Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 13
Chapter 39 — भूपरिग्रहविधानम्
Bhū-parigraha-vidhāna: Procedure for Acquiring and Ritually Securing Land
चण्डीशस्य महेशस्य ऐशे विष्णोश् च सर्वशः पूर्वदेवकुलं पीड्य प्रासादं स्वल्पकं त्वथ
caṇḍīśasya maheśasya aiśe viṣṇoś ca sarvaśaḥ pūrvadevakulaṃ pīḍya prāsādaṃ svalpakaṃ tvatha
Di sektor Īśāna (timur laut) untuk Caṇḍīśa dan Maheśa, dan demikian pula untuk Viṣṇu dalam segala hal—dengan menyingkirkan atau menata kembali pūrvadeva-kula (lingkungan dewa yang terdahulu) sesuai kebutuhan—kemudian hendaknya dibangun sebuah prāsāda yang relatif kecil.
Lord Agni (in instruction to the sage Vasiṣṭha, Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Temple siting and shrine-sizing guidance for specific deities within the north-east (īśāna) sector and relative to existing enclosures.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Īśāna-sector shrine placement and sizing for Caṇḍīśa/Maheśa/Viṣṇu","lookup_keywords":["īśāna","prāsāda-lakṣaṇa","caṇḍīśa","maheśa","viṣṇu"],"quick_summary":"In the north-east sector, allocate shrines for Śaiva forms (Caṇḍīśa, Maheśa) and also Viṣṇu as prescribed; adjust/relocate earlier deity-enclosures as needed and construct a comparatively small prāsāda."}
Concept: Hierarchy and appropriateness (yogyatā) in sacred architecture: deity, direction, and scale must be mutually fitting.
Application: When expanding a temple complex, re-plan earlier sub-shrines/enclosures and keep certain shrines smaller to preserve spatial and ritual hierarchy.
Khanda Section: Vastu-Shastra / Prasada-Lakshana (Temple Architecture and Sacred Building)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: Sacred-direction
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A temple compound plan showing the north-east (īśāna) corner with small shrines labeled for Caṇḍīśa and Maheśa, and a Viṣṇu shrine indicated; an older deity-enclosure being shifted/adjusted to make space.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, temple compound with īśāna corner highlighted, small prāsāda with Śiva emblems, Caṇḍīśa depicted as fierce guardian, Viṣṇu with conch and discus, priests measuring and indicating relocation of an older shrine, ornate floral borders","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, gold-leaf on shrine finials and deity halos, compact NE-corner shrine cluster, Caṇḍīśa and Maheśa in small sanctums, Viṣṇu in a balanced niche, rich temple architecture with gilded accents","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional architectural vignette: labeled īśāna corner, scaled-down prāsāda drawn with measurements, artisans and sthapati consulting palm-leaf plans, fine linework","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, bird’s-eye courtyard with NE corner emphasized, builders moving a small enclosure, delicate architectural detailing, attendants holding plans, subtle color washes"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: विष्णोश् → विष्णोः; त्वथ → तु अथ.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 39 (prāsāda-lakṣaṇa and sectoral allocations); Agni Purana passages on devatā-sthāpana and temple compounds
FAQs
It gives a Vāstu-Śāstra placement-and-sizing rule: for specific deities (Śiva forms and Viṣṇu), the shrine (prāsāda) is to be planned with attention to the Īśa (north-east) sector and built as a comparatively small structure, after reorganizing the prior devakula (deity-compound).
Beyond mythology, the Agni Purāṇa preserves practical temple-planning norms—directional zoning, shrine typology, and compound organization—showing its coverage of applied sciences like Vāstu and sacred architecture alongside theology.
Correct deity placement and proportion in a prāsāda is treated as dharmic alignment of space; building according to prescribed quarters (like Īśāna) is believed to support auspiciousness, stability of worship, and merit (puṇya) for the patron and community.