Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 3
Chapter 24 — कुण्डनिर्माणादिविधिः
Procedure for Constructing the Fire-pit and Related Rites
सत्त्वादिसञ्ज्ञा पूर्वाशा द्वादशाङ्गुलमुच्छ्रिता अष्टाङ्गुला द्व्यङुलाथ चतुरङ्गुलविस्तृता
sattvādisañjñā pūrvāśā dvādaśāṅgulamucchritā aṣṭāṅgulā dvyaṅulātha caturaṅgulavistṛtā
‘సత్త్వ’ మొదలైన సంజ్ఞతో చెప్పబడిన తూర్పు రేఖను పన్నెండు అంగుళాల ఎత్తుగా చేయాలి; తరువాత క్రమంగా ఎనిమిది, రెండు అంగుళాలు, అలాగే వెడల్పు నాలుగు అంగుళాలు విధించబడింది।
Lord Agni
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Shilpa","secondary_vidya":"Vastu","practical_application":"Setting proportional measurements (aṅgula-based) for a specific eastern/front guideline in iconographic drafting, ensuring standardized elevation and breadth in pratima-lakṣaṇa layouts.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Pūrvāśā (Eastern) Sattvādi-rekhā: aṅgula-ucchraya & vistāra","lookup_keywords":["pūrvāśā","sattvādi-saṃjñā","aṅgula-māna","rekhā","pratimā-lakṣaṇa"],"quick_summary":"Defines a stepwise aṅgula scheme for raising the eastern/front guideline and prescribing successive breadths, used to keep iconographic plans consistent across images and pedestals."}
Concept: Māna (measure) as dhāraṇa of form—orderly proportion as a vehicle for auspiciousness and correctness in sacred making.
Application: Use fixed aṅgula canons to avoid arbitrary proportions when drawing/marking the front/eastern guideline in image-making.
Khanda Section: Vastu / Pratima-lakshana (Iconography and measurements)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A sthapati marks an iconographic plan on a flat surface, drawing the eastern/front guideline labeled ‘Sattvādi’ and annotating heights and breadths in aṅgulas (12, 8, 2; breadth 4).","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style: a sthapati with palm-leaf manuscript and measuring rod, drawing a geometric icon-plan with the eastern line highlighted; earthy reds/ochres, bold outlines, minimal perspective, sacred workshop ambience.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting: artisan-sage presenting a measured iconographic diagram on a wooden board, gold-leaf accents on the measuring rod and border, rich maroons and greens, inscriptions of aṅgula numbers.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting: clean instructional composition showing the plan grid, the ‘pūrvāśā’ arrow, and annotated aṅgula measures; delicate lines, soft shading, scholarly calm.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: atelier scene with architect and assistants, fine calligraphy labels for ‘Sattvādi’ and aṅgula measures, detailed tools (string, ruler), architectural drafting on paper with precise borders."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सत्त्वादिसञ्ज्ञा = सत्त्वादि + सञ्ज्ञा; द्वादशाङ्गुलमुच्छ्रिता = द्वादशाङ्गुलम् + उच्छ्रिता; द्व्यङुलाथ = द्व्यङ्गुला + अथ (पाठे ‘द्व्यङुला’ इति, अपेक्षितं ‘द्व्यङ्गुला’).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 24 (Pratimā-lakṣaṇa/Vāstu-māna sequence)
FAQs
It teaches iconographic/architectural measurement (aṅgula-pramāṇa): specifying the prescribed heights and breadth for the east-facing (front) component/line identified by a technical name beginning with “sattva.”
By codifying precise proportional rules used in temple-building and image-making (Vāstu and Pratimā-lakṣaṇa), it shows the Agni Purana functioning as a practical manual alongside its theological material.
Correct proportions in sacred construction and icon-making are traditionally held to ensure ritual efficacy and auspiciousness, supporting purity of worship and the intended spiritual benefit of consecration.