Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 4
Chapter 55 — Piṇḍikā-lakṣaṇa-kathana
Defining Features of the Pedestal/Base for Icons
समूलस्य विस्तारमग्रे कुर्यात्तदर्धतः विस्तारस्य तृतीयेन तोयमार्गन्तु कारयेत्
samūlasya vistāramagre kuryāttadardhataḥ vistārasya tṛtīyena toyamārgantu kārayet
മുൻഭാഗത്ത് മൂല അടിത്തറയുടെ വീതി പൂർണ്ണമായി തന്നെ ചെയ്യണം; പിന്നിൽ അത് അതിന്റെ പകുതിയാകണം. കൂടാതെ ജലമാർഗം/ചാലിന്റെ വീതി പ്രധാന വ്യാപ്തിയുടെ മൂന്നിലൊന്ന് ആക്കി ഒരുക്കണം.
Lord Agni (in instruction to the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Setting front and rear breadth proportions and specifying a water-channel width to manage abhiṣeka runoff and site drainage around the base.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Base breadth shaping and toya-mārga (water-channel) width","lookup_keywords":["samūla-vistāra","agre","toya-mārga","pramāṇa","adhiṣṭhāna"],"quick_summary":"Keep the front breadth equal to the full base-width, reduce the rear to half, and provide a water-channel of one-third the main breadth—supporting stable form and effective drainage."}
Concept: Ritual order (niyama) expressed as spatial order—measures that preserve śauca and durability.
Application: Implement prescribed tapering and channel sizing to prevent pooling and to maintain the sanctity and longevity of the structure.
Khanda Section: Vāstu-Śāstra (Architecture, site-planning, measurements)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A temple base shown in plan: full width at the front, tapering to half at the back, with a clearly marked water-channel one-third the breadth.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, stylized plan-view of temple base with tapering geometry, blue-green water-channel, artisans marking one-third width, traditional flat color fields","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, ornate temple base with gold accents, highlighted front breadth and rear taper, water-channel rendered as decorative band, rich reds and gold","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, precise architectural drawing with proportional annotations (front full, rear half, channel one-third), clean lines and instructional clarity","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtyard with channel carrying abhiṣeka water, architect pointing to tapering base, detailed stone textures and flowing water"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Arabhi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: कुर्यात्तदर्धतः → कुर्यात् + तदर्धतः; तोयमार्गन्तु → तोयमार्गम् + तु.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 55.3 (praṇāla outlet rule); Agni Purana 55.1-55.2 (piṇḍikā and mekhalā proportions)
FAQs
Vāstu-vidyā: it gives proportional rules for a layout—front breadth equals the base-width, the rear is half, and the drainage/water-course (toya-mārga) is set at one-third of the main breadth.
Alongside theology, the Agni Purana preserves applied sciences like Vāstu—precise construction ratios and infrastructure planning (notably drainage), showing its wide, practical scope.
In Purāṇic Vāstu, correct proportioning and proper water-drainage are treated as dharmic building practice—supporting cleanliness, stability, and auspiciousness of the dwelling or sacred structure.