Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 9
सकलादिमन्त्रोद्धारः (Sakalādi-mantra-uddhāra) — Chapter Colophon/Transition
वसुदेवसुतैः साब्जैस्तिदलैः पादपट्टिका तदूर्ध्वे वेदिका देया भगमात्रप्रमाणतः
vasudevasutaiḥ sābjaistidalaiḥ pādapaṭṭikā tadūrdhve vedikā deyā bhagamātrapramāṇataḥ
پادپٹّکا (قدموں کی بنیاد) واسو دیو کے سُتوں کے نشانات کے ساتھ اور تین پتیوں والے کنول (سابج) کے نقش سمیت بنائی جائے۔ اس کے اوپر، ‘بھگ’ کی مقدار کے پیمانے کے مطابق ویدِکا (قربان گاہ کا چبوترہ) قائم کی جائے۔
Lord Agni (in instruction to the sage Vasiṣṭha, as the Agni Purana’s primary narrator)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Guidance for constructing the pādapaṭṭikā (foot-plinth) with specified motifs and placing the vedikā above it using bhaga-based proportional measurement.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Pādapaṭṭikā and Vedikā Proportion (Bhaga-mātra)","lookup_keywords":["pādapaṭṭikā","vedikā","bhaga-pramāṇa","tridala-kamala","motif sons of Vāsudeva"],"quick_summary":"The plinth is to be ornamented with prescribed iconographic/motif elements including a tri-petalled lotus; above it the altar-platform is set out to a standard proportional unit (one bhaga), ensuring canonical measure and visual harmony."}
Concept: Ritual efficacy and auspiciousness are supported by correct proportion (pramāṇa) and canonical sequencing of structural layers (plinth → platform).
Application: In planning an altar/temple base, fix a modular unit (bhaga) and keep ornament and measure consistent to avoid structural and ritual ‘doṣa’ (fault).
Khanda Section: Vastu-vidya / Mandira-vedi-nirmana (Temple architecture and altar measurements)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Architect-priest oversees construction of a plinth decorated with tri-petalled lotus motifs and guardian/associated figures; above it an altar-platform is measured out precisely to one bhaga unit.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, craftsmen carving a plinth with lotus tridala patterns, priest holding measuring cord, vedikā outline above, earthy tones, stylized architectural bands and floral motifs","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, close-up of ornate plinth with lotus relief highlighted in gold, vedikā platform above with symmetrical borders, ceremonial tools (measuring rod, cord), rich reds and greens, temple aura","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, technical scene with measured grid and bhaga module indicated, plinth (pādapaṭṭikā) and platform (vedikā) in section view, fine lines, instructional clarity","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, master builder and Brahmin consultant measuring a stone base with cords, artisans chiseling lotus motifs, architectural precision, detailed textiles and tools, calm workshop narrative"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: vasudevasutaiḥ → vasudeva-sutaiḥ; sābjaistidalaiḥ → sa-abjaiḥ + tri-dalaiḥ (sandhi: a+i→ai); tadūrdhve → tat-ūrdhve; bhagamātrapramāṇataḥ treated as adverbial -tas formation.
Related Themes: Agni Purana: vastu/mandira-vidhi and pramāṇa discussions near 317.9–317.11
FAQs
It gives a Vāstu-śāstra instruction for constructing a deity’s base: the foot-plinth is to be ornamented with a lotus (three petals) and arranged with the Vāsudeva-related deities, and the altar-platform above it must follow a fixed proportional unit (one bhaga).
Beyond mythology, the Agni Purana preserves practical architectural canons—precise terms (pādapaṭṭikā, vedikā) and proportional measurement (bhaga)—showing its role as a manual for temple/ritual construction alongside theology.
Correct proportional construction and iconographic placement are treated as dhārmic correctness in worship spaces; accuracy in the altar/base layout supports proper consecration and is believed to enhance the ritual’s purity and merit.