Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 33
नगरादिवास्तुकथनं
Discourse on Vāstu for Cities and Related Settlements
तस्माच्च नवमे भागे शुभकृन्निलयो मतः तन्मधे मण्डपः शस्तः समो वा द्विगुणायतः
tasmācca navame bhāge śubhakṛnnilayo mataḥ tanmadhe maṇḍapaḥ śastaḥ samo vā dviguṇāyataḥ
അതുകൊണ്ട് ഒൻപതാം വിഭാഗത്തിൽ ‘ശുഭകൃത്’ന്റെ നിവാസം എന്നു കരുതുന്നു. അതിന്റെ മദ്ധ്യത്തിൽ മണ്ഡപം ശ്രേഷ്ഠം—ചതുരമായോ അല്ലെങ്കിൽ നീളം ഇരട്ടിയായ ആയതാകൃതിയിലോ ആകാം.
Lord Agni (in instruction to the sages, traditionally Vasiṣṭha as listener)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"House/temple planning rule: assign the Śubhakṛt zone to the 9th division and place a maṇḍapa centrally with specified proportions (square or 1:2 rectangle).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Śubhakṛt-nilaya in navama-bhāga; maṇḍapa proportions","lookup_keywords":["navama-bhāga","śubhakṛt","nilaya","maṇḍapa","dviguṇāyata"],"quick_summary":"Locate the auspicious Śubhakṛt dwelling-zone in the ninth division; within it, design a central maṇḍapa either square or twice-long rectangular for balanced circulation and ritual use."}
Concept: Auspiciousness is engineered through proportion and correct spatial allotment.
Application: Use prescribed divisions and simple ratios (1:1, 1:2) to standardize maṇḍapa design in domestic/ritual architecture.
Khanda Section: Vastu-shastra (Architecture & Temple/House Planning)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A gridded site-plan shows the ninth division labeled Śubhakṛt; at its center a maṇḍapa is drawn in two options: square and 1:2 rectangle.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, architectural mandala with the 9th cell highlighted and labeled Śubhakṛt; central maṇḍapa drawn as square and rectangle; stylized architect-sage pointing; warm earthy tones.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-embellished diagram of a maṇḍapa plan; two inset shapes (square and 1:2 rectangle) with Sanskrit labels; decorative pillars and arch motifs around the frame.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clean technical illustration: grid division, navama-bhāga marked, maṇḍapa centered; dimension lines showing 1:1 and 1:2; neat callouts in Sanskrit.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, master builder with compass and straightedge drawing a pavilion plan; patron observes; two plan variants displayed on paper; fine architectural detailing."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तस्माच्च = तस्मात् + च; शुभकृन्निलयो = शुभकृत् + निलयः; तन्मधे = तत् + मध्ये; द्विगुणायतः = द्वि + गुण + आयतः
Related Themes: Agni Purana 105 (Vāstu divisions and maṇḍapa guidelines)
FAQs
It gives a Vastu-shastra rule for placing an auspicious zone (Śubhakṛt-nilaya) in the ninth division and specifies the recommended maṇḍapa plan: either square or a 1:2 rectangular hall.
Beyond mythology, the Agni Purana preserves applied technical knowledge—here, architectural planning and proportional design rules for ritual/assembly structures (maṇḍapas), showing its coverage of practical sciences like Vastu.
Correct placement and proportion of the maṇḍapa are treated as auspicious, aligning built space with benefic Vastu principles to support purity, successful rites, and favorable outcomes for the patron.