Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 30
Pratiṣṭhā-sāmagrī-vidhāna — Prescription of Materials and Conditions for Consecration
इन्द्रायुधोपमा रक्ता कृष्णा धूम्रा शशिप्रभा शुक्लाभा हेमवर्णा च पताका स्फाटिकोपमा
indrāyudhopamā raktā kṛṣṇā dhūmrā śaśiprabhā śuklābhā hemavarṇā ca patākā sphāṭikopamā
ธง (ธวชะ) อาจมีลักษณะดุจสายรุ้ง หรือเป็นสีแดง สีดำ สีหมอกควัน สว่างดุจแสงจันทร์ ขาวเรืองรอง หรือสีทอง; และชายธงส่วนปลายอาจดูประหนึ่งผลึกแก้วใส (สฺผฏิก) ด้วย
Lord Agni (teaching in the Agni Purana’s instructional dialogue)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Puja-vidhi","practical_application":"Selecting ritually appropriate banner/pennon colors and appearances for temple processions, festivals, and consecration rites.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Patākā-varṇa-bheda (Banner color-types)","lookup_keywords":["pataka","dhvaja","varna","indraayudha","sphatika"],"quick_summary":"Prescribes auspicious visual types for ritual banners—rainbow-like, red, black, smoky, moon-bright, white, golden, and crystal-like—used to align temple display with ritual aesthetics."}
Alamkara Type: Upamā
Concept: Maṅgala-lakṣaṇa: external forms (color/shine) as carriers of ritual auspiciousness.
Application: Use prescribed banner appearances to maintain śubha-nimitta and visual order in worship settings.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Dhvaja–pataka lakshana / ritual banner descriptions)
Primary Rasa: Adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: Shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A temple courtyard with a tall banner-staff; multiple pennons displayed showing rainbow sheen, red, black, smoky grey, moonlit white, bright white, gold, and crystal-like translucence.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, flat yet rich colors, temple flagstaff with multiple patākās in distinct hues (rainbow, red, black, smoky, moon-bright, white, gold, crystal), priests in white mundu, lamp-lit courtyard, ornate borders, sacred calm.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central dhvaja-stambha with gold-leaf highlights, patākā in hema-varṇa and śuklābhā emphasized, jeweled ornamentation, temple arch framing, deep reds and greens, embossed gold work.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, clean linework and soft shading, instructional layout showing labeled banner color-types (indrayudha, rakta, kṛṣṇa, dhūmra, śaśiprabhā, śuklābhā, hema, sphāṭika), temple setting minimal, elegant palette.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed textile rendering of pennons with subtle gradients (smoky, moon-bright), attendants holding banners, architectural pavilion background, fine brushwork, restrained gold accents."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Hamsadhwani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: इन्द्रायुधोपमा = इन्द्रायुध + उपमा; स्फाटिकोपमा = स्फाटिक + उपमा.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 95 (Dhvaja–patākā lakṣaṇa context)
FAQs
It enumerates acceptable (and descriptively classified) banner/flag color-appearances used in ritual/temple contexts—guidance for dhvaja/patākā specification in pūjā-vidhi.
By preserving practical, design-level ritual standards (materials/visual qualities like rainbow, moon-bright, crystal-like), it shows the text’s coverage beyond theology—into applied liturgical aesthetics and temple/ritual paraphernalia.
Correctly fashioned and appropriately characterized ritual insignia (like banners) supports orderly worship and auspiciousness in sacred space, aligning external symbols with devotional intent.