Shloka 15

Prāsāda-Lakṣaṇa: Temple Proportions, Śikhara Ratios, Liṅga–Pīṭha Measures, and Auspicious Ground-Plans

Devanagari script

कराग्रं वेदवत्कृत्वा द्वारं भागाष्टमं भवेत् / विस्तरेण समाख्यातं द्विगुणंस्वेच्छया भवेत्

Transliteration

karāgraṃ vedavatkṛtvā dvāraṃ bhāgāṣṭamaṃ bhavet / vistareṇa samākhyātaṃ dviguṇaṃsvecchayā bhavet

Translation

Dengan mengambil ukuran asas (bermula dari hujung jari) menurut kaedah Veda, pintu hendaklah menjadi satu per lapan (daripada ukuran yang ditetapkan). Lebarnya telah dihuraikan dengan terperinci; tingginya boleh dibuat dua kali ganda menurut kehendak.

Word by Word

• कराग्रम्: the tip of the hand
• कराग्रम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कर + अग्र (प्रातिपदिके; समास)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: ‘करस्य अग्रं’ = tip of the hand

• वेदवत्: according to Vedic rule
• वेदवत्: Kriya-visheshana (Adverbial/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वेदवत् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; क्रियाविशेषण (adverb: according to the Veda / in a prescribed manner)

• कृत्वा: having made
• कृत्वा: Purvakala-kriya (Prior action/पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु) + त्वा (कृदन्त)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्यय (gerund/absolutive); ‘having made/done’

• द्वारम्: the doorway
• द्वारम्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्वार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; ‘door/doorway’

• भागाष्टमम्: one-eighth portion
• भागाष्टमम्: Visheshana (Adjectival/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: भाग + अष्टम (प्रातिपदिके; समास)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: ‘भागस्य अष्टमम्’ = one-eighth part; विशेषण of द्वारम्

• भवेत्: should be
• भवेत्: Kriya (Predicate/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भू (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; ‘should be’

• विस्तरेण: by (its) width
• विस्तरेण: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विस्तर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन; ‘by/with (its) width/extent’

• समाख्यातम्: is explained
• समाख्यातम्: Karma (Predicate complement/कर्म)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम्-आ-ख्या (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (past passive participle, क्त); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; ‘declared/explained’

• द्विगुणम्: double
• द्विगुणम्: Visheshana (Adjectival/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: द्वि + गुण (प्रातिपदिके; समास)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; द्विगु-समास: ‘द्वौ गुणौ यस्य/द्विगुणम्’ = double; विशेषण (implied measure)

• स्वेच्छया: according to one’s wish
• स्वेच्छया: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्व + इच्छा (प्रातिपदिके; समास)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: ‘स्वस्य इच्छा’ = one’s own wish; ‘according to one’s wish’

• भवेत्: should be
• भवेत्: Kriya (Predicate/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भू (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; ‘should be’

Speaker

Lord Viṣṇu (in instruction to Garuḍa/Vainateya)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Aṅgula-based measurement (karāgra) as Vedic standard; proportional design (1/8) with sanctioned optionality (height doubled).

Vedantic Theme: Śāstra as pramāṇa guiding action; balance of niyama (rule) and yukti (contextual discretion) within dharma.

Application: Use a consistent unit system (aṅgula derived from fingertip) and apply proportional rules; where the text permits, adjust height to context without breaking core ratios.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: doorway/threshold within a sacred structure

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.47.14 (dvara-mana introduction); Garuda Purana 1.47 (subsequent verses on pedestal hollow and supports)

FAQs

What is the importance of Vedic measurement (karāgra) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse emphasizes that structural proportions—like a doorway—should be established using a Vedicly sanctioned unit of measure, indicating that sacred architecture is meant to follow dharmic standards rather than arbitrary sizing.

How does this verse relate to the Garuda Purana’s broader teachings?

While much of the Garuda Purana is known for afterlife and rites, it also preserves practical dharma—here, correct proportional rules for construction/ritual spaces—reflecting how daily life and sacred order are linked.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

If following traditional practice, use consistent traditional units and proportions when building or renovating prayer spaces or heritage-style homes, keeping the entrance proportionate and harmonized rather than purely aesthetic.