Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 4
Chapter 41 — शिलाविन्यासविधानं
The Procedure for Laying the Stones / Foundation Setting
करप्रमाणा श्रेष्ठा स्याच्छिलाप्यथ शिलामये नव कुम्भांस्ताम्रमयान् स्थापयेदिष्टकाघटान्
karapramāṇā śreṣṭhā syācchilāpyatha śilāmaye nava kumbhāṃstāmramayān sthāpayediṣṭakāghaṭān
ਕਰ-ਪ੍ਰਮਾਣ (ਹੱਥ ਦੇ ਫੈਲਾਵ ਅਧਾਰਿਤ ਮਾਪ) ਨੂੰ ਸ਼੍ਰੇਸ਼ਠ ਮੰਨਿਆ ਗਿਆ ਹੈ; ਸ਼ਿਲਾ ਲਈ ਵੀ ਇਹੀ ਹੈ। ਜੇ ਨਿਰਮਾਣ ਸ਼ਿਲਾਮਯ ਹੋਵੇ, ਤਾਂ ਸ਼ਿਲਾ-ਸਥਾਪਨਾ ਵਿੱਚ ਨੌਂ ਤਾਂਬੇ ਦੇ ਕੁੰਭ ਅਤੇ ਇਸ਼ਟਕਾ-ਘਟ ਵੀ ਸਥਾਪਿਤ ਕਰਨੇ ਚਾਹੀਦੇ ਹਨ।
Lord Agni (teaching the ritual/technical procedure to the sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s instructional dialogue)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Selecting the preferred measurement basis (hand-span) and prescribing ritual deposit/installation of nine copper pots (and brick pots) in stone constructions as part of foundation consecration and stability rites.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Kara-pramāṇa and navakumbha-sthāpana in stone construction","lookup_keywords":["kara-pramāṇa","śilāmaya","nava-kumbha","tāmra-kumbha","iṣṭakā-ghaṭa"],"quick_summary":"Hand-span based measurement is recommended as superior for practical building. For stone structures, install nine copper pots (and brick pots) as consecratory deposits, integrating measure, material, and rite."}
Concept: Measure and material as carriers of sacred order: standardized pramāṇa plus prescribed deposits sacralize and stabilize the built form.
Application: Use consistent human-scale measurement (kara) and perform navakumbha installation in stone works to align craftsmanship with consecration norms.
Khanda Section: Vastu-vidya / Mandira-nirmana & Pratishtha (Temple architecture and installation rites)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A stone temple foundation being prepared: a sthapati measures with hand-span, while priests and workers install nine copper pots in a grid-like arrangement, alongside brick pots, before sealing the foundation.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, stone foundation pit with nine shining copper kumbhas arranged symmetrically, priestly figures performing rites, sthapati demonstrating kara-measure, deep reds and greens.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-leaf emphasis on copper pots, ornate ritual setting within a stone foundation, symmetrical navakumbha display, richly dressed officiants, decorative borders.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clear technical layout: nine pots shown in orderly placement, craftsman measuring by hand-span, stone blocks around the pit, calm instructional clarity.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed stone masonry scene, nine copper vessels placed carefully, artisans and priests collaborating, fine rendering of metal sheen and stone texture."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":null,"pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: स्याच्छिलाप्यथ → स्यात् शिला अपि अथ; स्थापयेदिष्टकाघटान् → स्थापयेत् इष्टकाघटान्; कुम्भांस्ताम्रमयान् → कुम्भान् ताम्रमयान्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana chapters on pramāṇa (aṅgula/hasta/kara) in construction; Agni Purana pratiṣṭhā passages describing kumbha-sthāpana/garbha-nyāsa type deposits
FAQs
It gives a Vastu/Pratiṣṭhā instruction: use the hand-span as the preferred measurement standard, and in stone-built installations place nine copper kumbhas (and brick-made pots) as prescribed ritual/structural containers.
Beyond mythology, it preserves applied technical guidance—measurement systems, material specifications (stone, copper, brick), and standardized counts (nine kumbhas)—showing the Agni Purana’s coverage of architecture and installation rites alongside theology.
Correct measure and properly installed ritual vessels are treated as prerequisites for a pure, stable consecration; following the prescribed materials and numbers is understood to support the efficacy of the rite and the merit (puṇya) gained from establishing a sacred space.