Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 14
Chapter 39 — भूपरिग्रहविधानम्
Bhū-parigraha-vidhāna: Procedure for Acquiring and Ritually Securing Land
समं वाप्यधिकं वापि न कर्तव्यं विजानता उभयोर्द्विगुणां सीमां त्यक्त्वा चोच्छ्रयसम्मितां
samaṃ vāpyadhikaṃ vāpi na kartavyaṃ vijānatā ubhayordviguṇāṃ sīmāṃ tyaktvā cocchrayasammitāṃ
O construtor conhecedor não deve fazer a medida exatamente igual, nem tampouco excessiva; abandonando o limite de contorno duplicado em ambos os lados, deve adotar uma proporção condizente com a altura prescrita.
Lord Agni (instructing Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Proportional control in architectural measurement—avoid exact equality or excess; choose dimensions aligned with prescribed height and boundary constraints.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Vāstu-māna: avoiding sama/adhika and adopting height-commensurate proportion","lookup_keywords":["vāstu-māna","pramāṇa","ucchraya","sīmā","prāsāda-proportion"],"quick_summary":"Do not set measures as rigidly equal or overly large; discard improper doubled boundary allowances and select dimensions proportionate to the intended height for stable, harmonious construction."}
Concept: Madhyama-mārga in craft: avoid extremes; proportion (sāmya) is not mere equality but contextual harmony.
Application: Use height as the controlling parameter when finalizing plan dimensions; avoid overbuilding that violates boundary/limit rules.
Khanda Section: Vāstu-Śāstra / Architecture & Measurement (Vāstu-Māna, proportional canons)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A sthapati with measuring rod and cord demonstrates proportional relationships between base boundary lines and the rising height of a prāsāda; a rejected ‘too equal’ and ‘too excessive’ plan shown beside the accepted proportional plan.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, artisans with measuring cords, stylized prāsāda elevation with marked height lines, two crossed-out plans (equal/excess) and one approved plan, earthy reds and ochres, temple-workshop setting","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold accents on measuring tools and shrine outline, central prāsāda elevation with highlighted ucchraya, side panels showing rejected extremes, rich decorative borders","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, technical diagram aesthetic, clear proportional grid, sthapati pointing to ucchraya-based ratios, labeled boundary limits, fine pen-like outlines","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, workshop scene with architects around a plan, one holding a scale, a prāsāda elevation on paper with ruled lines, subtle shading and detailed textiles"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: वाप्यधिकं → वा अपि अधिकम्; वापि → वा अपि; उभयोर्द्विगुणां → उभयोः द्विगुणाम्; चोच्छ्रयसम्मितां → च उच्छ्रयसम्मिताम्.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 39 (māna/pramāṇa discussion around prāsāda construction)
FAQs
It teaches a vāstu-māna rule: avoid making dimensions strictly equal or excessively larger; instead, keep measurements within an allowed margin (sīmā) and align them with the intended height-based proportion (ucchraya-sammitā).
Beyond theology, the Agni Purana preserves practical technical science—here, architectural proportioning and tolerances—showing it functions as a compendium of applied knowledge (vāstu/śilpa) alongside ritual and dharma.
In Purāṇic vāstu thought, correct proportion supports auspiciousness and stability; following measured, rule-based construction is treated as dharmic craftsmanship that helps ensure the structure’s beneficent (śubha) effects rather than दोष (fault).