Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 2

Chapter 55 — Piṇḍikā-lakṣaṇa-kathana

Defining Features of the Pedestal/Base for Icons

Devanagari script

उच्छ्रितायामतोर्धेन सुविस्तारार्धभागतः तृतीयेन तु वा तुल्यं तत्त्रिभागेण मेखला

Transliteration

ucchritāyāmatordhena suvistārārdhabhāgataḥ tṛtīyena tu vā tulyaṃ tattribhāgeṇa mekhalā

Translation

मेखला (पट्टा) उंची/लांबीच्या अर्ध्या प्रमाणात आणि सर्वाधिक रुंदीच्या अर्ध्या प्रमाणात करावी; किंवा ती एक-तृतीयांशाइतकीही सम असू शकते—म्हणजे त्या मापाचे तीन भाग करून मेखला ठरवावी.

Word by Word

• उच्छ्रितायाः: of the height/raised (one)
• उच्छ्रितायाः: सम्बन्ध (Genitive relation)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उच्छ्रित (प्रातिपदिक; उद् + √श्रि (धातु) क्त)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive/षष्ठी), एकवचन; विशेषण (पिण्डिकायाः/प्रतिमायाः इत्यर्थे)

• अतः: from that
• अतः: अपादान (Source/अपादान)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अतः (अव्यय)
• Form: अपादानार्थक/तस्मात्-अर्थे (from that/therefrom)

• अर्धेन: by half
• अर्धेन: करण (Measure/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अर्ध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/तृतीया), एकवचन

• सु-विस्तार-अर्ध-भागतः: from half of the good width (i.e., taking half-width as basis)
• सु-विस्तार-अर्ध-भागतः: अपादान (Source/Measure-origin)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सु + विस्तार + अर्ध + भाग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभाववत् तसिल्-प्रत्ययान्त (ablatival adverb) ‘-तः’; समासार्थः: सुविस्तारस्य अर्धभागात्

• तृतीयेन: by one-third
• तृतीयेन: करण (Measure/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तृतीय (प्रातिपदिक; क्रमवाचक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/तृतीया), एकवचन; ‘by a third part’

• तु: indeed/but
• तु: सम्बन्ध (Particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (but/indeed)

• वा: or
• वा: समुच्चय/विकल्प (Particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वा (अव्यय)
• Form: विकल्पार्थक-निपात (or)

• तुल्यम्: equal
• तुल्यम्: विशेषण (Predicate adjective)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तुल्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (Nom/Acc), एकवचन; विधेय-विशेषण (is equal)

• तत्: that
• तत्: विशेषण (Deictic qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (Nom/Acc), एकवचन; निर्देशक (that)

• त्रिभागेण: by three parts / by a third division
• त्रिभागेण: करण (Measure/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: त्रि + भाग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/तृतीया), एकवचन; द्विगु (त्रि-भाग)

• मेखला: the girdle/band (mekhalā)
• मेखला: कर्ता (Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मेखला (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/प्रथमा), एकवचन

Speaker

Lord Agni

Vidya Category

Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Determining mekhalā (band/girdle) proportions on the pedestal/base for structural clarity and canonical aesthetics.","sutra_style":true}

Encyclopedic Reference

Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Mekhalā-pramāṇa on piṇḍikā/adhiṣṭhāna","lookup_keywords":["mekhalā","piṇḍikā","pramāṇa","ucchrita","vistāra"],"quick_summary":"The mekhalā is proportioned using halves of height and breadth at the widest, with an alternate one-third-based scheme—ensuring consistent band placement by fractional division."}

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Pramāṇa (measure) as the basis of śilpa—order through fractional ratios.

Application: Apply fractional rules to keep mouldings visually balanced and structurally coherent.

Khanda Section

Khanda Section: Vāstu-Śāstra (Architecture & Measurements)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Visual Art Cues

Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A pedestal cross-section showing the mekhalā band, with craftsmen dividing measures into halves and thirds using cords and marked rods.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, stylized pedestal section with bold outlines, artisans marking half and third divisions, earthy palette, temple construction ambience","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, ornate pedestal with highlighted mekhalā band in gold, artisan demonstrating proportional divisions, rich decorative borders","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, diagrammatic cross-section with fine lines, clear fractional annotations (1/2, 1/3), calm instructional scene","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, workshop with draftsman and mason, pedestal moulding sample on table, measuring tools, intricate architectural backdrop"}

Audio Atmosphere

Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}

Sandhi Resolution Notes

Sandhi Resolution Notes: ucchritāyāmatordhena → उच्छ्रितायाः + अतः + अर्धेन; suvistārārdhabhāgataḥ → सु-विस्तार-अर्ध-भागतः; tattribhāgeṇa → तत् + त्रिभागेण.

Cross References

Related Themes: Agni Purana 55.1 (piṇḍikā basic dimensions); Agni Purana 55.3-55.4 (foundation slope, praṇāla and water-channel measures)

Characters & Entities

• Agni
• Vāstu-śāstra
• Mekhalā

FAQs

What technical or ritual knowledge (Vidya) is imparted in this verse?

It gives a proportional rule (pramāṇa) for determining the mekhalā (a binding band/girdle element) using fractional measures—half of height/length and half of maximum breadth, with an alternate one-third-based proportional option.

How does this verse contribute to the 'Encyclopedic' nature of the Agni Purana?

Beyond theology, the Agni Purana preserves applied technical canons—here, Vāstu-śāstra proportioning—showing it functions as a practical handbook for design/ritual construction alongside its religious narratives.

What is the spiritual or karmic significance of this specific instruction?

Correct proportional construction is treated as part of dharmic workmanship: adherence to śāstric measures supports ritual purity and auspiciousness in consecrated objects/structures, thereby increasing the merit (puṇya) of the patron and artisan.