Agni Purana — Kosha, Shloka 9
Bhūmi–Vana–Auṣadhi–Ādi Vargāḥ (भूमिवनौषध्यादिवर्गाः) — Lexical Groups on Earth, Settlements, Architecture, Forests, Materia Medica, and Fauna
हर्म्यादि धनिनां वासःप्रासादो देवभूभुजां स्त्री द्वार्द्वारं प्रतीहारः स्याद्वितर्दिस्तु वेदिका
harmyādi dhanināṃ vāsaḥprāsādo devabhūbhujāṃ strī dvārdvāraṃ pratīhāraḥ syādvitardistu vedikā
Хармья и подобные ей строения — жилище богатых; прасада (prāsāda) — дворец, подобный храму, у царей и у богов. Strī означает дверную раму; dvāradvāra — дверной проём/вход; pratīhāra — привратник; vitardi — приподнятая площадка или алтарь (vedikā).
Lord Agni (teaching the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Terminology for classifying residences/palaces and architectural door-components in design specifications, contracts, and ritual/royal building descriptions.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Harmya–Prāsāda and Doorway Terminology (Strī, Dvāradvāra, Pratīhāra, Vitardi)","lookup_keywords":["harmya","prāsāda","strī (door-frame)","dvāradvāra","vitardi/vedikā"],"quick_summary":"Defines key vāstu terms: harmya as a wealthy residence, prāsāda as royal/divine mansion; and technical names for door-frame, doorway, doorkeeper, and a raised platform/vedikā."}
Concept: Precise naming (saṃjñā) as a prerequisite for correct construction and administration of space.
Application: Use standardized terms to avoid ambiguity in building plans, procurement, and ritual/royal descriptions.
Khanda Section: Vastu-shastra (Architecture & Building Terminology)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A labeled architectural cutaway: wealthy harmya and royal prāsāda; close-up of doorway showing strī (frame), dvāradvāra (doorway), pratīhāra (doorkeeper), and a vitardi/vedikā platform.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural palette, flat yet ornate architectural vignette of a prāsāda entrance with a doorkeeper, labeled doorway parts, traditional floral borders, warm earth reds and greens.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting of a royal prāsāda gateway with a pratīhāra in jeweled attire, gold-leaf highlights on pillars and threshold, inset panel showing vitardi/vedikā platform.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style instructional illustration: clean lines, soft shading, annotated doorway diagram (strī, dvāradvāra) and a small elevation of harmya vs prāsāda.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature architectural study: palace façade with guard at the portal, fine ink detailing of door-frame and threshold platform, marginal notes indicating terms."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: vāsaḥprāsādo → vāsaḥ prāsādaḥ; dvārdvāraṃ → dvāradvāram; syādvitardistu → syāt vitardiḥ tu.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 362 (Vāstu-śabda/saṃjñā section)
FAQs
It teaches Vāstu-śāstra technical nomenclature—precise terms for residences (harmya, prāsāda) and architectural/entry components (door-frame, doorway, doorkeeper, platform/vedikā).
By functioning like a compact glossary, it preserves standardized architectural vocabulary alongside the Purana’s many other domains (ritual, polity, arts), showing its role as a reference manual for practical sciences.
Correct architectural terminology supports correct planning and execution of sacred and royal structures (prāsāda/vedikā), which in Vāstu tradition is linked with auspiciousness, order (ṛta), and merit when used for righteous building and worship.