Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 21
Chapter 106 — नगरादिवास्तुः
Vāstu Concerning Towns and Related Settlements
इ इति ग पूर्वत इति ख दक्षिणे चोत्तरेण चेति ख , ग , घ च नगरस्य हीति ख , छ च रोगाद्यैर् अभिभूयते इति ज दक्षिणायां त्विति ग , घ , झ च देवतालयमिति झ शालालिन्दप्रभेदत इति क शतद्वयन्तु जायन्ते पञ्चाशत् पञ्च तेष्वपि त्रिशालानि तु चत्वारि द्विशालानि तु पञ्चधा
i iti ga pūrvata iti kha dakṣiṇe cottareṇa ceti kha , ga , gha ca nagarasya hīti kha , cha ca rogādyair abhibhūyate iti ja dakṣiṇāyāṃ tviti ga , gha , jha ca devatālayamiti jha śālālindaprabhedata iti ka śatadvayantu jāyante pañcāśat pañca teṣvapi triśālāni tu catvāri dviśālāni tu pañcadhā
ด้วยความแตกต่างของศาลาและอลินทะ (เฉลียง) จึงเกิดชนิดต่าง ๆ สองร้อยแบบ และยังมีเพิ่มอีกห้าสิบห้าแบบ ในบรรดานั้น เรือนสามศาลามีสี่ชนิด และเรือนสองศาลามีห้าชนิด
Lord Agni (instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Enumerative typology for house-plan variants derived from permutations of halls (śālā) and verandah (alinda), aiding architects in selecting standardized layouts; specifies subtype counts for triśālā and dviśālā.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Śālā–Alinda permutations: 200 + 55 types; Triśālā (4) and Dviśālā (5) subtypes","lookup_keywords":["shala-bheda","alinda","trishala","dvishala","vastu-types"],"quick_summary":"From combinations of halls and verandah arise 200 types, plus 55 more; within these, three-hall houses have four subtypes and two-hall houses have five subtypes—indicating a large, systematic design space."}
Concept: Śāstric knowledge often proceeds by saṅkhyā (enumeration): cataloging permutations to ensure completeness and correct choice in practice.
Application: Use typological catalogs to match site constraints, patron needs, and functional zoning; treat alinda placement as a key variable for access, shade, and circulation.
Khanda Section: Vāstu-śāstra / Nagarādi-nirmāṇa (Town-planning and building typology)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A compendium-like tableau: many small plan-diagrams arranged in grids, showing permutations of śālā and alinda; highlighted panels for the four triśālā and five dviśālā variants; an architect’s measuring tools nearby.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: grid of stylized house-plan icons with thick outlines; alinda shown as projecting bands; a central medallion naming counts (200, 55, 4, 5) in Sanskrit calligraphy; earthy reds and yellows.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: ornate catalog panel with gold borders; selected plan-types embossed; numerals rendered as decorative Sanskrit/Devanagari; rich jewel tones and gold-leaf emphasis on key variants.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: instructional manuscript page aesthetic—clean grids of plans, labeled triśālā (4) and dviśālā (5); precise geometry, muted palette, scholarly feel.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: atelier scene with draftsmen drawing numerous floor plans on paper; patron reviewing; plans arranged in stacks; fine detailing of instruments and architectural motifs."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Charukesi","pace":"fast","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: cottareṇa → ca + uttareṇa; hīti → hi + iti; rogādyair → roga-ādyaiḥ; tviti → tu + iti; devatālayamiti → devatā-ālayam + iti; śatadvayantu → śata-dvayam + tu.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 106.20 (śālā typology introduction); Agni Purana 106 (nagarādi-nirmāṇa/vāstu continuation)
FAQs
It gives a Vāstu-śāstra enumeration method: how many architectural types are produced by combining/subdividing śālā (hall/house forms) and alinda (verandah/portico), and the standard subtypes of triśālā and dviśālā.
Instead of only theology, it preserves a technical cataloging scheme used in classical Indian architecture—counting and organizing building-plans (including temple-related structures) as part of a broader compendium of applied sciences.
By prescribing standardized, auspicious building-types (including devatālaya planning), it supports dharmic settlement and proper sacred construction, which is traditionally held to promote prosperity, health, and ritual purity for the community.