Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 31
Chapter 41 — शिलाविन्यासविधानं
The Procedure for Laying the Stones / Foundation Setting
पीठोत्तमञ्चोच्छ्रयेण प्रासादस्यार्धविस्तरात् पदहीनं मध्यमं स्यात् कनिष्ठं चोत्तमार्धतः
pīṭhottamañcocchrayeṇa prāsādasyārdhavistarāt padahīnaṃ madhyamaṃ syāt kaniṣṭhaṃ cottamārdhataḥ
पीठ व उत्तमञ्च यांच्या उंचीच्या मानाने प्रासादाचा विस्तार मानकतः अर्धा ठरतो. त्यात एक पद कमी केल्यास तो ‘मध्यम’ होतो; आणि ‘कनिष्ठ’ प्रकार ‘उत्तम’च्या अर्धा मानला जातो.
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha, standard Agni Purana frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Classifying temple size-types by proportional breadth derived from pitha/uttamanca measures and pada-based reduction.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Prasada breadth types (uttama, madhyama, kanishtha) by pada proportion","lookup_keywords":["pitha-ucchraya","uttamanca","prasada-ardha-vistara","pada","madhyama-kanishtha"],"quick_summary":"The standard breadth is set as half by the pitha/upper-course measure; reducing by one pada yields the medium type, while the small type is reckoned as half of the best standard."}
Concept: Saṃkhyā/pramāṇa: sacred architecture as applied mathematics with named typologies.
Application: When designing, fix a standard breadth, then derive variants by modular subtraction (pada) to maintain harmony.
Khanda Section: Vastu-shastra (Prasada-Lakshana / Temple Architecture)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A sthapati demonstrates a temple plan with a measuring grid of padas, showing three breadth options: uttama, madhyama (minus one pada), and kanishtha (half of uttama).","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, stylized architect with palm-leaf manuscript, ground grid of padas, three temple outlines in decreasing breadth, bold outlines, decorative borders","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, architect seated with measuring cord, three miniature temple models labeled uttama/madhyama/kanishtha, gold highlights on mouldings and shikhara, rich backdrop","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style instructional plate, clear geometric diagrams of breadth ratios, pitha and uttamanca indicated, neat annotations, subdued palette","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature of a royal workshop: architect presenting proportional drawings to patrons, fine grid lines, three scaled temple elevations, meticulous detail"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shuddha Sarang","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: pīṭha+uttama+añca+ucchrayeṇa→pīṭhottamañcocchrayeṇa; prāsādasya+ardha-…→prāsādasyārdha…; ca+uttama-…→cottama-…
Related Themes: Agni Purana 41 (pramāṇa, pīṭha measures, prāsāda typology)
FAQs
It defines a Vastu-shastra sizing rule for a prāsāda: the standard breadth is set at half-measure, with ‘medium’ obtained by reducing one pada (module), and ‘small’ derived as half of the ‘best’ standard.
Beyond mythology, the Agni Purana preserves applied technical knowledge—here, architectural metrology and typology (uttama–madhyama–kaniṣṭha) used by temple builders and planners.
In Purāṇic Vastu, correct proportioning of a shrine is treated as dharmic alignment—supporting a stable, auspicious abode for worship, which is believed to enhance the merit and efficacy of ritual practice performed there.