Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 2
Prāsāda-Lakṣaṇa (Characteristics of Temples): Site Division, Proportions, Doorways, Deity-Placement, and Bedha-Doṣa
अद्रिभागेन गर्भः स्यात् पिण्डिका पादविस्तरात् पञ्चभागीकृते क्षेत्रेन्तर्भागे तु पिण्डिका
adribhāgena garbhaḥ syāt piṇḍikā pādavistarāt pañcabhāgīkṛte kṣetrentarbhāge tu piṇḍikā
กัรภะ (ห้องแก่น/ครรภคฤหะ) พึงกำหนดตามมาตรา ‘อทฺริ’; ส่วนปิณฑิกา (ฐานแท่น/ฐานบูชา) กำหนดจากความกว้างหนึ่ง ‘ปาทะ’ เมื่อแบ่งพื้นที่เป็นห้าส่วนแล้ว ให้ตั้งปิณฑิกาไว้ในส่วนด้านในของพื้นที่
Lord Agni (instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purāṇa’s encyclopedic discourse)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Setting out sanctum core (garbha) and pedestal/base (piṇḍikā) using specified measures and plot divisions to ensure correct placement and proportion.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Garbha and Piṇḍikā Placement by Site Division","lookup_keywords":["garbha","pindika","pada-vistara","panchabhaga","site-planning"],"quick_summary":"Determine the sanctum core by the prescribed measure and size the central base from a pāda increment; in a five-part site division, place the piṇḍikā in the inner portion."}
Concept: Sacred geometry: correct centering and proportional bases stabilize both structure and ritual focus.
Application: Use a consistent site-division scheme before fixing sanctum and pedestal; avoid ad-hoc placement.
Khanda Section: Vāstu-śāstra (Temple & Site Planning / Measurements)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Architects draw a five-part grid on the ground; the sanctum square is marked, and the piṇḍikā is placed precisely in the inner zone with measuring rod and cord.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, craftsmen marking a panchabhaga grid with white lines, central inner portion highlighted, piṇḍikā shown as a stepped base, priest supervising with measuring cord, earthy reds and greens","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold accents on measuring tools and pedestal edges, symmetrical composition with five-part site diagram, central piṇḍikā gleaming, attendants holding tāla (measuring rod)","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clean instructional diagram integrated into a narrative scene, labels for garbha and piṇḍikā, precise geometry, soft pastel palette and fine outlines","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, top-down view of a courtyard with a five-part grid, master builder placing the pedestal stone, assistants with cords, intricate textile patterns on garments, architectural marginalia"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: अद्रिभागेन = अद्रि-भागेन; पादविस्तरात् = पाद-विस्तरात्; पञ्चभागीकृते = पञ्च-भागी-कृते; क्षेत्रेन्तर्भागे = क्षेत्र-अन्तर्-भागे.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 104 (continuing prāsāda measurement rules: bhitti/garbha proportions)
FAQs
It gives a vāstu-vidyā rule for laying out the temple’s core: how the garbha (sanctum) is proportioned by a specified measure and how the piṇḍikā (central base/pedestal) is positioned after dividing the site into five parts.
Beyond mythology, the Agni Purāṇa preserves applied technical sciences like vāstu-śāstra—precise planning, proportion, and spatial rules for sacred construction—showing its role as a compendium of practical knowledge.
Correct placement of the garbha and the central base is treated as aligning the shrine with sacred order (dharma of space), supporting purity of worship and the proper “seat” for the deity, thereby enhancing the merit of consecration and daily ritual.
Read Agni Purana in the Vedapath app
Scan the QR code to open this directly in the app, with audio, word-by-word meanings, and more.