Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 13
Chapter 42 — प्रासादलक्षणकथनं
Prāsāda-lakṣaṇa-kathana: Characteristics of the Temple/Prāsāda
चत्युर्भागेण वा युतमिति ख, चिह्नितपुस्तकपाठः चतुर्भागेण संयुतमिति ग, चिह्नितपुस्तकपाठः सम्यक् कुर्यात् प्रदक्षिणमिति ख, चिह्नितपुस्तकपाठः द्वात्रिंशदन्तरे इति ख, चिह्नितपुस्तकपाठः अष्टमांसेन गर्भस्य रथकानान्तु निर्गमः परिधेर्गुणभागेन रथकांस्तत्र कल्पयेत्
catyurbhāgeṇa vā yutamiti kha, cihnitapustakapāṭhaḥ caturbhāgeṇa saṃyutamiti ga, cihnitapustakapāṭhaḥ samyak kuryāt pradakṣiṇamiti kha, cihnitapustakapāṭhaḥ dvātriṃśadantare iti kha, cihnitapustakapāṭhaḥ aṣṭamāṃsena garbhasya rathakānāntu nirgamaḥ paridherguṇabhāgena rathakāṃstatra kalpayet
‘చతుర్భాగేణ వా యుతమ్’ అని ఒక గుర్తించిన ప్రతిలో పాఠం; ‘చతుర్భాగేణ సంయుతమ్’ అని మరొక ప్రతిలో. ‘సమ్యక్ కుర్యాత్ ప్రదక్షిణమ్’ మరియు ‘ద్వాత్రింశదంతరే’ అని కూడా కొన్ని గుర్తించిన ప్రతుల్లో పాఠం ఉంది. గర్భగృహం నుండి రథక భాగాల ప్రక్షేపం అష్టమాంశ ప్రమాణంతో ఉండాలి; అక్కడ పరిధి యొక్క గుణ-భాగం (తగిన భిన్నాంశ) ప్రకారం రథక భాగాలను రూపకల్పన చేసి నిర్మించాలి.
Lord Agni (narrating to sage Vasiṣṭha, standard Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Gives proportional rules for ratha (chariot-projection) elements on a temple—how far they project from the garbha and how to set them by circumference-based fractional multiples; also preserves variant manuscript readings useful for textual criticism and practical reconciliation of canons.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Ratha-nirmāṇa: Garbha-offset (1/8) and Paridhi-based Fractional Proportioning (with Pāṭha-bheda)","lookup_keywords":["ratha-nirmāṇa","garbha","aṣṭamāṃśa","paridhi","pāṭha-bheda"],"quick_summary":"Temple ratha projections should emerge from the garbha by one-eighth measure, and other ratha components are proportioned using the circumference with appropriate fractional multiples; the verse notes manuscript variants, signaling flexibility in applied canons."}
Concept: Śāstric practice accommodates transmission variance (pāṭha-bheda) while preserving proportional intent through stable fractional geometry.
Application: When manuscripts differ, reconcile by checking the governing measure (paridhi/circumference) and ensuring ratha offsets maintain the intended 1/8 projection and coherent circumambulatory clearance.
Khanda Section: Vāstu-śāstra / Ratha-nirmāṇa (Chariot design and measurement canons)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A ground plan of a temple with ratha projections stepping out from the central garbha; the architect marks an 1/8 offset and uses a compass/string to measure circumference for setting further projections; marginal notes show variant readings from different manuscripts.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, stylized temple plan with stepped ratha projections, sthapati using a string-compass around the plan to mark paridhi, palm-leaf manuscript with variant lines indicated, earthy tones and bold contours.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, ornate temple plan motif with gold accents on ratha facets, architect holding manuscript and measuring cord, embossed highlights on geometric edges, rich reds and greens.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, highly legible instructional diagram within a painting: garbha core, 1/8 projection marked, circumference arcs drawn, side-notes indicating pāṭha-bheda, fine linework and clarity.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, workshop scene with draftsmen; a circular measuring cord laid around a polygonal plan to compute paridhi; marginal annotations showing alternate textual readings; detailed instruments and textiles."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: This item contains multiple variant readings (चिह्नितपुस्तकपाठः) not part of the main metrical text; analyzed main continuous reading: अष्टमांसेन गर्भस्य रथकानान्तु निर्गमः परिधेर्गुणभागेन रथकांस्तत्र कल्पयेत्. Sandhi: अष्टमांसेन = अष्टम-अंशेन; रथकानान्तु = रथकानाम् + तु; परिधेर्गुणभागेन = परिधेः + गुणभागेन; रथकांस्तत्र = रथकान् + तत्र.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 42 (ratha and pradakṣiṇā-related proportional prescriptions; śikhara and maṇḍapa ratios nearby)
FAQs
It gives a technical proportional rule for chariot construction: chariot components should project from the central core by a one-eighth measure, and other components are to be set out in proportion to the circumference using fractional multiples.
Beyond theology, it preserves applied śāstra—here, measurement science and design principles for vehicles/structures—showing the Agni Purāṇa’s coverage of practical engineering-style canons (māna, proportion, layout) alongside ritual and doctrine.
In Purāṇic framing, correct proportion and precise construction are forms of dhārmic order (ṛta) in material works; building according to śāstric measure is treated as auspicious, reducing defects (doṣa) and supporting merit through disciplined craftsmanship.