Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 32
Pratiṣṭhā-sāmagrī-vidhāna — Prescription of Materials and Conditions for Consecration
हस्तप्रदेशिता दण्डा ध्वजानां पञ्चहस्तकाः वल्मीकाद्दन्तिदन्ताग्रात्तथा वृषभशृङ्गतः
hastapradeśitā daṇḍā dhvajānāṃ pañcahastakāḥ valmīkāddantidantāgrāttathā vṛṣabhaśṛṅgataḥ
เสาธงให้วัดด้วยช่วงมือ; สำหรับธง เสาควรยาวห้าหัสตะ. (มาตรฐานการวัด) ให้ถือเอาจากจอมปลวก จากปลายงาช้าง และจากเขาวัวผู้ด้วย
Lord Agni (instructional narration in the Agni Purana)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","secondary_vidya":"Vastu","practical_application":"Standardizing pole/flag measurements for military standards and field equipment; establishing reference measures from natural exemplars.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Dhvaja-daṇḍa-pramāṇa (Pole measurement standards)","lookup_keywords":["danda","dhvaja","pancha-hasta","pradesha","valmika"],"quick_summary":"Fixes the pole length for flags at five cubits and notes traditional reference points for measurement standards (anthill, elephant tusk tip, bull horn)."}
Weapon Type: Dhvaja/standard (field equipment)
Concept: Pramāṇa as a foundation of applied sciences—reliable measures derived from agreed standards and exemplars.
Application: Ensures interoperability of equipment across artisans/armies and reduces error in manufacture.
Khanda Section: Dhanurveda (Military Science: standards, measurements, and field equipment)
Primary Rasa: Shanta
Secondary Rasa: Veera
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A military workshop: artisans shaping a long pole, measuring it to five hastas; nearby are an anthill, an elephant tusk tip, and a bull horn shown as traditional reference exemplars; a finished flag standard stands upright.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, martial workshop with craftsmen, a tall dhvaja-daṇḍa being measured with hand-span marks, symbolic anthill and animals (elephant, bull) at margins, earthy palette, bold outlines.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, heroic standard-bearer beside a gold-highlighted pole, artisan measuring rod with embossed gold, stylized elephant tusk and bull horn motifs, rich reds and greens.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, technical scene: stepwise depiction of measuring pradeśa and hasta, pole cut to five hastas, labeled reference objects (valmika, dantidanta-agra, vṛṣabha-śṛṅga), neat composition.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, atelier-like detail: carpenters, measuring cord, realistic textures of wood and horn, elephant in background, anthill near ground, fine linework."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: वल्मीकाद् → वल्मीकात्; दन्तिदन्ताग्रात् = दन्तिनः + दन्ताग्रात् (genitive tatpuruṣa + ablative).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 95 (Dhvaja/daṇḍa pramāṇa cluster)
FAQs
It gives Dhanurveda-style specifications for dhvaja (military standards): the pole is measured by hand-span and set to a five-hasta length, with traditional reference-points (anthill, elephant tusk-tip, bull horn) used as recognized measuring/selection standards.
Beyond theology, it preserves practical military-technical details—units of measure, standardized lengths, and material/reference norms for equipment—showing the text’s wide coverage of governance and warfare alongside ritual and devotion.
While primarily technical, standardizing dhvaja and equipment aligns the army’s actions with prescribed order (dharma), implying that disciplined, rule-based conduct in public duties reduces disorder and supports righteous governance.