Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 53
Rājanīti (Statecraft): Ṣaḍvidha-bala, Vyūha-vidhāna, and Strategic Warfare
अतिक्रान्तस्तु पक्षाभ्यां त्रयो ऽन्ये तद्विपर्यये पक्षोरस्यैर् अतिक्रान्तः प्रतिष्ठो ऽन्यो विपर्ययः
atikrāntastu pakṣābhyāṃ trayo 'nye tadviparyaye pakṣorasyair atikrāntaḥ pratiṣṭho 'nyo viparyayaḥ
(രേഖ/അളവ്) രണ്ട് പക്ഷങ്ങളെ (പക്ഷ) അതിക്രമിക്കുമ്പോൾ അതിനെ ‘അതിക്രാന്ത’ എന്നു പറയുന്നു. ആ അവസ്ഥയുടെ വിപരീതത്തിൽ നിന്ന് മറ്റുമൂന്ന് ഭേദങ്ങൾ ഉണ്ടാകും. (രേഖ/അളവ്) പക്ഷങ്ങളെയും ‘ഉരസ്’ (വക്ഷസ്ഥലം) നെയും അതിക്രമിക്കുമ്പോൾ അത് ‘പ്രതിഷ്ഠ’; അതിന്റെ വിപരീതത്തിൽ നിന്ന് മറ്റൊരു ഭേദം ഉദ്ഭവിക്കുന്നു.
Lord Agni (in instruction to the sage Vasiṣṭha, as per the Agni Purana’s standard dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Use proportional canons based on body/flank/chest exceedance to classify measurement-lines—applied to iconometry (mūrti-māna) and architectural modules.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Atikrānta and Pratiṣṭha: proportional types by exceeding flanks and chest","lookup_keywords":["atikrānta","pratiṣṭha (māna)","pakṣa","uras","proportion-canon"],"quick_summary":"Defines proportional categories: atikrānta when a measure exceeds both flanks; additional types arise by reversal; pratiṣṭha when exceeding flanks and chest, with a reverse counterpart—used to standardize design and iconometric layouts."}
Concept: Pramāṇa (right measure) as dharma of craft—order through proportion.
Application: Apply named proportion-types to ensure repeatable, tradition-consistent icon/structure dimensions.
Khanda Section: Vastu-shastra / Shilpa-shastra (Architectural measurements and proportional canons)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A master architect/icon-maker draws a proportional grid on a board, marking flanks (pakṣa) and chest (uras) lines; two example figures show atikrānta and pratiṣṭha measures, with reversed variants indicated.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, sthapati teaching with palm-leaf and measuring cord, large diagram of human-form grid with pakṣa and uras marked, earthy palette, temple workshop setting","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, sthapati seated with golden stylus and measuring rod, two iconometric diagrams framed with gold borders, rich red background, sacred craft atmosphere","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear technical illustration: grid, labeled checkpoints (pakṣa, uras), arrows showing exceedance for atikrānta/pratiṣṭha and reverse, fine lines and legible annotations","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, atelier of craftsmen, architect presenting proportion scrolls, detailed instruments (ruler, cord), two figure-diagrams with exceedance lines, refined interior architecture"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":null,"pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: atikrāntas tu → atikrāntaḥ tu; trayo 'nye → trayaḥ anye; tadviparyaye → tat-viparyaye; pakṣorasyair → pakṣa-urasyaiḥ (o + u sandhi; visarga→r before vowel); pratiṣṭho 'nyo → pratiṣṭhaḥ anyaḥ.
Related Themes: Agni Purana Vāstu/Śilpa chapters on māna-pramāṇa and mūrti-lakṣaṇa (surrounding 241 context as given)
FAQs
It defines technical categories of architectural/śilpa measurement—how a reference line or proportion is classified when it ‘exceeds’ specific body-like spans (flanks, chest), and how inverse (viparyaya) categories are derived.
Beyond theology, it preserves specialized Vastu/Śilpa terminology for proportional standards (pramāṇa) used in design—showing the Purana’s role as a compendium of technical sciences alongside ritual and doctrine.
Correct proportional standards are traditionally held to ensure auspiciousness and stability in sacred and domestic constructions; following such canons is linked with merit (puṇya) through harmonizing built space with dharmic order.