Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 34
Chapter 61 — द्वारप्रतिष्ठाध्वजारोहाणादिविधिः
Gateway Installation, Flag Hoisting, and Allied Rites
दण्डाग्राद्धरणीं यावद्धस्तैकं विस्तरेण तु महाध्वजः सर्वदः स्यात्तुर्यांशाद्धीनतोर्चितः
daṇḍāgrāddharaṇīṃ yāvaddhastaikaṃ vistareṇa tu mahādhvajaḥ sarvadaḥ syātturyāṃśāddhīnatorcitaḥ
หากวัดจากปลายเสาธงลงถึงพื้นแล้วมีความกว้างหนึ่งหัตถ์ เรียกว่า ‘มหาธวชะ’ และกล่าวว่าให้ผลประโยชน์ทั้งปวง หากลดลงหนึ่งในสี่ส่วนถือว่าด้อยกว่า แต่ยังคงควรแก่การบูชา.
Lord Agni (in instruction to sage Vasiṣṭha, per the common Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Shilpa","secondary_vidya":"Puja-vidhi","practical_application":"Standardizing dhvaja dimensions for temple ritual use, classifying a banner as mahā-dhvaja and judging acceptable inferiority for worship.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Mahā-dhvaja: breadth standard and gradation","lookup_keywords":["mahā-dhvaja","hasta","vिस्तार (breadth)","dhvaja-lakṣaṇa","inferior (hīna)"],"quick_summary":"A dhvaja whose breadth is one hasta (measured along the pole-to-ground span context) is termed mahā-dhvaja and grants all benefits; if reduced by one-fourth it is inferior but still worship-worthy."}
Concept: Śāstric proportion (pramāṇa) governs ritual efficacy; even suboptimal forms retain conditional sanctity when properly worshipped.
Application: When commissioning banners, aim for mahā-dhvaja standard; if constrained, maintain at least the worship-eligible minimum and perform due pūjā.
Khanda Section: Ritual Standards and Iconography (Dhvaja–lakṣaṇa / Temple-Ritual Implements)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A measuring scene: a priest-craftsman team measures a banner’s breadth in hasta units, labeling it mahā-dhvaja; a second banner is shown reduced by one-fourth yet still offered worship.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, stylized craftsmen with measuring rod (hasta), two dhvajas side-by-side, temple courtyard, clear proportion emphasis, lamps and ritual vessels","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, gold accents on measuring marks and banner borders, mahā-dhvaja prominently centered, smaller inferior banner to the side, temple arch framing","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, diagrammatic clarity with hasta grid, annotations-like visual cues, calm instructional mood, minimal ornamentation","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, precise measurement activity with rulers and textiles, architectural depth, inscriptions on scroll indicating ‘mahā-dhvaja’ and ‘hīna’"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: दण्डाग्राद्धरणीम् = दण्डाग्रात् + धरणीम्; यावद्धस्तैकम् = यावत् + हस्तैकम्; स्यात्तुर्यांशात् = स्यात् + तुर्यांशात्; धीनतोर्चितः = हीनतः + अर्चितः (संहितायां ‘तो’ संयोग).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 61.33-37 (dhvaja materials, measures, installation, adhivāsa)
FAQs
It gives pramāṇa (measurement) rules for classifying a ceremonial/temple banner: one-hasta breadth defines a mahādhvaja; a reduction by one-fourth makes it an inferior grade, though still worshippable.
Beyond mythology, it preserves practical standards for ritual material culture—exact proportions and classifications of temple implements—showing the text’s coverage of vastu-style measurement science and pūjā procedure.
Correct proportion and proper honoring of the dhvaja are presented as merit-bearing: the ‘mahādhvaja’ is said to grant comprehensive benefits, while even an inferior banner remains ritually valid when duly worshipped.