Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 14
Chapter 39 — भूपरिग्रहविधानम्
Bhū-parigraha-vidhāna: Procedure for Acquiring and Ritually Securing Land
समं वाप्यधिकं वापि न कर्तव्यं विजानता उभयोर्द्विगुणां सीमां त्यक्त्वा चोच्छ्रयसम्मितां
samaṃ vāpyadhikaṃ vāpi na kartavyaṃ vijānatā ubhayordviguṇāṃ sīmāṃ tyaktvā cocchrayasammitāṃ
Seorang pembangun yang memahami kaidah tidak boleh membuat ukuran tepat sama, dan tidak pula berlebihan. Dengan meninggalkan batas ganda pada kedua sisi, hendaknya ia mengambil proporsi yang sepadan dengan tinggi yang ditetapkan.
Lord Agni (instructing Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Proportional control in architectural measurement—avoid exact equality or excess; choose dimensions aligned with prescribed height and boundary constraints.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Vāstu-māna: avoiding sama/adhika and adopting height-commensurate proportion","lookup_keywords":["vāstu-māna","pramāṇa","ucchraya","sīmā","prāsāda-proportion"],"quick_summary":"Do not set measures as rigidly equal or overly large; discard improper doubled boundary allowances and select dimensions proportionate to the intended height for stable, harmonious construction."}
Concept: Madhyama-mārga in craft: avoid extremes; proportion (sāmya) is not mere equality but contextual harmony.
Application: Use height as the controlling parameter when finalizing plan dimensions; avoid overbuilding that violates boundary/limit rules.
Khanda Section: Vāstu-Śāstra / Architecture & Measurement (Vāstu-Māna, proportional canons)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A sthapati with measuring rod and cord demonstrates proportional relationships between base boundary lines and the rising height of a prāsāda; a rejected ‘too equal’ and ‘too excessive’ plan shown beside the accepted proportional plan.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, artisans with measuring cords, stylized prāsāda elevation with marked height lines, two crossed-out plans (equal/excess) and one approved plan, earthy reds and ochres, temple-workshop setting","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold accents on measuring tools and shrine outline, central prāsāda elevation with highlighted ucchraya, side panels showing rejected extremes, rich decorative borders","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, technical diagram aesthetic, clear proportional grid, sthapati pointing to ucchraya-based ratios, labeled boundary limits, fine pen-like outlines","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, workshop scene with architects around a plan, one holding a scale, a prāsāda elevation on paper with ruled lines, subtle shading and detailed textiles"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: वाप्यधिकं → वा अपि अधिकम्; वापि → वा अपि; उभयोर्द्विगुणां → उभयोः द्विगुणाम्; चोच्छ्रयसम्मितां → च उच्छ्रयसम्मिताम्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 39 (māna/pramāṇa discussion around prāsāda construction)
FAQs
It teaches a vāstu-māna rule: avoid making dimensions strictly equal or excessively larger; instead, keep measurements within an allowed margin (sīmā) and align them with the intended height-based proportion (ucchraya-sammitā).
Beyond theology, the Agni Purana preserves practical technical science—here, architectural proportioning and tolerances—showing it functions as a compendium of applied knowledge (vāstu/śilpa) alongside ritual and dharma.
In Purāṇic vāstu thought, correct proportion supports auspiciousness and stability; following measured, rule-based construction is treated as dharmic craftsmanship that helps ensure the structure’s beneficent (śubha) effects rather than दोष (fault).