Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 21
Chapter 42 — प्रासादलक्षणकथनं
Prāsāda-lakṣaṇa-kathana: Characteristics of the Temple/Prāsāda
दिग्गजैः स्नाप्यमानान्तां घटेः साब्जां सुरूपिकां प्रासादस्य चतुर्थांशैः प्राकारस्योच्छ्रयो भवेत्
diggajaiḥ snāpyamānāntāṃ ghaṭeḥ sābjāṃ surūpikāṃ prāsādasya caturthāṃśaiḥ prākārasyocchrayo bhavet
അവസാനത്തിൽ, ദിക്കുകളിലെ ഗജങ്ങൾ അഭിഷേകം ചെയ്യുന്നതുപോലെ തോന്നുന്ന, താമരയോടുകൂടിയ സുന്ദരമായ ഘടം (കലശം) സ്ഥാപിക്കണം. പ്രാകാരത്തിന്റെ ഉയരം പ്രാസാദത്തിന്റെ ഉയരത്തിന്റെ നാലിലൊന്നായിരിക്കണം.
Lord Agni (in dialogue with Sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purana narration)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Temple elevation planning: prescribe prākāra (enclosure wall) height as one-fourth of the prāsāda; specify auspicious finial/kalasha motif with lotus and diggaja abhiṣeka imagery.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Prākāra-māna and Diggaja-snāna Kalaśa Motif","lookup_keywords":["prākāra-ucchraya","prāsāda-māna","kalaśa","diggaja","abja (lotus)"],"quick_summary":"Keep the enclosure wall proportionate—one-fourth the temple’s height—and crown the scheme with an auspicious lotus-bearing kalaśa visualized as bathed by the elephants of the directions."}
Alamkara Type: Rūpaka (as though being bathed)
Concept: Cosmic order (directions and their guardians) is mirrored in architectural proportion and ornament.
Application: Design precinct walls and crowning motifs to harmonize scale and invoke directional protection.
Khanda Section: Vastu-shastra (Prasada-Prakara-Lakshana / Temple & Fortification Architecture)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A temple precinct with an enclosure wall at one-fourth the temple height; atop a terminal point sits a lotus-bearing kalaśa, imagined as being bathed by eight directional elephants pouring water.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, stylized prāsāda with surrounding prākāra, eight diggajas in corners pouring streams toward a central lotus-kalaśa, rhythmic lines, deep ochres and greens.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central kalaśa with lotus in gold relief, diggajas symmetrically arranged, temple and wall rendered with ornate gold borders, luminous consecration feel.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, architectural proportion diagram showing prāsāda vs prākāra height (1:4), with an inset vignette of diggaja abhiṣeka over lotus-kalaśa, neat annotations.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, panoramic temple complex with measured wall height, delicate elephants at compass points pouring water toward a finial-kalaśa, fine landscape detailing."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Malkauns","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: दिग्गजैः=दिक्+गजैः; प्राकारस्योच्छ्रयः→प्राकारस्य उच्छ्रयः
Related Themes: Agni Purana 42 (prāsāda/prākāra/gopura proportions)
FAQs
It gives Vāstu-śāstra guidance: the prescribed finial motif (a lotus-bearing kalaśa, envisioned with dik-gajas performing abhiṣeka) and a precise proportional rule—prākāra height should be one-fourth of the prāsāda.
Beyond theology, it codifies practical architectural standards (ornamental iconography plus measurable ratios) used in temple and compound construction, showing the Agni Purana’s coverage of applied sciences like Vāstu.
The kalaśa-with-lotus and the dik-gaja abhiṣeka imagery sacralize the structure as ritually purified and auspicious, while correct proportions are treated as dharmic order in built space, supporting sanctity and merit for patrons and worshippers.