Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 19
Chapter 42 — प्रासादलक्षणकथनं
Prāsāda-lakṣaṇa-kathana: Characteristics of the Temple/Prāsāda
विस्ताराद्द्विगुणं द्वारं कर्तव्यं तु सुशोभनं उदुम्बरौ तदूर्ध्वञ्च न्यसेच्छाखां सुमङ्गलैः
vistārāddviguṇaṃ dvāraṃ kartavyaṃ tu suśobhanaṃ udumbarau tadūrdhvañca nyasecchākhāṃ sumaṅgalaiḥ
دروازہ چوڑائی کے مقابلے میں دوگنی اونچائی کا نہایت خوش نما بنانا چاہیے۔ اُدُمبَر کی لکڑی کے دروازہ ستون بنا کر اس کے اوپر نہایت مبارک نشان کے طور پر شُبھ شاخ رکھنی چاہیے۔
Lord Agni (in instruction to Sage Vashistha; Vastu-vidhi discourse)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Residential/temple doorway proportioning, material choice (udumbara), and auspicious lintel-emblem placement during dvara-pratishtha.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Dvāra-māna and Udumbara-śākhā Maṅgala-nyāsa","lookup_keywords":["dvāra-māna","udumbara","dvara-pratishtha","śākhā-nyāsa","maṅgala-lakṣaṇa"],"quick_summary":"Make the doorway aesthetically correct by keeping height twice the width; use udumbara wood and place an auspicious branch above as a protective and prosperity-invoking emblem."}
Concept: Maṅgala and māna (auspiciousness and proportion) stabilize space and invite śrī (well-being).
Application: Use correct measurements and auspicious materials/markers to reduce inauspicious entry and enhance perceived harmony of the built space.
Khanda Section: Vastu-vidya (Griha-nirmana & Dvara-pratishtha)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A craftsman measures a doorway so its height is twice its width; udumbara wood posts are set, and an auspicious branch is fixed above the lintel as a maṅgala sign.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, warm earthy palette, artisans installing udumbara doorposts, sacred branch tied above lintel with ritual threads, stylized architecture, flat perspective, decorative borders.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, doorway with rich ornament, gold-leaf highlights on lintel and maṅgala branch, udumbara wood texture, priests and sthapati holding measuring rod, jewel-toned background.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, clean linework showing measurement ratio 2:1, labeled doorway parts, udumbara posts, auspicious branch above, instructional composition with subtle gold accents.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed workshop scene with measuring tools, carpenters fitting udumbara frame, delicate floral branch above doorway, architectural precision, fine textiles and patterned floor."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shree","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: विस्ताराद्→विस्तारात् (द् + द्वि = द्द्वि); तदूर्ध्वञ्च→तत् ऊर्ध्वम् च; न्यसेच्छाखाम्→न्यसेत् शाखाम् (त् + श = च्छ लेखनरूप)
Related Themes: Agni Purana 42 (Vāstu: dvāra, prāsāda, prākāra, gopura, pratimā-māna)
FAQs
It gives a Vastu rule for doorway design: the door’s height should be twice its width, and it prescribes udumbara wood for the door-frame/posts with an auspicious branch installed above the doorway as a shubha-lakshana.
Beyond theology, the Agni Purana preserves practical built-environment standards—architectural proportion, material selection (udumbara), and auspicious installation markers—showing its coverage of Vastu-śāstra alongside other sciences.
Correct proportions and auspicious materials/signs are treated as promoting śubha (well-being) and removing inauspicious influences at the threshold, the liminal point where protection and prosperity are ritually established.