Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 30
Chapter 41 — शिलाविन्यासविधानं
The Procedure for Laying the Stones / Foundation Setting
रसमेव चेति ग घ ङ चिह्नितपुस्तकद्वयपाठः प्रिययेति ग, चिह्नितपुस्तकपाठः गर्भं न्यस्येष्टका न्यस्य ततो गर्भं प्रपूरयेत् पीठबन्धमतः कुर्यान्मितप्रासादमानतः
rasameva ceti ga gha ṅa cihnitapustakadvayapāṭhaḥ priyayeti ga, cihnitapustakapāṭhaḥ garbhaṃ nyasyeṣṭakā nyasya tato garbhaṃ prapūrayet pīṭhabandhamataḥ kuryānmitaprāsādamānataḥ
गर्भं न्यस्येष्टकाः स्थापयित्वा ततः गर्भं सम्यक् प्रपूरयेत्। अनन्तरं मितप्रासादमानतः पीठबन्धं विधिवत् कुर्यात्॥
Lord Agni (in dialogue tradition, instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Temple foundation sequencing: forming the garbha-cavity, brick-laying, filling/compaction, then executing the pitha-bandha according to measured pramana.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Garbha-nyasa and Pitha-bandha sequence in Prasada construction","lookup_keywords":["garbha-nyasa","ishtaka-nyasa","garbha-purana","pitha-bandha","pramana"],"quick_summary":"After establishing the sanctum-core cavity and laying bricks, the cavity is fully filled/compacted; then the plinth-bonding course is built strictly by the temple’s measured proportions."}
Concept: Pramāṇa (right measure) and krama (proper sequence) as dharmic correctness in sacred building.
Application: Use modular measurement and ordered construction steps to ensure structural stability and ritual validity.
Khanda Section: Vāstu-Śāstra / Prāsāda-Lakṣaṇa (Temple Architecture and Construction)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Temple foundation work: a marked square plan, a central garbha-cavity being set, bricks laid, the cavity filled, and the first plinth moulding course begun with measuring rods.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, earthy reds and greens, craftsmen and sthapati around a sanctum foundation pit (garbha), placing bricks and filling it, measuring with danda and cord, stylized architecture motifs, flat perspective, ornate borders","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style with gold leaf accents, a sthapati holding a measuring rod beside a partially built plinth (pitha-bandha), bricks stacked, sanctum core indicated, rich textiles, temple lamps, gilded architectural highlights","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, clean linework and soft colors, instructional depiction of garbha-nyasa then garbha-purana then pitha-bandha, labeled modules/padas, craftsmen in orderly sequence, minimal background","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed construction scene with masons laying bricks into a central cavity, overseer with plan scroll, precise geometry on the ground, delicate shading, architectural cross-section feel"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: rasam+eva→rasameva; nyasya+iṣṭakāḥ→nyasyeṣṭakāḥ; kuryāt+mita-…→kuryān mita-…; mānataḥ treated as tasil-anta adverb (‘according to measure’). Editorial notes (ga/gha/ṅa readings) omitted from pada analysis.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 41 (Prāsāda-lakṣaṇa: measurements, pīṭha, garbha, iṣṭakā-vidhi)
FAQs
It teaches a practical Vāstu step-sequence: set the garbha core, lay bricks, fill the garbha cavity fully, and then build the pīṭha-bandha (plinth course) according to prescribed temple measurements.
By giving concrete, procedural construction instructions (materials, sequence, and proportional measurement), it shows the Agni Purana functioning as a technical manual of Vāstu-śāstra alongside its religious narratives.
Correctly constructing the sanctum-core and its base according to measure is treated as dharmic workmanship: it supports a stable, ritually fit abode for the deity, aligning the structure with sacred order (proper proportion and purity of installation).