Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 10
Chapter 42 — प्रासादलक्षणकथनं
Prāsāda-lakṣaṇa-kathana: Characteristics of the Temple/Prāsāda
प्रतिमायाः प्रमाणन कर्तव्या पिण्डिका शुभा गर्भस्तु पिण्डिकार्धेन गर्भमानास्तु भित्तयः
pratimāyāḥ pramāṇana kartavyā piṇḍikā śubhā garbhastu piṇḍikārdhena garbhamānāstu bhittayaḥ
પ્રતિમાનું પ્રમાણ યોગ્ય રીતે નક્કી કરવું. શુભ પિંડિકા (આધાર-પીઠ) બનાવવી. ગર્ભગૃહનું માપ પિંડિકાના અડધા પ્રમાણથી રાખવું, અને ભિત્તિઓ ગર્ભગૃહના માપના અનુપાતે માપવી.
Lord Agni (teaching Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Shilpa","secondary_vidya":"Vastu","practical_application":"Gives a proportional chain from icon-measurement to pedestal (piṇḍikā), then to sanctum (garbha) and wall thickness/measure—used to size the garbhagṛha and its enclosing structure in harmony with the installed image.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Pratimā-pramāṇa with Piṇḍikā–Garbha–Bhitti Proportions","lookup_keywords":["pratimā-pramāṇa","piṇḍikā","garbha","garbhagṛha","bhitti-māna"],"quick_summary":"Determine icon measurements first; construct an auspicious pedestal; size the sanctum as half the pedestal measure, and proportion the walls according to the sanctum’s measure."}
Concept: Pramāṇa (right measure) is auspicious (śubha) and is the basis of sacred efficacy in built form.
Application: Start design from the icon and its base; derive the garbhagṛha and wall measures to avoid disproportion that would be considered inauspicious in pratimā-pratiṣṭhā contexts.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Pratima-lakshana (Iconography and image-measurements)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A measured icon on a pedestal; a plan of the garbhagṛha drawn to half the pedestal measure; walls marked with proportional ticks, showing the derivation sequence.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, pratimā on piṇḍikā with bold outlines, sthapati marking half-measure for garbha on a floor diagram, warm earthy palette, temple interior setting.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, pratimā and piṇḍikā emphasized with gold relief, sanctum plan diagram beside, ornamental borders, sacred workshop feel.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, technical diagram aesthetic: icon with measurement lines, pedestal labeled, garbha rectangle at half-scale, walls indicated, fine delicate lines and soft colors.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, architect and assistants measuring an idol and pedestal with rulers, a drawn sanctum plan on paper, detailed textiles and instruments, subtle shading."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: गर्भस्तु = गर्भः + तु; पिण्डिकार्धेन = पिण्डिका + अर्धेन; गर्भमानास्तु = गर्भमानाः + तु
Related Themes: Agni Purana 42 (pratimā-lakṣaṇa and prāsāda-māna continuity)
FAQs
It gives a proportional rule for temple-icon installation: establish the idol’s canonical measurements, make an auspicious pedestal (piṇḍikā), size the sanctum chamber (garbha/garbhagṛha) at half the pedestal’s measure, and proportion the walls to the sanctum.
Beyond mythology, it preserves applied śāstra—pratimā-lakṣaṇa and vastu-based architectural proportioning—showing the Agni Purana as a practical manual for temple design, icon installation, and ritual construction norms.
Correct proportioning of the pedestal, sanctum, and walls is treated as śubha (auspicious) and dharma-aligned, supporting a ritually pure abode for the deity and thereby enhancing the merit (puṇya) of construction and worship.