Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 45
The Description of the Sarvatobhadra Maṇḍala (सर्वतोभद्रमण्डलकथनम्)
षोडशाब्जान्यथो वीथी चतुर्विंशतिपङ्कजं वीथीपद्मानि द्वात्रिंशत् पङ्क्तिवीथिकजान्यथ
ṣoḍaśābjānyatho vīthī caturviṃśatipaṅkajaṃ vīthīpadmāni dvātriṃśat paṅktivīthikajānyatha
വീഥിയുടെ അളവ് പതിനാറ് ‘അബ്ജ’ (പദ്മ-ഘടകങ്ങൾ). ചതുര്വിംശതി തരത്തിൽ ഇരുപത്തിനാല് പങ്കജ-ഘടകങ്ങൾ. വീഥി-പദ്മത്തിന്റെ അളവ് മുപ്പത്തിരണ്ട്; പങ്ക്തി-വീഥികയ്ക്കും പദ്മ-ഘടകങ്ങൾ അതുപോലെ നിർദ്ദേശിച്ചിരിക്കുന്നു।
Lord Agni (in instruction to the sage Vasiṣṭha, Agni Purāṇa’s primary didactic frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Standardizing corridor/aisle and layout module sizes using lotus-units (abja/padma) for different plan-types (vīthī, caturviṃśati, vīthī-padma, paṅkti-vīthikā).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Vīthī and Padma Unit Measures: 16/24/32 Lotus-Units by Plan-Type","lookup_keywords":["vīthī","abja","padma","caturviṃśati","paṅkti-vīthikā"],"quick_summary":"Defines modular measures in lotus-units: vīthī = 16, caturviṃśati type = 24, vīthī-padma = 32, and corresponding lotus-unit specification for paṅkti-vīthikā—supporting consistent proportional planning."}
Concept: Order and beauty arise from repeatable modules; sacred architecture uses symbolic units (padma/abja) to maintain proportional harmony.
Application: When drafting or scaling a plan, choose the plan-type and apply its lotus-unit count to set corridor widths/lengths and related grid dimensions consistently.
Khanda Section: Vāstu-Śāstra (Architecture & Temple-Planning)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"An architect’s board shows four plan labels with lotus icons: vīthī (16), caturviṃśati (24), vīthī-padma (32), and paṅkti-vīthikā with its lotus-unit count; measuring cords and a grid are displayed.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, stylized lotus icons with numbers 16/24/32, craftsmen holding measuring cords, a large grid-plan backdrop, bold outlines and temple decorative frame","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, gold-leaf lotus motifs marking each unit set, architect presenting a measurement tablet, rich ornamentation, clear numeric inscriptions","mysore_prompt":"Mysore, clean instructional plate: lotus-unit counters, neat Devanagari labels, precise grid and corridor depiction, subdued colors for readability","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, atelier scene with architect and scribes, detailed measurement chart with lotus symbols and numbers, fine instruments, elegant interior setting"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Arabhi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: षोडशाब्जानि = षोडश + अब्जानि. अथो = अथ + उ. चतुर्विंशतिपङ्कजं = चतुर्विंशति + पङ्कजम्. पङ्क्तिवीथिकजानि = पङ्क्ति + वीथिका + जानि.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Vāstu passages defining padma/abja units, vīthī types, and mandala classifications
FAQs
It gives vāstu-technical specifications for corridor (vīthī) types by fixing their standard lengths in lotus-module counts (abja/padma/paṅkaja), used to proportion temple passages and subsidiary aisles.
Beyond mythology, it preserves applied architectural standards—precise modular measurements and typologies—showing the text’s coverage of practical sciences like Vāstu-Śāstra alongside ritual and theology.
Correct proportional design in sacred architecture is treated as dharmic order (ṛta) embodied in space; building according to prescribed measures supports proper worship-flow, sanctity, and the merit (puṇya) of constructing or sponsoring a temple.