Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 36
वागीश्वरीपूजा
The Worship of Vāgīśvarī
वीथीका हस्तमात्रन्तु स्वस्तिकैर् वहुभिर्वृता तद्वदुपकण्ठयुतानीति ख , ञ च हस्तमात्राणि द्वाराणि विक्षु वृत्तं सपद्मकम्
vīthīkā hastamātrantu svastikair vahubhirvṛtā tadvadupakaṇṭhayutānīti kha , ña ca hastamātrāṇi dvārāṇi vikṣu vṛttaṃ sapadmakam
Ang pasilyo (vīthikā) ay dapat isang hasta lamang ang lapad at napapalibutan ng maraming motibong svastika. Gayundin, ang dalawang uri na tinatawag na kha at ña ay dapat gawin na may nakausling gilid-na-leeg (upakaṇṭha). Ang mga pintuan ay dapat ding sukat na isang hasta; at sa mga panandang patpat (vikṣu) ay iguhit ang bilog na diyagram kasama ang lotus (padma).
Lord Agni (teaching Vāstu principles to the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Temple planning: fixing corridor and doorway widths, and prescribing auspicious decorative/diagrammatic markings for layout control.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Vīthikā-pramāṇa, dvāra-māna, svastika-bhūṣaṇa and padma-vṛtta rekhā","lookup_keywords":["vīthikā","hasta-māna","svastika","dvāra-pramāṇa","padma-maṇḍala"],"quick_summary":"Set the corridor and door width to one hasta; ornament borders with repeated svastikas, and mark out a circular padma-diagram on the layout rods/markers for accurate and auspicious planning."}
Concept: Ritual efficacy is supported by correct measure (māna) and auspicious marking (maṅgala-cihna) in sacred construction.
Application: Use standardized modules (hasta) and auspicious diagrams to align craft practice with sacred intent.
Khanda Section: Vāstu-Śāstra (Temple architecture, maṇḍala design, measurements and decorative motifs)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A temple architect lays out a corridor and doorway with one-hasta measure, drawing repeated svastikas along the border and a circular lotus diagram on measuring rods/ground plan.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural aesthetic, warm earthy palette, sthapati with palm-leaf manual and measuring rod, corridor plan on floor, repeated svastika border motifs, circular padma diagram, stylized architectural lines, flat yet ornate composition","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, sthapati and assistants measuring a vīthikā and dvāra with one-hasta scale, heavy gold leaf highlighting svastika border and lotus-in-circle diagram, rich reds and greens, temple backdrop","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, clean linework showing technical layout: one-hasta corridor and door, svastika border pattern, circular padma diagram on vikṣu rods, labeled architectural elements, muted elegant colors","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed workshop scene: architect with measuring tools, ground plan with svastika border and lotus circle, fine architectural rendering, delicate borders, naturalistic figures"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":null,"pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: hastamātrantu = hasta-mātram tu; svastikair vahubhir = svastikaiḥ bahubhiḥ; tadvadupakaṇṭhayutānīti = tadvat upakaṇṭha-yutāni iti; sapadmakam = sa-padmakam; vikṣu read as dikṣu (orthographic/variant).
Related Themes: Agni Purana Vāstu-Śāstra sections on māna-pramāṇa and maṇḍala-vinyāsa (same khanda context)
FAQs
It gives Vāstu-vidyā specifications: corridor and doorway measures (one hasta) and the prescribed use of auspicious motifs like svastika and lotus in architectural marking/design.
Beyond mythic narration, it preserves practical architectural standards—units of measure, named design-types (kha/ña), and symbolic floor/threshold diagrams—showing the text’s coverage of applied sciences like Vāstu.
Using auspicious symbols (svastika, lotus) and correct proportions is traditionally held to invite śubha (well-being) and protect the dwelling/temple space from inauspicious influences.