Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 32
Chapter 92 — प्रतिष्ठाविधिकथनम्
Narration of the Consecration / Installation Procedure
पाषाणानां शिलाः कार्या इष्टकानां तदर्धतः प्रासादे ऽश्मशिलाः शैले इष्टका इष्टकामये
pāṣāṇānāṃ śilāḥ kāryā iṣṭakānāṃ tadardhataḥ prāsāde 'śmaśilāḥ śaile iṣṭakā iṣṭakāmaye
สำหรับปราสาทที่ก่อด้วยศิลา พึงทำแผ่นศิลาจากศิลา; สำหรับปราสาทอิฐ พึงทำให้มีขนาดเพียงครึ่งหนึ่งของมาตรานั้น ในศาลเจ้าที่สร้างด้วยหิน แผ่นย่อมเป็นหิน ในโครงสร้างหินภูเขาก็เช่นเดียวกัน ส่วนในสิ่งก่อสร้างด้วยอิฐ แผ่นย่อมเป็นอิฐ
Lord Agni (in discourse to the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Material-dependent sizing rule: stone temples use stone slabs; brick temples use slabs at half the stone standard; clarifies appropriate material matching for durability and ritual correctness.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Rule","entry_title":"Material Rule for Śilā/Slab Standards in Stone vs Brick Prāsāda","lookup_keywords":["pāṣāṇa","iṣṭakā","prāsāda","śilā","tadardha","material-standard"],"quick_summary":"Match slab material to the temple’s construction material; for brick structures use half the stone standard, ensuring proportional and structurally suitable components."}
Concept: Appropriateness (yogyatā) of means: sacred form adapts to material conditions without losing order
Application: When planning a shrine, choose slab material and scale based on whether the structure is stone or brick to maintain stability and canonical proportion.
Khanda Section: Vastu-shastra (Prasada-Lakshana / Temple Architecture)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Two adjacent temple construction scenes: one stone prāsāda with stone slabs; one brick prāsāda with smaller, half-standard slabs; a sthapati compares materials and dimensions.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural split-panel: left stone temple with grey slabs, right brick temple with reddish bricks and smaller slabs, sthapati holding measuring rod, traditional ornamental borders","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold detailing on temple outlines, contrasting textures of stone and brick, craftsmen arranging slabs, decorative framing emphasizing sacred architecture","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, instructional comparative chart-like painting: stone vs brick columns, slab sizes shown proportionally, annotations for 'tadardha' (half), clear didactic composition","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, architectural comparison in a courtyard workshop, stacks of stone blocks and bricks, artisans measuring and cutting, fine detail and balanced composition"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":null,"pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तदर्धतः → तद्-अर्धतः; प्रासादे ऽश्मशिलाः → प्रासादे अश्म-शिलाः
Related Themes: Agni Purana 92 (continuation of prāsāda-lakṣaṇa material and measurement rules)
FAQs
It gives a Vāstu-śāstra rule for temple construction: choose slab material according to the building medium (stone for stone temples, brick for brick temples) and reduce the slab standard to half in brick-based construction.
Beyond theology, it preserves practical architectural standards—material selection and proportional rules—showing the Agni Purana’s coverage of applied sciences like Śilpa/Vāstu alongside ritual and doctrine.
By prescribing correct materials and proportions for a prāsāda, the verse implies that orderly, rule-based construction supports the sanctity, stability, and proper consecration of the deity’s abode, thereby enhancing religious merit for patron and builders.