Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 10
Chapter 42 — प्रासादलक्षणकथनं
Prāsāda-lakṣaṇa-kathana: Characteristics of the Temple/Prāsāda
प्रतिमायाः प्रमाणन कर्तव्या पिण्डिका शुभा गर्भस्तु पिण्डिकार्धेन गर्भमानास्तु भित्तयः
pratimāyāḥ pramāṇana kartavyā piṇḍikā śubhā garbhastu piṇḍikārdhena garbhamānāstu bhittayaḥ
Dapat itakda ang sukat ng rebultong sinasamba (pratimā) ayon sa wastong proporsiyon. Gawin ang mapalad na patungang-batayan (piṇḍikā); ang panloob na silid ng santuwaryo (garbha) ay sukatang kalahati ng sukat ng batayan, at ang mga pader ay sukatang ayon sa sukat ng garbha.
Lord Agni (teaching Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Shilpa","secondary_vidya":"Vastu","practical_application":"Gives a proportional chain from icon-measurement to pedestal (piṇḍikā), then to sanctum (garbha) and wall thickness/measure—used to size the garbhagṛha and its enclosing structure in harmony with the installed image.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Pratimā-pramāṇa with Piṇḍikā–Garbha–Bhitti Proportions","lookup_keywords":["pratimā-pramāṇa","piṇḍikā","garbha","garbhagṛha","bhitti-māna"],"quick_summary":"Determine icon measurements first; construct an auspicious pedestal; size the sanctum as half the pedestal measure, and proportion the walls according to the sanctum’s measure."}
Concept: Pramāṇa (right measure) is auspicious (śubha) and is the basis of sacred efficacy in built form.
Application: Start design from the icon and its base; derive the garbhagṛha and wall measures to avoid disproportion that would be considered inauspicious in pratimā-pratiṣṭhā contexts.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Pratima-lakshana (Iconography and image-measurements)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A measured icon on a pedestal; a plan of the garbhagṛha drawn to half the pedestal measure; walls marked with proportional ticks, showing the derivation sequence.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, pratimā on piṇḍikā with bold outlines, sthapati marking half-measure for garbha on a floor diagram, warm earthy palette, temple interior setting.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, pratimā and piṇḍikā emphasized with gold relief, sanctum plan diagram beside, ornamental borders, sacred workshop feel.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, technical diagram aesthetic: icon with measurement lines, pedestal labeled, garbha rectangle at half-scale, walls indicated, fine delicate lines and soft colors.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, architect and assistants measuring an idol and pedestal with rulers, a drawn sanctum plan on paper, detailed textiles and instruments, subtle shading."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: गर्भस्तु = गर्भः + तु; पिण्डिकार्धेन = पिण्डिका + अर्धेन; गर्भमानास्तु = गर्भमानाः + तु
Related Themes: Agni Purana 42 (pratimā-lakṣaṇa and prāsāda-māna continuity)
FAQs
It gives a proportional rule for temple-icon installation: establish the idol’s canonical measurements, make an auspicious pedestal (piṇḍikā), size the sanctum chamber (garbha/garbhagṛha) at half the pedestal’s measure, and proportion the walls to the sanctum.
Beyond mythology, it preserves applied śāstra—pratimā-lakṣaṇa and vastu-based architectural proportioning—showing the Agni Purana as a practical manual for temple design, icon installation, and ritual construction norms.
Correct proportioning of the pedestal, sanctum, and walls is treated as śubha (auspicious) and dharma-aligned, supporting a ritually pure abode for the deity and thereby enhancing the merit (puṇya) of construction and worship.