Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 20
नगरादिवास्तुकथनं
Discourse on Vāstu for Cities and Related Settlements
कुड्यपृथुपजङ्घोच्चात् कुड्यन्तु त्रिगुणोच्छयं कुड्यसूत्रसमा पृथ्वी वीथी भेदादनेकधा
kuḍyapṛthupajaṅghoccāt kuḍyantu triguṇocchayaṃ kuḍyasūtrasamā pṛthvī vīthī bhedādanekadhā
จากความหนาของกำแพงและความสูงของชั้นฐาน (ปชังคา) ให้ทำความสูงกำแพงเป็นสามเท่า ระดับพื้นดินพึงทำให้เสมอกับเส้นกำหนดกำแพง (กุฑยา-สูตร/เส้นเชือก) ส่วนวีถี (ถนน/ทางเดิน) มีได้หลายชนิดตามการจำแนก
Lord Agni (teaching Vāstu principles to the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Determining wall height from thickness and base-course; ensuring level ground by string-line; classifying and laying out vīthīs (streets/corridors) in a complex.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Kuḍyocchaya-niyama and vīthī-bheda (wall elevation rule and corridor/street classifications)","lookup_keywords":["kuḍyapṛthutva","pajaṅghā","rajju-sūtra (string-line)","bhūmi-samatā","vīthī-bheda"],"quick_summary":"Gives a construction rule: wall elevation is three times based on wall thickness/base-course; ground must be leveled to the string-line; vīthīs are laid out in multiple classified types."}
Concept: Samatā (level) and pramāṇa (measure) are dharmic safeguards in building—correct lines produce stability and auspicious circulation.
Application: On-site: set a string-line datum, level the ground to it, compute wall height by the stated multiplier, then choose vīthī types appropriate to traffic/ritual movement.
Khanda Section: Vāstu-śāstra (Architecture, measurement, and layout)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Builders stretching a string-line along a plinth, measuring wall thickness and base-course height, then raising a wall to triple height; a plan shows branching vīthīs of different widths/types around a temple complex.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, construction scene with artisans, taut string-line across plinth, stepped base-course, multiple corridors drawn as bands around the shrine, earthy reds and yellows.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, temple compound with gold-highlighted wall and plinth, craftsmen with measuring cord, corridors rendered symmetrically, ornate border and rich colors.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, technical illustration: section view of wall showing thickness, pajaṅghā, and 3× height annotation; top view showing vīthī classifications with labels.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, architectural workshop: masons and a master with measuring cord, detailed brick/stone texture, plan sheet showing corridor network, refined calligraphy notes."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bilahari","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: कुड्यपृथुपजङ्घोच्चात् = कुड्य + पृथु + उपजङ्घा + उच्चात्; कुड्यन्तु = कुड्यम् + तु; त्रिगुणोच्छयम् = त्रि + गुण + उच्चयम्; भेदादनेकधा = भेदात् + अनेकधा
Related Themes: Agni Purana 105.19 (component measures); Agni Purana 105.17 (type canon context)
FAQs
It gives a Vāstu-śāstra proportional rule for wall elevation (height set as threefold based on foundational measures) and stresses accurate leveling using a string-line guideline (kuḍya-sūtra), alongside indicating systematic classification of streets/corridors (vīthī).
Beyond theology, the Agni Purana preserves applied sciences: construction geometry, proportional canons, and urban/temple planning terminology—showing it functions as a compendium of technical knowledge used by builders and planners.
In Purāṇic Vāstu, correct proportion and level alignment are treated as dhārmic order in built space—supporting auspiciousness, stability, and the merit associated with properly constructed dwellings or sacred structures.