Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 30
Chapter 41 — शिलाविन्यासविधानं
The Procedure for Laying the Stones / Foundation Setting
रसमेव चेति ग घ ङ चिह्नितपुस्तकद्वयपाठः प्रिययेति ग, चिह्नितपुस्तकपाठः गर्भं न्यस्येष्टका न्यस्य ततो गर्भं प्रपूरयेत् पीठबन्धमतः कुर्यान्मितप्रासादमानतः
rasameva ceti ga gha ṅa cihnitapustakadvayapāṭhaḥ priyayeti ga, cihnitapustakapāṭhaḥ garbhaṃ nyasyeṣṭakā nyasya tato garbhaṃ prapūrayet pīṭhabandhamataḥ kuryānmitaprāsādamānataḥ
ガルバ（garbha：内陣の核となる室／基礎の空洞）を据え、煉瓦を積んだのち、ガルバを完全に充填すべきである。次いで、寺院の測定された比例に従って、ピータ・バンダ（pīṭha-bandha：台座の帯状部／基壇の縁取り）を築く。
Lord Agni (in dialogue tradition, instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Temple foundation sequencing: forming the garbha-cavity, brick-laying, filling/compaction, then executing the pitha-bandha according to measured pramana.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Garbha-nyasa and Pitha-bandha sequence in Prasada construction","lookup_keywords":["garbha-nyasa","ishtaka-nyasa","garbha-purana","pitha-bandha","pramana"],"quick_summary":"After establishing the sanctum-core cavity and laying bricks, the cavity is fully filled/compacted; then the plinth-bonding course is built strictly by the temple’s measured proportions."}
Concept: Pramāṇa (right measure) and krama (proper sequence) as dharmic correctness in sacred building.
Application: Use modular measurement and ordered construction steps to ensure structural stability and ritual validity.
Khanda Section: Vāstu-Śāstra / Prāsāda-Lakṣaṇa (Temple Architecture and Construction)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Temple foundation work: a marked square plan, a central garbha-cavity being set, bricks laid, the cavity filled, and the first plinth moulding course begun with measuring rods.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, earthy reds and greens, craftsmen and sthapati around a sanctum foundation pit (garbha), placing bricks and filling it, measuring with danda and cord, stylized architecture motifs, flat perspective, ornate borders","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style with gold leaf accents, a sthapati holding a measuring rod beside a partially built plinth (pitha-bandha), bricks stacked, sanctum core indicated, rich textiles, temple lamps, gilded architectural highlights","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, clean linework and soft colors, instructional depiction of garbha-nyasa then garbha-purana then pitha-bandha, labeled modules/padas, craftsmen in orderly sequence, minimal background","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed construction scene with masons laying bricks into a central cavity, overseer with plan scroll, precise geometry on the ground, delicate shading, architectural cross-section feel"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: rasam+eva→rasameva; nyasya+iṣṭakāḥ→nyasyeṣṭakāḥ; kuryāt+mita-…→kuryān mita-…; mānataḥ treated as tasil-anta adverb (‘according to measure’). Editorial notes (ga/gha/ṅa readings) omitted from pada analysis.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 41 (Prāsāda-lakṣaṇa: measurements, pīṭha, garbha, iṣṭakā-vidhi)
FAQs
It teaches a practical Vāstu step-sequence: set the garbha core, lay bricks, fill the garbha cavity fully, and then build the pīṭha-bandha (plinth course) according to prescribed temple measurements.
By giving concrete, procedural construction instructions (materials, sequence, and proportional measurement), it shows the Agni Purana functioning as a technical manual of Vāstu-śāstra alongside its religious narratives.
Correctly constructing the sanctum-core and its base according to measure is treated as dharmic workmanship: it supports a stable, ritually fit abode for the deity, aligning the structure with sacred order (proper proportion and purity of installation).