Agni Purana — Kosha, Shloka 8
Bhūmi–Vana–Auṣadhi–Ādi Vargāḥ (भूमिवनौषध्यादिवर्गाः) — Lexical Groups on Earth, Settlements, Architecture, Forests, Materia Medica, and Fauna
चतुःशालं मुनीनान्तु पर्णशालोटजो ऽस्त्रियां चैत्यमायतनन्तुल्ये वाजिशाला तु मन्दुरा
catuḥśālaṃ munīnāntu parṇaśāloṭajo 'striyāṃ caityamāyatanantulye vājiśālā tu mandurā
សម្រាប់ព្រះមុនី/អ្នកប្រាជ្ញ លំនៅដែលមានសាលាបួន ហៅ «catuḥśālā»។ ខ្ទមស្លឹកហៅ «parṇaśālā» (ក៏ហៅ «oṭaja»)។ ក្នុងភេទស្រី ស្ថានបូជាដែលស្មើនឹង «caitya» ហៅ «āyatana»។ ហើយ «vājiśālā» គឺ «mandurā» (គោលដៅសម្រាប់សេះ/កន្លែងចងសេះ)។
Lord Agni (narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Architectural terminology for hermitages and functional buildings: four-hall residence, leaf-hut, sanctuary/āyatana, and horse-stable.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Building types: catuḥśālā, parṇaśālā/oṭaja, āyatana (caitya-like), vājiśālā/mandurā","lookup_keywords":["catuḥśālā","parṇaśālā","oṭaja","āyatana","mandurā"],"quick_summary":"Defines residential and institutional structures—from ascetic dwellings to sanctuaries and stables—useful for planning āśramas, temple precincts, and royal infrastructure."}
Concept: Appropriate habitat for life-stages and functions—ascetic simplicity (parṇaśālā) alongside ordered institutions (āyatana) and royal needs (mandurā).
Application: Design āśrama compounds with simple huts and a central hall-plan; in temple/royal precincts, allocate sanctuaries and stables with clear functional separation.
Khanda Section: Vāstu-śāstra (Architecture & Building Terminology)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"An āśrama setting: a catuḥśālā residence with four halls around a courtyard, nearby parṇaśālā/oṭaja leaf-huts under trees, a small caitya-like āyatana shrine, and a vājiśālā/mandurā stable with horses.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, forest hermitage with leaf-huts and a four-hall pavilion, small shrine glowing, horses in a stable at the edge, bold outlines and earthy greens.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central āyatana shrine with gold halo-like ornamentation, flanked by catuḥśālā pavilion and parṇaśālā huts, stable vignette with gold detailing on harnesses.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, architectural clarity: plan-like depiction of catuḥśālā courtyard, separate panels for parṇaśālā, āyatana, and mandurā, fine linework and soft palette.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed forest-āśrama scene with pavilions and huts, a small shrine, horses tethered near a stable, delicate foliage and architectural rendering."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Hamsadhwani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: मुनीनान्तु = मुनीनाम् + तु (m + t sandhi). पर्णशालोटजो = पर्णशालः + उटजः (visarga elision before vowel; resolved). उटजो ऽस्त्रियां = उटजः + अस्त्रियाम् (visarga elision; resolved). चैत्यमायतनन्तुल्ये = चैत्यम् + आयतनम् + तुल्ये (m + ā; m + t sandhi; resolved).
Related Themes: Agni Purana Vāstu/prāsāda materials (āyatana/caitya terminology); Agni Purana 362 (architectural lexicon)
FAQs
It imparts Vāstu-śāstra/architectural nomenclature—precise terms for types of dwellings (catuḥśālā, parṇaśālā/oṭaja), sanctified structures (caitya/āyatana), and functional buildings (vājiśālā/mandurā).
By cataloging specialized vocabulary across domains—ascetic residences, sacred architecture, and animal housing—it demonstrates the Purana’s compendium-style coverage beyond theology into technical classification and applied knowledge.
Correct identification and designation of sacred spaces (caitya/āyatana) supports proper ritual usage and respectful maintenance of holy places, which is traditionally linked with merit (puṇya) through orderly worship and preservation of dharmic institutions.