Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 36
Chapter 64 — कूपादिप्रतिष्ठाकथनं
The Account of the Consecration of Wells and Other Water-Works
वाप्यां पञ्चदशकरं पुष्करिण्यां तु विंशतिकं तडागे पञ्चविंशाख्यं जलमध्ये निवेशयेत्
vāpyāṃ pañcadaśakaraṃ puṣkariṇyāṃ tu viṃśatikaṃ taḍāge pañcaviṃśākhyaṃ jalamadhye niveśayet
വാപിയിൽ പതിനഞ്ച് ഹസ്തം, പുഷ്കരിണിയിൽ ഇരുപത് ഹസ്തം, തടാഗത്തിൽ ഇരുപത്തിയഞ്ച് എന്ന് അറിയപ്പെടുന്നതു—ഇവയെ ജലത്തിന്റെ മദ്ധ്യത്തിൽ സ്ഥാപിക്കണം.
Lord Agni (in instruction to sage Vasiṣṭha, as per the common Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Set proportional standards (hasta-measures) for central installation/marker in different water-works—stepwell, pond, and tank—ensuring symmetry and ritual-structural correctness.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Jala-śilpa measures: central installation lengths for vāpī, puṣkariṇī, taḍāga","lookup_keywords":["vāpī","puṣkariṇī","taḍāga","hasta-māna","jala-madhya"],"quick_summary":"For water-reservoir works, place the central element in the middle of the water with standard lengths: 15 hasta (vāpī), 20 (puṣkariṇī), 25 (taḍāga)."}
Concept: Applied sacred engineering: proportion and centering as dhārmic order in built environment.
Application: Use the specified hasta modules when designing/marking water-reservoir centers for stability, symmetry, and ritual compliance.
Khanda Section: Vāstu-śāstra / Jala-śilpa (Water-reservoir measurements and installation)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: śānta
Type: Tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Three water structures shown side-by-side: a stepwell (vāpī), a lotus pond (puṣkariṇī), and a large tank (taḍāga), each with a central marker/pillar placed in the middle and annotated with 15/20/25 hasta.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, stylized stepwell with descending steps, lotus pond with blooming lotuses, broad tank with rippling water; central pillar in each, Sanskrit numerals/labels subtly integrated, earthy palette.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, decorative lotus motifs and gold accents on water ripples and central marker, three-panel composition for vāpī/puṣkariṇī/taḍāga, ornate borders.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting with diagrammatic clarity: measured lines and hasta ticks, cross-sectional view of stepwell, plan view of pond and tank, central placement emphasized, clean annotations.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, landscaped garden setting with a pond and tank, architectural stepwell, attendants measuring with rods, central marker being placed, fine detail and perspective."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Hamsadhwani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पञ्चविंशाख्यम् = पञ्चविंश-आख्यम्; जलमध्ये = जल-मध्ये.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 64 (jala-śilpa and installation measures around yūpa/central placements)
FAQs
It gives proportional measurements (15/20/25 hands) for installing a central feature/marker in different types of water-reservoirs—vāpī, puṣkariṇī, and taḍāga—specifically to be placed at the water’s center.
Beyond theology, it preserves applied civil-architectural standards (vāstu + jala-śilpa), showing the text’s coverage of practical infrastructure like stepwells, ponds, and tanks with precise measurements.
Correctly constructing and proportioning water-reservoirs is treated as a meritorious, purifying public good (dharma), supporting ritual cleanliness and community welfare—thus accruing religious merit through right building practice.