Home›Garuda Purana›Brahma Khanda›Adhyaya 47›Shloka 15
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Shloka 15

Prāsāda-Lakṣaṇa: Temple Proportions, Śikhara Ratios, Liṅga–Pīṭha Measures, and Auspicious Ground-Plans

Devanagari script

कराग्रं वेदवत्कृत्वा द्वारं भागाष्टमं भवेत् / विस्तरेण समाख्यातं द्विगुणंस्वेच्छया भवेत्

Transliteration

karāgraṃ vedavatkṛtvā dvāraṃ bhāgāṣṭamaṃ bhavet / vistareṇa samākhyātaṃ dviguṇaṃsvecchayā bhavet

Translation

ヴェーダの方法に従い、指先を起点として基本の寸法を定めるなら、門口は（定められた寸法の）八分の一とすべきである。幅は詳しく説かれ、高さは望みにより二倍としてよい。

Word by Word
कराग्रम्the tip of the hand
कराग्रम्:
Karma (Object/कर्म)
TypeNoun
Rootकर + अग्र (प्रातिपदिके; समास)
Formनपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: ‘करस्य अग्रं’ = tip of the hand
वेदवत्according to Vedic rule
वेदवत्:
Kriya-visheshana (Adverbial/क्रियाविशेषण)
TypeIndeclinable
Rootवेदवत् (अव्यय)
Formअव्यय; क्रियाविशेषण (adverb: according to the Veda / in a prescribed manner)
कृत्वाhaving made
कृत्वा:
Purvakala-kriya (Prior action/पूर्वकालक्रिया)
TypeVerb
Rootकृ (धातु) + त्वा (कृदन्त)
Formक्त्वान्त-अव्यय (gerund/absolutive); ‘having made/done’
द्वारम्the doorway
द्वारम्:
Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
TypeNoun
Rootद्वार (प्रातिपदिक)
Formनपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; ‘door/doorway’
भागाष्टमम्one-eighth portion
भागाष्टमम्:
Visheshana (Adjectival/विशेषण)
TypeAdjective
Rootभाग + अष्टम (प्रातिपदिके; समास)
Formनपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: ‘भागस्य अष्टमम्’ = one-eighth part; विशेषण of द्वारम्
भवेत्should be
भवेत्:
Kriya (Predicate/क्रिया)
TypeVerb
Rootभू (धातु)
Formविधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; ‘should be’
विस्तरेणby (its) width
विस्तरेण:
Karana (Instrument/करण)
TypeNoun
Rootविस्तर (प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन; ‘by/with (its) width/extent’
समाख्यातम्is explained
समाख्यातम्:
Karma (Predicate complement/कर्म)
TypeVerb
Rootसम्-आ-ख्या (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
Formभूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (past passive participle, क्त); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; ‘declared/explained’
द्विगुणम्double
द्विगुणम्:
Visheshana (Adjectival/विशेषण)
TypeAdjective
Rootद्वि + गुण (प्रातिपदिके; समास)
Formनपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; द्विगु-समास: ‘द्वौ गुणौ यस्य/द्विगुणम्’ = double; विशेषण (implied measure)
स्वेच्छयाaccording to one’s wish
स्वेच्छया:
Karana (Instrument/करण)
TypeNoun
Rootस्व + इच्छा (प्रातिपदिके; समास)
Formस्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: ‘स्वस्य इच्छा’ = one’s own wish; ‘according to one’s wish’
भवेत्should be
भवेत्:
Kriya (Predicate/क्रिया)
TypeVerb
Rootभू (धातु)
Formविधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; ‘should be’
Speaker

Lord Viṣṇu (in instruction to Garuḍa/Vainateya)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Aṅgula-based measurement (karāgra) as Vedic standard; proportional design (1/8) with sanctioned optionality (height doubled).

Vedantic Theme: Śāstra as pramāṇa guiding action; balance of niyama (rule) and yukti (contextual discretion) within dharma.

Application: Use a consistent unit system (aṅgula derived from fingertip) and apply proportional rules; where the text permits, adjust height to context without breaking core ratios.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: doorway/threshold within a sacred structure

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.47.14 (dvara-mana introduction); Garuda Purana 1.47 (subsequent verses on pedestal hollow and supports)

FAQs

This verse emphasizes that structural proportions—like a doorway—should be established using a Vedicly sanctioned unit of measure, indicating that sacred architecture is meant to follow dharmic standards rather than arbitrary sizing.

While much of the Garuda Purana is known for afterlife and rites, it also preserves practical dharma—here, correct proportional rules for construction/ritual spaces—reflecting how daily life and sacred order are linked.

If following traditional practice, use consistent traditional units and proportions when building or renovating prayer spaces or heritage-style homes, keeping the entrance proportionate and harmonized rather than purely aesthetic.

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