Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 5
Chapter 42 — प्रासादलक्षणकथनं
Prāsāda-lakṣaṇa-kathana: Characteristics of the Temple/Prāsāda
शिखरेण समं कार्यमग्रे जगति विस्तरं द्विगुणेनापि कर्तव्यं यथाशोभानुरूपतः
śikhareṇa samaṃ kāryamagre jagati vistaraṃ dviguṇenāpi kartavyaṃ yathāśobhānurūpataḥ
Ang lapad ng jagatī (platapormang nasa unahan) ay dapat gawing kapantay ng sukat ng śikhara; o maaari ring gawing doble ang lapad, ayon sa angkop na ganda at proporsiyon.
Lord Agni (in instruction to the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Determining the proportional width of the jagatī (front platform) relative to the śikhara for aesthetic harmony and functional approach space.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Jagatī-vistāra proportional to Śikhara (equal or double)","lookup_keywords":["jagatī","śikhara","vistāra","dviguṇa","proportion beauty"],"quick_summary":"Set the front platform width equal to the śikhara’s measure, or expand it up to twice that, choosing the option that best fits the intended visual proportion and approach space."}
Temple Type: Nagara
Concept: Śobhā (aesthetic rightness) as a criterion alongside fixed proportion.
Application: Choose equal vs. double platform width based on site constraints, procession needs, and desired visual emphasis of the superstructure.
Khanda Section: Vastu-shastra (Temple Architecture and Measurements)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A temple elevation sketch showing śikhara above and a broad jagatī in front, with two alternative widths marked: equal to śikhara and double, with a sthapati indicating the more beautiful option.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, stylized nagara temple with prominent śikhara, broad jagatī platform in front, two measured options shown as decorative bands, sthapati gesturing to proportional harmony","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, richly ornamented temple façade, gold highlighting the jagatī edges and śikhara contours, inset showing equal vs double width, devotional architectural grandeur","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, didactic architectural plate: temple elevation with measurement annotations, two jagatī widths, neat borders and soft colors","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, architect presenting two proportional designs to a patron, detailed temple rendering with precise platform widths, refined courtly setting"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: कार्यमग्रे = कार्यम् + अग्रे; द्विगुणेनापि = द्विगुणेन + अपि; यथाशोभानुरूपतः = यथा + शोभा + अनुरूपतः
Related Themes: Agni Purana 42 (jagatī, śikhara, prāsāda māna rules)
FAQs
It gives a Vāstu-śāstra proportional rule: the front jagatī (plinth/platform breadth) should match the śikhara’s measure, or may be doubled, to maintain harmonious temple design.
By prescribing precise architectural proportions (jagatī–śikhara sizing), it shows the Agni Purana functioning as a practical manual that includes applied sciences like Vāstu alongside theology and ritual.
In Purāṇic temple-building thought, correct proportion and beauty are part of dharmic construction; a well-proportioned shrine supports proper worship and is treated as meritorious (puṇya) due to its suitability for divine residence and ritual use.