Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 24
Pratiṣṭhā-sāmagrī-vidhāna — Prescription of Materials and Conditions for Consecration
तद्वहिर्मेखलास्तिस्रो वेदवह्नियमाङ्गुलैः अङ्गुलैः षड्भिरेका वा कुण्डाकारास्तु मेखलाः
tadvahirmekhalāstisro vedavahniyamāṅgulaiḥ aṅgulaiḥ ṣaḍbhirekā vā kuṇḍākārāstu mekhalāḥ
ภายนอกนั้นพึงมีเมขลา (แถบล้อม) สามชั้น ตามหน่วยนิ้วที่กำหนดสำหรับเวทีและไฟ; หรืออีกนัยหนึ่งอาจมีเพียงชั้นเดียวกว้างหกนิ้ว. เมขลาควรทำให้สอดคล้องกับรูปทรงของกุณฑะ
Lord Agni (in instruction to sage Vasiṣṭha, typical Agni Purana discourse frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Tantra","secondary_vidya":"Vastu","practical_application":"Constructing one or three mekhalā (enclosing bands) around the kuṇḍa with correct aṅgula measurements and matching the kuṇḍa’s shape, for containment and ritual boundary-setting.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Mekhalā-nirmāṇa around kuṇḍa (bands and aṅgula measures)","lookup_keywords":["mekhalā","aṅgula","vedi","vahni","kuṇḍākāra","paridhi"],"quick_summary":"Around the fire-pit, create three measured enclosing bands, or alternatively one band of six aṅgulas; the band(s) must follow the kuṇḍa’s shape to properly define the ritual boundary."}
Concept: Maryādā (boundedness) is integral to sacred action; the mekhalā functions as a protective and concentrative limit for the rite.
Application: Mark and build the mekhalā precisely in aṅgulas; ensure it mirrors the kuṇḍa shape to prevent ritual ‘leakage’ and maintain procedural correctness.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Vedi-Kunda-Nirmana and Homa-vidhana)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A top-down view of a kuṇḍa with either three concentric mekhalā bands or a single thicker band of six aṅgulas, each band precisely measured and matching the kuṇḍa’s outline.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, concentric mekhalā bands around a glowing kuṇḍa, thick black outlines, aṅgula measurement marks stylized, ritual floor patterns, restrained palette.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-leaf outlining the mekhalā rings, central fire-pit luminous, ornamental border, emphasis on concentric symmetry and sacred containment.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style instructional diagram, scale bar in aṅgulas, two variants shown (three bands vs one six-aṅgula band), crisp geometry and soft color washes.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, artisan measuring with a ruler and cord, drawing concentric bands around a pit, detailed tools and textures, precise top-down architectural rendering."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhoopali","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तद्वहिः = तत् बहिः (द् + ब → द्व्). मेखलास्तिस्रः = मेखलाः तिस्रः (आः + त → आस्त). सन्धिः: स्यान्न/स्याच्छ इत्यादिवत्। कुण्डाकारास्तु = कुण्ड-आकाराः तु (आः + त → आस्त).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 95 (kuṇḍa-lakṣaṇa and yantra/maṇḍala context where mekhalā recurs)
FAQs
It specifies the design rule for the mekhalā (encircling band) around the fire-pit/altar: either three bands measured in prescribed aṅgula-units, or one band of six aṅgulas, shaped to match the kunda.
It preserves precise ritual-architectural specifications—unit-based measurements and proportional design—showing the text’s coverage of practical liturgical engineering alongside theology and devotion.
Correct proportion and placement of the kunda’s boundary-bands supports a properly constituted homa space, understood to ensure ritual purity, accuracy of offerings, and the intended merit (puṇya) of the sacrifice.