Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 3
Chapter 42 — प्रासादलक्षणकथनं
Prāsāda-lakṣaṇa-kathana: Characteristics of the Temple/Prāsāda
जङ्घोच्छ्रायन्तु कर्तव्यं चतुर्भागेण चायतं जङ्घायां द्विगुणोच्छ्रायं मञ्जर्याः कल्पयेद् बुधः
jaṅghocchrāyantu kartavyaṃ caturbhāgeṇa cāyataṃ jaṅghāyāṃ dviguṇocchrāyaṃ mañjaryāḥ kalpayed budhaḥ
A altura da jaṅghā (a seção inferior, como a “perna” do embasamento) deve ser feita com comprimento igual a um quarto (da medida prescrita). Sobre a jaṅghā, o artífice sábio deve formar a mañjarī (cacho ornamental folhado) com altura dupla dessa medida.
Lord Agni (instructional narration typical of Agni Purana’s technical chapters)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Shilpa","secondary_vidya":"Vastu","practical_application":"Guiding sculptors/architects in proportional design: setting the shank height and the relative height of an ornamental mañjarī element.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Jaṅghā-ucchrāya and Mañjarī-pramāṇa (Proportions for shank and ornament)","lookup_keywords":["jaṅghā","ucchrāya","pramāṇa","mañjarī","tāla-māna"],"quick_summary":"Sets a proportional rule: the shank height is one-fourth of the unit, and the mañjarī ornament above/on it is twice that height, ensuring consistent iconometric/architectural detailing."}
Concept: Beauty and correctness arise from proportion (pramāṇa) and measured augmentation of ornament.
Application: In drafting or carving, fix the base measure first; derive dependent ornament heights by simple ratios to maintain consistency across a series of icons or temple elevations.
Khanda Section: Vastu-shastra / Shilpa-shastra (Iconometry and proportional measurements)
Primary Rasa: Shanta
Secondary Rasa: Adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A master sculptor demonstrates measurements on a figure/architectural elevation: marking the jaṅghā height as one-fourth, then drawing a taller mañjarī ornament at twice that height.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, artisan-guru with measuring rod, stylized temple elevation or icon leg section, jaṅghā and mañjarī clearly indicated, traditional pigments and workshop ambience","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, ornate measured icon/temple limb with gold-highlighted mañjarī ornament, master craftsman pointing to proportional marks, rich decorative border","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, technical instructional plate: clean proportional diagram with 1/4 and 2× annotations, craftsman holding tāla/rod, emphasis on clarity and elegance","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, atelier scene with sculptors, a measured drawing on paper showing jaṅghā and mañjarī proportions, fine linework and detailed tools"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":null,"pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: जङ्घोच्छ्रायम् = जङ्घा + उच्छ्रायम्; चायतम् = च + आयतम्; द्विगुणोच्छ्रायम् = द्विगुण + उच्छ्रायम्; कल्पयेद् = कल्पयेत् (त्→द् before voiced consonant)
Related Themes: Agni Purana 42 (iconometric/architectural measurement stream)
FAQs
It gives iconometric rules: the proportional height/length of the shank (jaṅghā) and the prescribed double-height measure for a mañjarī-type ornament placed on it.
Alongside theology and ritual, the Agni Purana preserves practical design standards from Vastu/Shilpa traditions, including precise proportional canons used by temple architects and image-makers.
Correct proportions in sacred images are traditionally held to preserve auspiciousness (maṅgala) and ritual efficacy, supporting proper worship and the intended devotional focus of the deity’s form.