Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 9
सकलादिमन्त्रोद्धारः (Sakalādi-mantra-uddhāra) — Chapter Colophon/Transition
वसुदेवसुतैः साब्जैस्तिदलैः पादपट्टिका तदूर्ध्वे वेदिका देया भगमात्रप्रमाणतः
vasudevasutaiḥ sābjaistidalaiḥ pādapaṭṭikā tadūrdhve vedikā deyā bhagamātrapramāṇataḥ
പാദപട്ടിക (അടിത്തറ) വസുദേവ-സുതന്മാരുടെ ചിഹ്നങ്ങളോടും ത്രിദള കമലം (സാബ്ജ) മോട്ടിഫോടും കൂടി നിർമ്മിക്കണം. അതിന്റെ മുകളിൽ, ‘ഭഗ’ മാത്രയുടെ അളവുപ്രകാരം വേദിക (വേദി-മഞ്ചം) സ്ഥാപിക്കണം.
Lord Agni (in instruction to the sage Vasiṣṭha, as the Agni Purana’s primary narrator)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Guidance for constructing the pādapaṭṭikā (foot-plinth) with specified motifs and placing the vedikā above it using bhaga-based proportional measurement.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Pādapaṭṭikā and Vedikā Proportion (Bhaga-mātra)","lookup_keywords":["pādapaṭṭikā","vedikā","bhaga-pramāṇa","tridala-kamala","motif sons of Vāsudeva"],"quick_summary":"The plinth is to be ornamented with prescribed iconographic/motif elements including a tri-petalled lotus; above it the altar-platform is set out to a standard proportional unit (one bhaga), ensuring canonical measure and visual harmony."}
Concept: Ritual efficacy and auspiciousness are supported by correct proportion (pramāṇa) and canonical sequencing of structural layers (plinth → platform).
Application: In planning an altar/temple base, fix a modular unit (bhaga) and keep ornament and measure consistent to avoid structural and ritual ‘doṣa’ (fault).
Khanda Section: Vastu-vidya / Mandira-vedi-nirmana (Temple architecture and altar measurements)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Architect-priest oversees construction of a plinth decorated with tri-petalled lotus motifs and guardian/associated figures; above it an altar-platform is measured out precisely to one bhaga unit.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, craftsmen carving a plinth with lotus tridala patterns, priest holding measuring cord, vedikā outline above, earthy tones, stylized architectural bands and floral motifs","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, close-up of ornate plinth with lotus relief highlighted in gold, vedikā platform above with symmetrical borders, ceremonial tools (measuring rod, cord), rich reds and greens, temple aura","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, technical scene with measured grid and bhaga module indicated, plinth (pādapaṭṭikā) and platform (vedikā) in section view, fine lines, instructional clarity","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, master builder and Brahmin consultant measuring a stone base with cords, artisans chiseling lotus motifs, architectural precision, detailed textiles and tools, calm workshop narrative"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: vasudevasutaiḥ → vasudeva-sutaiḥ; sābjaistidalaiḥ → sa-abjaiḥ + tri-dalaiḥ (sandhi: a+i→ai); tadūrdhve → tat-ūrdhve; bhagamātrapramāṇataḥ treated as adverbial -tas formation.
Related Themes: Agni Purana: vastu/mandira-vidhi and pramāṇa discussions near 317.9–317.11
FAQs
It gives a Vāstu-śāstra instruction for constructing a deity’s base: the foot-plinth is to be ornamented with a lotus (three petals) and arranged with the Vāsudeva-related deities, and the altar-platform above it must follow a fixed proportional unit (one bhaga).
Beyond mythology, the Agni Purana preserves practical architectural canons—precise terms (pādapaṭṭikā, vedikā) and proportional measurement (bhaga)—showing its role as a manual for temple/ritual construction alongside theology.
Correct proportional construction and iconographic placement are treated as dhārmic correctness in worship spaces; accuracy in the altar/base layout supports proper consecration and is believed to enhance the ritual’s purity and merit.