Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 11
Chapter 42 — प्रासादलक्षणकथनं
Prāsāda-lakṣaṇa-kathana: Characteristics of the Temple/Prāsāda
भित्तेरायाममानेन उत्सेधन्तु प्रकल्पयेत् भित्त्युच्छ्रायात्तु द्विगुणं शिखरं कल्पयेद् बुधः
bhitterāyāmamānena utsedhantu prakalpayet bhittyucchrāyāttu dviguṇaṃ śikharaṃ kalpayed budhaḥ
Dengan menjadikan panjang dinding sebagai ukuran, tentukan elevasi (tinggi) bangunan. Dari tinggi dinding itu, arsitek yang bijak hendaknya merancang śikhara (menara) setinggi dua kali lipatnya.
Lord Agni (instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Provides a clear proportional rule for vertical design: determine elevation from wall length, then set śikhara height as twice the wall height—used in temple elevation drafting and structural aesthetics.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Formula","entry_title":"Bhitti-māna to Utsedha and Dviguna-Śikhara Rule","lookup_keywords":["bhitti-āyāma","utsedha","bhitti-ucchrāya","śikhara","dviguṇa"],"quick_summary":"Compute the temple’s elevation using wall length as the base measure; then design the śikhara to be twice the wall height for a canonical superstructure proportion."}
Concept: Harmony (sāmya) in sacred architecture is achieved through fixed ratios linking base measures to vertical ascent.
Application: Use consistent ratios in elevation drawings to maintain visual stability and traditional correctness of the śikhara profile.
Khanda Section: Vāstu-Śāstra / Prāsāda-Lakṣaṇa (Temple Architecture and Measurements)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A temple elevation diagram: wall height marked, and śikhara drawn at double that height; an architect points to the ratio on a measuring staff.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, stylized temple elevation with bold ratio markings, sthapati gesturing to doubled śikhara height, deep reds/ochres, traditional border motifs.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, temple elevation with gold-highlighted śikhara, architect holding measuring rod, embossed ratio lines, rich saturated palette.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clean instructional elevation drawing integrated into a painting, precise proportional ticks showing 1:2 wall-to-śikhara, soft gradients and fine outlines.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed architectural section with annotations, architect and patron reviewing a scroll showing the dviguṇa śikhara rule, realistic instruments and textiles."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: भित्तेरायाममानेन = भित्तेः + आयाममानेन; भित्त्युच्छ्रायात्तु = भित्ति-उच्छ्रायात् + तु
Related Themes: Agni Purana 42 (continued proportional prescriptions for śikhara, bhramaṇa, maṇḍapa)
FAQs
It teaches a vāstu/śilpa proportional rule: set the building’s elevation with reference to wall length, and design the temple’s śikhara as twice the wall’s height.
Beyond theology, the Agni Purana codifies practical sciences like architecture—giving implementable design ratios for walls and superstructures, typical of its multi-disciplinary (encyclopedic) scope.
Correct proportion in temple construction is treated as dharmic precision: it supports a ritually fit sacred space, believed to enhance auspiciousness and the merit (puṇya) of the patron and builders.