Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 23
Chapter 42 — प्रासादलक्षणकथनं
Prāsāda-lakṣaṇa-kathana: Characteristics of the Temple/Prāsāda
गारुडं मण्डपञ्चाग्रे एकं भौमादिधाम च कुर्याद्धि प्रतिमायान्तु दिक्षु चाष्टमासु चोपरि
gāruḍaṃ maṇḍapañcāgre ekaṃ bhaumādidhāma ca kuryāddhi pratimāyāntu dikṣu cāṣṭamāsu copari
मंडपाच्या पञ्चाग्र (पाच भागांच्या अग्रभाग) समोर एक गारुडचिन्ह/प्रतिमा करावी. तसेच भौम इत्यादी धाम (स्थाने)ही विन्यस्त करावीत. खरेच, आठही दिशांत आणि वरही प्रतिमा विधिपूर्वक स्थापाव्यात.
Lord Agni (in dialogue tradition, instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Shilpa","secondary_vidya":"Vastu","practical_application":"Plan iconographic placement in mandapa frontage: install Garuḍa emblem at the fore; arrange bhūmi and directional stations; place icons in eight directions and above, creating a complete spatial mandala.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Maṇḍapa-agre Garuḍa-sthāpana and Dik-nyāsa of Icons","lookup_keywords":["Garuḍa-sthāpana","maṇḍapa","dik-nyāsa","aṣṭa-dik","bhūmi-sthāna"],"quick_summary":"Install Garuḍa at the mandapa’s front as a key emblem, then complete the spatial layout by placing icons across the eight directions and in the upper tier, integrating terrestrial and directional stations."}
Concept: Dik-nyāsa externalizes a mandala: the deity’s presence is stabilized by ordering space horizontally (eight directions) and vertically (above).
Application: During temple layout and decoration, use directional placements to guide circumambulation, sightlines, and ritual movement while maintaining symbolic completeness.
Khanda Section: Vāstu-vidyā & Pratimā-lakṣaṇa (Temple Architecture and Iconographic Installation)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"In front of a mandapa, a prominent Garuḍa emblem stands; around the pavilion, icons are arranged in the eight directions, with additional figures placed on an upper tier, forming a spatial mandala.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, frontal mandapa with Garuḍa emblem at entrance, eight directional icons around in symmetric layout, upper tier figures above, bold outlines and traditional palette.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, Garuḍa rendered with gold relief at mandapa front, surrounding directional deities in small niches, layered vertical composition with rich ornament and gold work.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clear schematic of mandapa plan with eight-direction placements, Garuḍa at the front axis, upper tier indicated, fine linework and subtle gold.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtyard mandapa scene with Garuḍa standard/emblem, attendants placing icons at compass points, architectural plan hinted through perspective, intricate detailing."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Hamsadhwani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: मण्डपञ्चाग्रे (पाठभेद/सन्धि): सम्भाव्यं ‘मण्डपस्य अग्रे’ (मण्डप + अग्रे); कुर्याद्धि→कुर्यात् हि; प्रतिमायान्तु→प्रतिमायाम् तु; चाष्टमासु→च अष्टमासु; चोपरि→च उपरि
Related Themes: Agni Purana 42 (mandira/mandapa and icon placement rules)
FAQs
It gives a Vāstu/Pratimā-vidhi instruction: place a Garuḍa emblem at the mandapa’s front zone and distribute icons according to the eight directions, including an upper tier placement.
Beyond mythology, it preserves practical temple-science—mandapa zoning, directional icon placement, and emblematic standards—showing the text’s coverage of architecture, ritual planning, and iconography.
Correct directional and hierarchical placement of icons is treated as aligning the shrine with cosmic order (dik-krama), supporting ritual efficacy, purity of worship, and the intended merit (puṇya) of consecration.