Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 12
Chapter 42 — प्रासादलक्षणकथनं
Prāsāda-lakṣaṇa-kathana: Characteristics of the Temple/Prāsāda
शिखरस्य तु तुर्येण भ्रमणं परिकल्पयेत् शिखरस्य चतुर्थेन व्यग्रतो मुखमण्डपं
śikharasya tu turyeṇa bhramaṇaṃ parikalpayet śikharasya caturthena vyagrato mukhamaṇḍapaṃ
ശിഖരത്തിന്റെ ചതുർത്ഥാംശമാപത്തിൽ ഭ്രമണപഥം (പ്രദക്ഷിണാമാർഗം) നിർണ്ണയിക്കണം. ശിഖരത്തിന്റെ ചതുർത്ഥാംശത്തിന് തുല്യമായി മുൻവശത്തേക്ക് നീളുന്ന മുഖമണ്ഡപവും ഒരുക്കണം.
Lord Agni (in instruction to sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Specifies proportional sizing for the circumambulatory passage and the front hall using the śikhara as the reference unit (each at one-fourth), guiding layout planning around the sanctum and approach axis.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Formula","entry_title":"Śikhara-caturthāṃśa for Bhramaṇa and Mukhamaṇḍapa","lookup_keywords":["śikhara","bhramaṇa","pradakṣiṇā-patha","mukhamaṇḍapa","caturtha-bhāga"],"quick_summary":"Set the circumambulatory passage at one-fourth of the śikhara measure; likewise set the projecting front hall (mukhamaṇḍapa) to one-fourth of the śikhara, extending outward on the front axis."}
Concept: Built space is shaped to enable ritual action (pradakṣiṇā and darśana) through correctly proportioned circulation and approach.
Application: Allocate adequate pradakṣiṇā-patha width and a properly scaled mukhamaṇḍapa to support congregational flow and ritual sequencing.
Khanda Section: Vastu-shastra / Mandira-nirmana (Temple Architecture and Proportions)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A temple plan showing the garbhagṛha, a surrounding circumambulatory corridor sized to one-fourth of the śikhara measure, and a projecting mukhamaṇḍapa on the front axis, all annotated with fractional ratios.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, top-down temple plan with bold outlines, pradakṣiṇā corridor encircling sanctum, mukhamaṇḍapa projecting forward, ratio marks ‘1/4’ stylized, earthy palette and temple motifs.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, temple façade with emphasized mukhamaṇḍapa and śikhara, gold-leaf accents on architectural edges, subtle inset diagram showing 1/4 proportions, ornate framing.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional plan-and-elevation hybrid: corridor width and hall projection labeled as caturthāṃśa of śikhara, fine linework and gentle colors.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, architect presenting a measured plan to a patron; the plan clearly shows circumambulatory ring and projecting hall, delicate architectural detailing and courtly setting."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Hamsadhwani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: मुखमण्डपं = मुख-मण्डपम्
Related Themes: Agni Purana 42 (śikhara-based proportional system; maṇḍapa and circulation prescriptions)
FAQs
It gives a vāstu (architectural) proportional rule: both the circumambulatory passage (bhramaṇa/pradakṣiṇā-patha) and the front hall (mukhamaṇḍapa) are to be set at one-fourth the measure of the śikhara, guiding practical temple layout.
Beyond theology, the Agni Purāṇa preserves applied sciences like vāstu-śāstra—here, precise dimensional planning for temple components—showing its wide coverage of ritual space design alongside other disciplines.
Correctly proportioned pradakṣiṇā space and entrance structures support proper worship flow and circumambulation, traditionally believed to enhance ritual efficacy (puṇya) and maintain sanctity through orderly sacred architecture.