Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 10
Chapter 24 — कुण्डनिर्माणादिविधिः
Procedure for Constructing the Fire-pit and Related Rites
पद्माकारे दलानि स्युर्मेखलानान्तु वर्तुले बाहुदण्डप्रमाणन्तु होमार्थं कारयेत् स्रुचं
padmākāre dalāni syurmekhalānāntu vartule bāhudaṇḍapramāṇantu homārthaṃ kārayet srucaṃ
Unjuran seperti daun hendaklah dibentuk menyerupai teratai; gelang-gelang melingkar (mekhalā) hendaklah berbentuk bulat. Untuk tujuan homa (persembahan api), hendaklah dibuat senduk suci (sruc) menurut ukuran panjang lengan bawah (hasta).
Lord Agni (in discourse to sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Shilpa","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Design specifications for yajña implements: lotus-like projections and circular bands; standardizing the sruc (homa ladle) length to forearm measure for consistent ritual performance.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Sruc (Homa Ladle) Measure and Lotus-Form Detailing","lookup_keywords":["sruva/sruc","homa-upakaraṇa","padmākāra","mekhalā (bands)","bāhu-daṇḍa-pramāṇa"],"quick_summary":"Craft the implement with lotus-like lobes and circular encircling bands; make the sruc to the forearm-length standard for homa use."}
Concept: Ritual tools must embody proportion (pramāṇa) and auspicious form (padma) to support correct action (karma).
Application: Use anthropometric measurement (forearm) to standardize ladles across practitioners; maintain prescribed forms to avoid ritual defects.
Khanda Section: Agneya-vidya (Homa-dravya & Yajna-upakarana-nirmāṇa)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A craftsman fashions a wooden ladle with lotus-petal projections and circular bands, measuring its length against a forearm staff; nearby a small homa setup indicates intended use.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, artisan carving a sruc with lotus-lobes, priest holding a forearm-measure rod, warm earthy tones, homa fire hinted in background, emphasis on sacred tool-making","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting with gold detailing on lotus motifs and bands, close-up of sruc with ornate padma design, priest-craftsman duo measuring forearm length, rich decorative borders","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style instructional plate: labeled parts of sruc (dala, mekhalā), forearm-length comparison, fine brushwork and soft colors, workshop setting with tools neatly arranged","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, atelier scene with precise tool depiction, sruc drawn in profile with lotus-lobes, measuring against forearm staff, delicate shading and patterned floor"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: स्युर्मेखलानान्तु = स्युः + मेखलानाम् + तु; बाहुदण्डप्रमाणन्तु = बाहुदण्डप्रमाणम् + तु; होमार्थं = होम + अर्थम् (समास/प्रयोजनार्थ)।
Related Themes: Agni Purana 24 (homa-dravya and yajña-upakaraṇa specifications)
FAQs
It gives the design-specification for the homa ladle (sruc): lotus-like petal form, circular bands, and a standard length measured by the forearm.
Beyond theology, it preserves practical ritual-technology—precise craft instructions (shape, geometry, and measurement standards) for yajña equipment used in fire rites.
Using correctly proportioned and ritually prescribed implements supports accuracy in homa, which is traditionally held to enhance purity (śuddhi) and the efficacy (siddhi) of offerings.