Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 47
The Description of the Sarvatobhadra Maṇḍala (सर्वतोभद्रमण्डलकथनम्)
द्विचतुःषड्द्वारसिद्ध्यै चतुर्दिक्षु विलोपयेत् पञ्च त्रीण्येककं वाह्ये शोभोपद्वारसिद्धये
dvicatuḥṣaḍdvārasiddhyai caturdikṣu vilopayet pañca trīṇyekakaṃ vāhye śobhopadvārasiddhaye
दोन, चार किंवा सहा द्वारांच्या योजनेची सिद्धी व्हावी म्हणून चारही दिशांत (नियत भाग) विलोप करावा. शोभा वाढविणाऱ्या उपद्वारांच्या सिद्धीसाठी बाह्य बाजूस पाच, तीन किंवा एक (एकक) विलोप करावा.
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Configuring doorway counts (2/4/6) by prescribed omissions in cardinal directions; setting auxiliary/beautifying sub-gates by omitting specific outer units (5/3/1) to maintain proportional aesthetics.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Dvāra-saṅkhyā-siddhi by directional and outer-unit omissions","lookup_keywords":["dvāra","dvicatuḥṣaṭ (2-4-6)","vilope","upadvāra","śobhā"],"quick_summary":"Gives a rule-set for achieving plans with 2/4/6 main doorways through directional omissions, and for placing beautifying auxiliary doors by omitting 5/3/1 units on the outer edge."}
Concept: Number and direction as determinants of auspicious architectural function; beauty (śobhā) is engineered through rule-governed subtraction.
Application: When drafting a plan, decide doorway count first, then apply the omission rules to keep the perimeter rhythm consistent and avoid irregular spacing.
Khanda Section: Vāstu-Śāstra (Architecture & Mandala/Plan Prescriptions)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A perimeter grid where different doorway schemes (2, 4, 6) are shown by removing/blanking specific segments on each cardinal side; smaller auxiliary doors appear after omitting 5/3/1 outer units.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural depiction of a sthapati marking omissions on a mandala with charcoal; four directions emphasized with dikpāla symbols; main doors bold, auxiliary doors smaller and decorative.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore-style framed diagram with gold highlighting on main door thresholds; outer-edge units labeled 5/3/1 omissions; ornamental borders echo gateway śobhā.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore instructional plate: three side-by-side plan variants labeled 2-door, 4-door, 6-door; clear omitted blocks; auxiliary doors indicated with fine ornament lines.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Courtly scene: architect shows three alternative doorway layouts to a ruler; delicate grid, erased/blanked segments; attendants hold measuring cords and inkpots."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: śobhopadvārasiddhaye = śobhā + upa + dvāra + siddhaye (ā+u→o). dvicatuḥṣaḍdvāra- is a multi-member tatpuruṣa.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 29.46 (vīthī and dvāra-śobhā context); Agni Purana 29.48 (dvāra ornament members/upaśobhikā); Agni Purana 29.50 (mandala cell arrangement)
FAQs
It gives a Vāstu-technical rule for planning entrances: to achieve correct layouts with 2/4/6 main doors and to place aesthetically pleasing subsidiary doors, specific counts of exterior “units/parts” are to be left out (omitted) in directional/exterior segments.
Beyond theology, the Agni Purāṇa preserves applied sciences like Vāstu—codifying measurable, design-oriented prescriptions (door counts, directional placement, and modular omissions) used in house/temple planning.
In Vāstu thought, correct directional and proportional placement of entrances is tied to harmony, auspiciousness, and the unobstructed flow of beneficial influences—supporting prosperity and reducing inauspicious results in a consecrated or domestic space.