Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 19
Chapter 42 — प्रासादलक्षणकथनं
Prāsāda-lakṣaṇa-kathana: Characteristics of the Temple/Prāsāda
विस्ताराद्द्विगुणं द्वारं कर्तव्यं तु सुशोभनं उदुम्बरौ तदूर्ध्वञ्च न्यसेच्छाखां सुमङ्गलैः
vistārāddviguṇaṃ dvāraṃ kartavyaṃ tu suśobhanaṃ udumbarau tadūrdhvañca nyasecchākhāṃ sumaṅgalaiḥ
A porta deve ser feita com beleza, tendo a altura o dobro da largura. Os batentes devem ser de madeira de udumbara, e acima se coloque um ramo auspicioso como emblema de suprema boa fortuna.
Lord Agni (in instruction to Sage Vashistha; Vastu-vidhi discourse)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Residential/temple doorway proportioning, material choice (udumbara), and auspicious lintel-emblem placement during dvara-pratishtha.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Dvāra-māna and Udumbara-śākhā Maṅgala-nyāsa","lookup_keywords":["dvāra-māna","udumbara","dvara-pratishtha","śākhā-nyāsa","maṅgala-lakṣaṇa"],"quick_summary":"Make the doorway aesthetically correct by keeping height twice the width; use udumbara wood and place an auspicious branch above as a protective and prosperity-invoking emblem."}
Concept: Maṅgala and māna (auspiciousness and proportion) stabilize space and invite śrī (well-being).
Application: Use correct measurements and auspicious materials/markers to reduce inauspicious entry and enhance perceived harmony of the built space.
Khanda Section: Vastu-vidya (Griha-nirmana & Dvara-pratishtha)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A craftsman measures a doorway so its height is twice its width; udumbara wood posts are set, and an auspicious branch is fixed above the lintel as a maṅgala sign.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, warm earthy palette, artisans installing udumbara doorposts, sacred branch tied above lintel with ritual threads, stylized architecture, flat perspective, decorative borders.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, doorway with rich ornament, gold-leaf highlights on lintel and maṅgala branch, udumbara wood texture, priests and sthapati holding measuring rod, jewel-toned background.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, clean linework showing measurement ratio 2:1, labeled doorway parts, udumbara posts, auspicious branch above, instructional composition with subtle gold accents.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed workshop scene with measuring tools, carpenters fitting udumbara frame, delicate floral branch above doorway, architectural precision, fine textiles and patterned floor."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shree","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: विस्ताराद्→विस्तारात् (द् + द्वि = द्द्वि); तदूर्ध्वञ्च→तत् ऊर्ध्वम् च; न्यसेच्छाखाम्→न्यसेत् शाखाम् (त् + श = च्छ लेखनरूप)
Related Themes: Agni Purana 42 (Vāstu: dvāra, prāsāda, prākāra, gopura, pratimā-māna)
FAQs
It gives a Vastu rule for doorway design: the door’s height should be twice its width, and it prescribes udumbara wood for the door-frame/posts with an auspicious branch installed above the doorway as a shubha-lakshana.
Beyond theology, the Agni Purana preserves practical built-environment standards—architectural proportion, material selection (udumbara), and auspicious installation markers—showing its coverage of Vastu-śāstra alongside other sciences.
Correct proportions and auspicious materials/signs are treated as promoting śubha (well-being) and removing inauspicious influences at the threshold, the liminal point where protection and prosperity are ritually established.