Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 20
Chapter 42 — प्रासादलक्षणकथनं
Prāsāda-lakṣaṇa-kathana: Characteristics of the Temple/Prāsāda
द्वारस्य तु चतुर्थांशे कार्यौ चण्डप्रचण्दकौ विश्वक्सेनवत्सदण्डौ शिखोर्ध्वोडुम्बरे श्रियं
dvārasya tu caturthāṃśe kāryau caṇḍapracaṇdakau viśvaksenavatsadaṇḍau śikhordhvoḍumbare śriyaṃ
دروازے کے چوتھے حصے میں رَودْر دربان چنڈ اور پرچنڈ کی صورت/نصب کرنا چاہیے؛ ساتھ ہی وِشْوَکْسین اور وَتْس-دَنڈ بھی رکھے جائیں۔ اوپر شِکھر کے مقام پر، اُدُمبَر پٹّے پر، مَنگل کی ادھِشْٹھاتری شری (لکشمی) کی پرتِشٹھا کی جائے۔
Lord Agni (in dialogue tradition, instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Temple doorway iconographic placement: guardian figures (Caṇḍa/Pracaṇḍa), attendant deities (Viśvaksena), protective emblems (Vatsa-daṇḍa), and Śrī installation on the crest/lintel zone.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Dvāra-devatā-nyāsa: Caṇḍa–Pracaṇḍa, Viśvaksena, Vatsa-daṇḍa, Śrī","lookup_keywords":["Caṇḍa Pracaṇḍa","Viśvaksena","dvāra-pāla","Śrī-nyāsa","vatsa-daṇḍa"],"quick_summary":"Place fierce guardians in the doorway’s quarter-sections, add Viśvaksena and protective staff-emblem, and install Śrī above the doorway crest to secure protection and prosperity."}
Weapon Type: Staff/daṇḍa (as protective emblem); implied guardian weaponry
Concept: Sacred space is maintained by nyāsa—placing protective and auspicious powers at liminal points (doors, crests).
Application: During temple construction/consecration, follow prescribed placements to align ritual security (rakṣā) with prosperity (śrī).
Khanda Section: Vastu-shastra / Mandira-Dvara-Lakshana (Temple Architecture & Iconographic Placement)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A temple doorway divided into quarters shows fierce dvārapālas Caṇḍa and Pracaṇḍa stationed at the sides; Viśvaksena and a protective staff-emblem appear; above the crest, Śrī is installed on the lintel/beam.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, bold dvārapālas with expressive eyes and ornaments, Viśvaksena in attendant posture, Śrī above on lintel with lotus, flat architectural framing, ritual lamps at threshold.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, heavily ornamented doorway with gold relief, Caṇḍa-Pracaṇḍa flanking, Śrī seated on lotus above lintel, rich reds/greens, gem-like detailing.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, diagrammatic doorway with quarter divisions, labeled placements of Caṇḍa/Pracaṇḍa and Viśvaksena, Śrī at crest, clean lines and restrained gold.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, architectural elevation of temple gate with guardians, fine textile patterns on attendants, Śrī above in a small niche, meticulous linework and pastel palette."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: शिखोर्ध्वोडुम्बरे→शिखा ऊर्ध्व उदुम्बरे (आ + ऊ = ओ; ऊ + उ = ओ)
Related Themes: Agni Purana 42 (dvāra-lakṣaṇa and devatā-nyāsa)
FAQs
It gives a Vāstu/Pratiṣṭhā specification for a temple or sacred doorway: which protective figures (Caṇḍa–Pracaṇḍa, Viśvaksena, etc.) should be installed and where—specifically by dividing the doorway into quarters and placing Śrī (Lakṣmī) at the upper crest/beam for auspiciousness.
Alongside theology, the Agni Purana preserves applied technical knowledge—here, architectural and iconographic standards for doorways (a key element of temple design and domestic Vāstu), including precise spatial placement of deities for protection and prosperity.
Placing guardian deities at the doorway is meant to block inauspicious influences and protect the sanctum/household, while installing Śrī at the top symbolizes inviting prosperity and auspiciousness—supporting purity, safety, and merit through correct sacred construction.