."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पूर्वादितोब्जजे → पूर्वात् + इतः + अब्जजे; पञ्चहस्तास्तदर्धाश् → पञ्चहस्ताः + तदर्धाः (visarga/sandhi).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 95 (Dhvaja-lakṣaṇa and pramāṇa sequence)
FAQs
It gives Vāstu/temple-ritual specifications for dhvajas: directional color assignment (red from the eastern sequence; blue in the south-west) and exact proportions (5 hastas long, width half that).
Beyond mythology, it preserves practical architectural-ritual standards—directional symbolism, color-coding, and precise measurements—typical of Vāstu and temple protocol sections in the Agni Purāṇa.
Correct directional colors and proportions align the shrine with cosmic order (dik-śakti), supporting auspiciousness and ritual efficacy, and are traditionally held to avert inauspicious influences associated with misaligned Vāstu.