Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 26
Liṅga-māna-ādi-kathana
Measurements and Related Particulars of the Liṅga
भूतेषु च शुभा भूः स्यादग्निष्वाहवनीयकः उक्तायामस्य चार्धांशे नागांशैर् भाजिते क्रमात्
bhūteṣu ca śubhā bhūḥ syādagniṣvāhavanīyakaḥ uktāyāmasya cārdhāṃśe nāgāṃśair bhājite kramāt
ในหมวดธาตุทั้งหลาย แผ่นดิน (ภู) เป็นมงคล; ในบรรดาไฟทั้งหลาย อาหวนียะ (ไฟบูชา) เป็นมงคล อีกทั้งเมื่อเอาอายามะที่กล่าวไว้แล้วมาครึ่งหนึ่ง และแบ่งต่อเนื่องตามส่วนที่เรียกว่า “นาค” ก็จะได้ลำดับที่ต้องการ
Lord Agni (in instruction to Sage Vasiṣṭha, Agni Purana’s primary didactic frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Jyotisha","secondary_vidya":"Vastu","practical_application":"Muhūrta/nimitta selection by auspicious categories (earth element, āhavanīya fire) and by a remainder-division procedure (half-measure divided by nāga portions) used to derive a required sequence for timing/measurement.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Śubha-varga selection (Bhū, Āhavanīya) and nāga-bhāga division of half-āyāma","lookup_keywords":["muhūrta","bhū-śubha","āhavanīya","nāga-aṃśa","ardhāyāma-bhajana"],"quick_summary":"Treat Earth among elements and the Āhavanīya among fires as auspicious classes; then compute the operational sequence by halving the stated measure and dividing successively by nāga-portions."}
Concept: Auspiciousness is systematized through categorical correspondences (bhū, āhavanīya) and numerical operations (division by prescribed parts).
Application: Use the stated computational rule to standardize decision-making in timing/measurement rather than relying on intuition alone.
Khanda Section: Jyotisha (Astrology) / Muhurta & Nakshatra-Pada Calculations
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: śānta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"An astrologer-priest beside a three-fire altar marks the āhavanīya as auspicious, then performs a calculation: halving a measured length and dividing it into nāga-portions on a counting board.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: yajña-śālā with three fires, āhavanīya glowing; priest with stylus and counting marks showing half-measure and nāga divisions; warm ochres and sacred geometry motifs.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: altar with bright āhavanīya flame, gold highlights; priest holding a measuring cord and palm-leaf with division steps; auspicious earth symbols (bhū) in border motifs.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: didactic scene with a clear diagram of half-āyāma and successive nāga-part divisions; priest-astronomer demonstrating the algorithm; neat, instructional layout.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: scholar-priest in a pavilion near a fire altar, using a ruled tablet to divide a segment; attendants observe; fine linework emphasizing calculation tools."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: स्यादग्निष्वाहवनीयकः = syāt + agniṣu + āhavanīyakaḥ; चार्धांशे = ca + ardha-aṃśe; नागांशैर् = nāga-aṃśaiḥ (visarga/raśruti in saṃhitā).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 54 (Jyotiṣa/muhūrta and measurement-remainder subsections)
FAQs
It states auspicious correspondences (Earth among elements; Āhavanīya among fires) and gives a computational instruction: take the stated measure (āyāma), halve it, and divide by specified fractional ‘nāga’ shares to obtain an ordered result used in timing/ritual-astrology.
It blends ritual science (classification of sacred fires, especially Āhavanīya) with technical calculation language typical of Jyotiṣa/muhūrta manuals, showing how the Agni Purana functions as a compendium spanning both liturgy and applied astral computation.
Choosing auspicious correspondences (Earth-element suitability and Āhavanīya as the proper sacrificial fire) and following correct computations is presented as ensuring ritual correctness, thereby supporting purity, efficacy of offerings, and favorable karmic outcomes.