Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 2

Chapter 55 — Piṇḍikā-lakṣaṇa-kathana

Defining Features of the Pedestal/Base for Icons

Devanagari script

उच्छ्रितायामतोर्धेन सुविस्तारार्धभागतः तृतीयेन तु वा तुल्यं तत्त्रिभागेण मेखला

Transliteration

ucchritāyāmatordhena suvistārārdhabhāgataḥ tṛtīyena tu vā tulyaṃ tattribhāgeṇa mekhalā

Translation

مِکھلا (پٹی/کمر بند) کی مقدار یوں ہو: اونچائی/لمبائی کے نصف کے برابر اور زیادہ سے زیادہ چوڑائی کے نصف کے برابر؛ یا پھر ایک تہائی کے مساوی بھی رکھی جا سکتی ہے—یعنی اس مقدار کو تین حصوں میں بانٹ کر مِکھلا مقرر کی جائے۔

Word by Word

• उच्छ्रितायाः: of the height/raised (one)
• उच्छ्रितायाः: सम्बन्ध (Genitive relation)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उच्छ्रित (प्रातिपदिक; उद् + √श्रि (धातु) क्त)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive/षष्ठी), एकवचन; विशेषण (पिण्डिकायाः/प्रतिमायाः इत्यर्थे)

• अतः: from that
• अतः: अपादान (Source/अपादान)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अतः (अव्यय)
• Form: अपादानार्थक/तस्मात्-अर्थे (from that/therefrom)

• अर्धेन: by half
• अर्धेन: करण (Measure/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अर्ध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/तृतीया), एकवचन

• सु-विस्तार-अर्ध-भागतः: from half of the good width (i.e., taking half-width as basis)
• सु-विस्तार-अर्ध-भागतः: अपादान (Source/Measure-origin)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सु + विस्तार + अर्ध + भाग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभाववत् तसिल्-प्रत्ययान्त (ablatival adverb) ‘-तः’; समासार्थः: सुविस्तारस्य अर्धभागात्

• तृतीयेन: by one-third
• तृतीयेन: करण (Measure/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तृतीय (प्रातिपदिक; क्रमवाचक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/तृतीया), एकवचन; ‘by a third part’

• तु: indeed/but
• तु: सम्बन्ध (Particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (but/indeed)

• वा: or
• वा: समुच्चय/विकल्प (Particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वा (अव्यय)
• Form: विकल्पार्थक-निपात (or)

• तुल्यम्: equal
• तुल्यम्: विशेषण (Predicate adjective)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तुल्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (Nom/Acc), एकवचन; विधेय-विशेषण (is equal)

• तत्: that
• तत्: विशेषण (Deictic qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (Nom/Acc), एकवचन; निर्देशक (that)

• त्रिभागेण: by three parts / by a third division
• त्रिभागेण: करण (Measure/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: त्रि + भाग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/तृतीया), एकवचन; द्विगु (त्रि-भाग)

• मेखला: the girdle/band (mekhalā)
• मेखला: कर्ता (Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मेखला (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/प्रथमा), एकवचन

Speaker

Lord Agni

Vidya Category

Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Determining mekhalā (band/girdle) proportions on the pedestal/base for structural clarity and canonical aesthetics.","sutra_style":true}

Encyclopedic Reference

Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Mekhalā-pramāṇa on piṇḍikā/adhiṣṭhāna","lookup_keywords":["mekhalā","piṇḍikā","pramāṇa","ucchrita","vistāra"],"quick_summary":"The mekhalā is proportioned using halves of height and breadth at the widest, with an alternate one-third-based scheme—ensuring consistent band placement by fractional division."}

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Pramāṇa (measure) as the basis of śilpa—order through fractional ratios.

Application: Apply fractional rules to keep mouldings visually balanced and structurally coherent.

Khanda Section

Khanda Section: Vāstu-Śāstra (Architecture & Measurements)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Visual Art Cues

Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A pedestal cross-section showing the mekhalā band, with craftsmen dividing measures into halves and thirds using cords and marked rods.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, stylized pedestal section with bold outlines, artisans marking half and third divisions, earthy palette, temple construction ambience","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, ornate pedestal with highlighted mekhalā band in gold, artisan demonstrating proportional divisions, rich decorative borders","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, diagrammatic cross-section with fine lines, clear fractional annotations (1/2, 1/3), calm instructional scene","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, workshop with draftsman and mason, pedestal moulding sample on table, measuring tools, intricate architectural backdrop"}

Audio Atmosphere

Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}

Sandhi Resolution Notes

Sandhi Resolution Notes: ucchritāyāmatordhena → उच्छ्रितायाः + अतः + अर्धेन; suvistārārdhabhāgataḥ → सु-विस्तार-अर्ध-भागतः; tattribhāgeṇa → तत् + त्रिभागेण.

Cross References

Related Themes: Agni Purana 55.1 (piṇḍikā basic dimensions); Agni Purana 55.3-55.4 (foundation slope, praṇāla and water-channel measures)

Characters & Entities

• Agni
• Vāstu-śāstra
• Mekhalā

FAQs

What technical or ritual knowledge (Vidya) is imparted in this verse?

It gives a proportional rule (pramāṇa) for determining the mekhalā (a binding band/girdle element) using fractional measures—half of height/length and half of maximum breadth, with an alternate one-third-based proportional option.

How does this verse contribute to the 'Encyclopedic' nature of the Agni Purana?

Beyond theology, the Agni Purana preserves applied technical canons—here, Vāstu-śāstra proportioning—showing it functions as a practical handbook for design/ritual construction alongside its religious narratives.

What is the spiritual or karmic significance of this specific instruction?

Correct proportional construction is treated as part of dharmic workmanship: adherence to śāstric measures supports ritual purity and auspiciousness in consecrated objects/structures, thereby increasing the merit (puṇya) of the patron and artisan.