Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 3
Chapter 42 — प्रासादलक्षणकथनं
Prāsāda-lakṣaṇa-kathana: Characteristics of the Temple/Prāsāda
जङ्घोच्छ्रायन्तु कर्तव्यं चतुर्भागेण चायतं जङ्घायां द्विगुणोच्छ्रायं मञ्जर्याः कल्पयेद् बुधः
jaṅghocchrāyantu kartavyaṃ caturbhāgeṇa cāyataṃ jaṅghāyāṃ dviguṇocchrāyaṃ mañjaryāḥ kalpayed budhaḥ
जंघा (खालचा भाग) याची उंची चतुर्थांश प्रमाणाने करावी। जंघेवर बुद्धिमान शिल्पी त्याच्या दुप्पट उंचीची मञ्जरी (अलंकार-गुच्छ) घडवावी।
Lord Agni (instructional narration typical of Agni Purana’s technical chapters)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Shilpa","secondary_vidya":"Vastu","practical_application":"Guiding sculptors/architects in proportional design: setting the shank height and the relative height of an ornamental mañjarī element.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Jaṅghā-ucchrāya and Mañjarī-pramāṇa (Proportions for shank and ornament)","lookup_keywords":["jaṅghā","ucchrāya","pramāṇa","mañjarī","tāla-māna"],"quick_summary":"Sets a proportional rule: the shank height is one-fourth of the unit, and the mañjarī ornament above/on it is twice that height, ensuring consistent iconometric/architectural detailing."}
Concept: Beauty and correctness arise from proportion (pramāṇa) and measured augmentation of ornament.
Application: In drafting or carving, fix the base measure first; derive dependent ornament heights by simple ratios to maintain consistency across a series of icons or temple elevations.
Khanda Section: Vastu-shastra / Shilpa-shastra (Iconometry and proportional measurements)
Primary Rasa: Shanta
Secondary Rasa: Adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A master sculptor demonstrates measurements on a figure/architectural elevation: marking the jaṅghā height as one-fourth, then drawing a taller mañjarī ornament at twice that height.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, artisan-guru with measuring rod, stylized temple elevation or icon leg section, jaṅghā and mañjarī clearly indicated, traditional pigments and workshop ambience","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, ornate measured icon/temple limb with gold-highlighted mañjarī ornament, master craftsman pointing to proportional marks, rich decorative border","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, technical instructional plate: clean proportional diagram with 1/4 and 2× annotations, craftsman holding tāla/rod, emphasis on clarity and elegance","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, atelier scene with sculptors, a measured drawing on paper showing jaṅghā and mañjarī proportions, fine linework and detailed tools"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":null,"pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: जङ्घोच्छ्रायम् = जङ्घा + उच्छ्रायम्; चायतम् = च + आयतम्; द्विगुणोच्छ्रायम् = द्विगुण + उच्छ्रायम्; कल्पयेद् = कल्पयेत् (त्→द् before voiced consonant)
Related Themes: Agni Purana 42 (iconometric/architectural measurement stream)
FAQs
It gives iconometric rules: the proportional height/length of the shank (jaṅghā) and the prescribed double-height measure for a mañjarī-type ornament placed on it.
Alongside theology and ritual, the Agni Purana preserves practical design standards from Vastu/Shilpa traditions, including precise proportional canons used by temple architects and image-makers.
Correct proportions in sacred images are traditionally held to preserve auspiciousness (maṅgala) and ritual efficacy, supporting proper worship and the intended devotional focus of the deity’s form.