Agni Purana — Vyavahara, Shloka 41
Divya-pramāṇa-kathana
Explanation of Divine Proofs / Ordeals and Evidentiary Procedure
स तमादाय सप्तैव मण्डलानि शतैर् व्रजेत् षोडशाङ्गुलकं ज्ञेयं मण्डलं तावदन्तरम्
sa tamādāya saptaiva maṇḍalāni śatair vrajet ṣoḍaśāṅgulakaṃ jñeyaṃ maṇḍalaṃ tāvadantaram
तो माप आधार मानून शेकड्यांनी मोजत सात मंडलांपर्यंत जावे. एक मंडल सोळा अंगुळांचे समजावे आणि मंडलांतील अंतरही तितकेच असावे।
Lord Agni (teaching to Vasiṣṭha, the principal interlocutor of the Agni Purāṇa)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Apply a standardized unit (16 aṅgulas per maṇḍala) and equal inter-maṇḍala spacing to scale layouts across a grid up to seven hundred-fold progression—useful for planning ritual diagrams, site layouts, or measured constructions.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Maṇḍala Measure: 16 Aṅgula with Equal Intervals (Up to Seven Hundreds)","lookup_keywords":["maṇḍala","aṅgula","measurement","interval","vāstu"],"quick_summary":"Defines a maṇḍala as 16 aṅgulas and prescribes equal spacing between maṇḍalas, enabling scalable, modular layout planning up to seven sets of hundreds."}
Concept: Sacred order is expressed through measure (māna) and repeatable modules; space becomes intelligible and sanctifiable through proportion.
Application: Use consistent units and equal spacing to avoid cumulative error in large layouts; treat measurement as a ritual-ethical discipline (accuracy as dharma of craft).
Khanda Section: Vāstu-śāstra / Maṇḍala-lakṣaṇa (Sacred geometry and measurement for layouts)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A measured grid of mandalas is drawn on the ground with a measuring rod; each mandala is 16 aṅgulas with equal spacing, expanding in orderly rows up to large counts.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural; artisans drawing a geometric grid with white lines on red earth, measuring rod marked in aṅgulas, seven grouped sections indicated, temple courtyard ambiance, decorative borders.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore; symmetrical sacred diagram with gold accents on key nodes, measuring tools and palm-leaf notes, rich colors, central grid emphasized as auspicious geometry.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore; clean instructional scene—architect-priest demonstrating 16-aṅgula module, labeled intervals, assistants holding cord and rod, soft palette and precise linework.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature; detailed draughtsman scene with grid on parchment and on ground, rulers and cords, figures in profile discussing measurements, architectural backdrop with fine ornament."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"didactic","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: tam+ādāya → tam ādāya; sapta+eva → sapta eva; śatair → śataiḥ (visarga/sandhi in recitation); ṣoḍaśāṅgulakaṃ → ṣoḍaśa-aṅgulakam; tāvadantaram → tāvat antaram.
Related Themes: Agni Purana vāstu/maṇḍala-lakṣaṇa chapters (site measurement and grids); Agni Purana śilpa and prāsāda-lakṣaṇa sections (proportion systems)
FAQs
It defines a technical unit for sacred layouts: one maṇḍala is measured as sixteen aṅgulas, and the spacing (antara) between mandalas is prescribed to match that standard measure.
Beyond mythology, the Agni Purāṇa codifies applied sciences like Vāstu-śāstra—here giving concrete, repeatable measurement rules for constructing ritual diagrams and architectural/altar layouts.
Accurate maṇḍala measurement is treated as essential for ritual correctness (śuddhi and siddhi): proper proportions ensure the rite is performed in harmony with sacred order, supporting auspicious and intended results.