Agni Purana — Vyavahara, Shloka 41
Divya-pramāṇa-kathana
Explanation of Divine Proofs / Ordeals and Evidentiary Procedure
स तमादाय सप्तैव मण्डलानि शतैर् व्रजेत् षोडशाङ्गुलकं ज्ञेयं मण्डलं तावदन्तरम्
sa tamādāya saptaiva maṇḍalāni śatair vrajet ṣoḍaśāṅgulakaṃ jñeyaṃ maṇḍalaṃ tāvadantaram
ആ മാനത്തെ അടിസ്ഥാനമാക്കി നൂറുകളായി കണക്കാക്കി ഏഴ് മണ്ഡലങ്ങൾ വരെ മുന്നേറണം. ഒരു മണ്ഡലം പതിനാറ് അങ്കുലം എന്നു അറിയണം; മണ്ഡലങ്ങൾക്കിടയിലെ അന്തരവും അത്രതന്നെ ആയിരിക്കണം।
Lord Agni (teaching to Vasiṣṭha, the principal interlocutor of the Agni Purāṇa)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Apply a standardized unit (16 aṅgulas per maṇḍala) and equal inter-maṇḍala spacing to scale layouts across a grid up to seven hundred-fold progression—useful for planning ritual diagrams, site layouts, or measured constructions.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Maṇḍala Measure: 16 Aṅgula with Equal Intervals (Up to Seven Hundreds)","lookup_keywords":["maṇḍala","aṅgula","measurement","interval","vāstu"],"quick_summary":"Defines a maṇḍala as 16 aṅgulas and prescribes equal spacing between maṇḍalas, enabling scalable, modular layout planning up to seven sets of hundreds."}
Concept: Sacred order is expressed through measure (māna) and repeatable modules; space becomes intelligible and sanctifiable through proportion.
Application: Use consistent units and equal spacing to avoid cumulative error in large layouts; treat measurement as a ritual-ethical discipline (accuracy as dharma of craft).
Khanda Section: Vāstu-śāstra / Maṇḍala-lakṣaṇa (Sacred geometry and measurement for layouts)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A measured grid of mandalas is drawn on the ground with a measuring rod; each mandala is 16 aṅgulas with equal spacing, expanding in orderly rows up to large counts.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural; artisans drawing a geometric grid with white lines on red earth, measuring rod marked in aṅgulas, seven grouped sections indicated, temple courtyard ambiance, decorative borders.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore; symmetrical sacred diagram with gold accents on key nodes, measuring tools and palm-leaf notes, rich colors, central grid emphasized as auspicious geometry.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore; clean instructional scene—architect-priest demonstrating 16-aṅgula module, labeled intervals, assistants holding cord and rod, soft palette and precise linework.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature; detailed draughtsman scene with grid on parchment and on ground, rulers and cords, figures in profile discussing measurements, architectural backdrop with fine ornament."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"didactic","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: tam+ādāya → tam ādāya; sapta+eva → sapta eva; śatair → śataiḥ (visarga/sandhi in recitation); ṣoḍaśāṅgulakaṃ → ṣoḍaśa-aṅgulakam; tāvadantaram → tāvat antaram.
Related Themes: Agni Purana vāstu/maṇḍala-lakṣaṇa chapters (site measurement and grids); Agni Purana śilpa and prāsāda-lakṣaṇa sections (proportion systems)
FAQs
It defines a technical unit for sacred layouts: one maṇḍala is measured as sixteen aṅgulas, and the spacing (antara) between mandalas is prescribed to match that standard measure.
Beyond mythology, the Agni Purāṇa codifies applied sciences like Vāstu-śāstra—here giving concrete, repeatable measurement rules for constructing ritual diagrams and architectural/altar layouts.
Accurate maṇḍala measurement is treated as essential for ritual correctness (śuddhi and siddhi): proper proportions ensure the rite is performed in harmony with sacred order, supporting auspicious and intended results.