Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 22
Chapter 42 — प्रासादलक्षणकथनं
Prāsāda-lakṣaṇa-kathana: Characteristics of the Temple/Prāsāda
प्रासादात् पादहीनस्तु गोपुरस्योच्छ्रयो भवेत् पञ्चहस्तस्य देवस्य एकहस्ता तु पीठिका
prāsādāt pādahīnastu gopurasyocchrayo bhavet pañcahastasya devasya ekahastā tu pīṭhikā
ഗോപുരത്തിന്റെ (ദ്വാരശിഖരത്തിന്റെ) ഉയരം പ്രാസാദത്തിന്റെ ഉയരത്തിൽ നിന്ന് ഒരു പാദം (നാലിലൊന്ന്) കുറവായിരിക്കണം. അഞ്ചു ഹസ്ത അളവുള്ള ദേവവിഗ്രഹത്തിന് പീഠിക ഒരു ഹസ്ത ഉയരമായിരിക്കണം.
Lord Agni (instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha in encyclopedic śāstric topics)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Set relative heights of gopura and prāsāda; determine pedestal height based on deity image height for stable installation and correct visual hierarchy.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Formula","entry_title":"Gopura–Prāsāda Height Relation and Pīṭhikā-māna","lookup_keywords":["gopura-ucchraya","prāsāda-ucchraya","pāda-māna","pīṭhikā","pratimā-māna"],"quick_summary":"Keep the gopura slightly lower than the main temple superstructure (one pāda less), and size the pedestal proportionally—e.g., for a 5-hasta image, a 1-hasta pedestal."}
Concept: Māna (measure) preserves visual and ritual hierarchy—gateway serves, sanctum presides; pedestal supports presence.
Application: Use proportional rules to avoid architectural dominance inversion (oversized gopura) and to ensure safe, aesthetically correct image installation.
Khanda Section: Vāstu-śāstra / Prāsāda–Gopura–Mūrti-māna (Temple architecture and iconometric measurements)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A temple elevation shows the gopura slightly lower than the prāsāda; beside it, a sculptor measures a five-hasta deity image and sets a one-hasta pedestal for installation.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, simplified temple silhouette with relative heights, artisan with measuring rod near a deity image on pedestal, muted palette and clear architectural outlines.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, temple gateway and sanctum with gold accents, deity image on ornate pedestal, measuring marks subtly indicated, rich decorative framing.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional plate: prāsāda and gopura height comparison, separate panel showing 5-hasta image and 1-hasta pedestal, crisp lines and light gold.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, architectural drawing-like scene with craftsmen, careful measurement of statue and pedestal, detailed stone textures and proportional composition."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पादहीनस्तु→पादहीनः तु; गोपुरस्योच्छ्रयः→गोपुरस्य उच्छ्रयः
Related Themes: Agni Purana 42 (prāsāda/gopura/pratimā-māna sequence)
FAQs
It gives vāstu and iconometric proportion rules: the gopura’s height should be a quarter-measure less than the main temple (prāsāda), and a five-cubit deity-image should have a one-cubit pedestal.
Beyond theology, the Agni Purana preserves applied technical standards for sacred construction—precise proportional canons for gateways and image pedestals—showing it functions as a compendium of śilpa/vāstu knowledge.
Correct proportions are treated as dhārmic craftsmanship: building and installing sacred structures according to śāstric measure supports ritual efficacy, aesthetic harmony, and merit (puṇya) for patrons and builders.