Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 42
Chapter 93 — वास्तुपूजादिविधानम्
Procedure for Vāstu-worship and Related Rites
उक्तानुक्ते तु वै वास्तुः पञ्चहस्तप्रमाणतः गृहप्रासादमानेन वास्तुः श्रेष्ठस्तु सर्वदा
uktānukte tu vai vāstuḥ pañcahastapramāṇataḥ gṛhaprāsādamānena vāstuḥ śreṣṭhastu sarvadā
ไม่ว่าจะกล่าวไว้หรือมิได้กล่าวไว้ มาตราวาสตุพึงถือเป็นห้าหัสตะ; และเมื่อกำหนดขนาดเรือนกับปราสาทตามนั้น มาตราวาสตุนั้นย่อมเป็นเลิศเสมอ
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha, Agni Purāṇa’s primary didactic frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Establishes a default measurement module (pañca-hasta) for planning when explicit measures are absent; helps standardize house/temple dimensions and proportional scaling.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Pañca-hasta as default vāstu-pramāṇa module","lookup_keywords":["pañca-hasta","pramāṇa","gṛha-māna","prāsāda-māna","vāstu-śreṣṭha"],"quick_summary":"When specific measurements are not stated, adopt five cubits as the planning unit. Apply it consistently to house and temple dimensions for an optimal, standardized layout."}
Concept: Pramāṇa (right measure) is the basis of excellence (śreṣṭhatā) in built form.
Application: When uncertain, choose a consistent module (5 hasta) and scale all dimensions proportionally to avoid disharmony.
Khanda Section: Vāstu-śāstra (Architecture, House/Temple Measurement and Planning)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A sthapati demonstrates a five-cubit measuring rod/cord, scaling a house and a temple plan on a drawing board; grids and dimension marks are visible.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, architect holding measuring staff marked in cubits, large plan diagram with bold lines, assistants stretching a cord, minimal background, earthy palette","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, ornate depiction of Viśvakarmā-like architect with gold-highlighted measuring rod, plan of prāsāda with gold accents, rich decorative frame","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional scene: labeled ‘5 hasta’ module, clean architectural plan with proportional notes, soft colors and precise linework","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, workshop scene with ruler/cord, draftsman drawing temple elevation and plan, detailed tools and manuscripts, refined perspective"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Hamsadhwani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: uktānukte = ukta + anukte; śreṣṭhastu = śreṣṭhaḥ + tu.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 93 (vāstu planning context); Agni Purana 94 (foundation laying that presupposes correct measures)
FAQs
It gives a practical vāstu-śāstra rule: use a five-hasta (five-cubit) module as the default authoritative unit to proportion houses and prāsādas (temple/palace structures), even when a specific rule is not separately stated.
By prescribing standardized architectural measurement (pramāṇa) for domestic and sacred buildings, it shows the Agni Purāṇa’s coverage of applied sciences (śilpa/vāstu) alongside theology—one hallmark of its encyclopedic scope.
In Purāṇic vāstu, correct proportion and measure are linked to harmony and auspiciousness; following the approved pramāṇa is treated as supporting dharma in construction, promoting wellbeing and reducing inauspicious architectural faults (doṣa).