Agni Purana — Agneya-vidya, Shloka 11
Chapter 24 — कुण्डनिर्माणादिविधिः
Procedure for Constructing the Fire-pit and Related Rites
सप्तपञ्चाङ्गुलं वापि चतुरस्रन्तु कारयेत् त्रिभागेन भवेद्गर्तं मध्ये वृत्तं सुशोभनम्
saptapañcāṅgulaṃ vāpi caturasrantu kārayet tribhāgena bhavedgartaṃ madhye vṛttaṃ suśobhanam
当作成方形，其边长为七或五个指量（aṅgula）。坑穴（garta）应分为三段，中部设一圆形区域，端正华美。
Lord Agni (in instruction to Sage Vasiṣṭha, Agni Purāṇa’s primary dialogic frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Setting standard small square kuṇḍa dimensions (5 or 7 aṅgulas), dividing the pit into three parts, and forming a central circular zone for stability and aesthetic/ritual correctness.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Square Kuṇḍa (5/7 Aṅgula) with Threefold Pit and Central Circle","lookup_keywords":["caturasra kuṇḍa","pañca-aṅgula","sapta-aṅgula","tribhāga garta","madhya-vṛtta"],"quick_summary":"Construct a square kuṇḍa of 5 or 7 aṅgulas; shape the excavation in three divisions and ensure a neat circular center for a well-finished ritual pit."}
Concept: Beauty (śobhana) and correctness arise from proportioned measure and orderly subdivision.
Application: Adopt fixed small-module measures (5/7 aṅgula) and structured excavation to produce repeatable, fault-minimized kuṇḍa builds.
Khanda Section: Vāstu-śāstra (Ritual Architecture & Yantra/Kuṇḍa Construction)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A square fire-pit plan is drawn with side marked 5/7 aṅgulas; the excavation is shown in three stepped divisions with a circular central depression/zone, neatly finished.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, top-down view of a square kuṇḍa with stepped threefold pit and central circle, priest pointing to measurements, subdued palette, sacred geometry prominent","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, gold outlining the square rim and central circle, measurement marks along edges, decorative auspicious motifs around the kuṇḍa, crisp symmetry","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, technical clarity: square plan with aṅgula ticks, cross-section showing tribhāga excavation, central circular area shaded, tools and scale shown","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, artisans excavating a small square pit, overseer with measuring strip, central circular zone indicated, fine architectural detailing and patterned ground"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shuddha Saveri","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सप्तपञ्चाङ्गुलम् = सप्त + पञ्च + अङ्गुलम् (द्विगु); वापि = वा + अपि; चतुरस्रन्तु = चतुरस्रम् + तु; भवेद्गर्तम् = भवेत् + गर्तम्; सुशोभनम् = सु + शोभनम्।
Related Themes: Agni Purana 24 (kuṇḍa shapes and measures; excavation norms)
FAQs
It teaches precise vāstu-style specifications for constructing a homa-kuṇḍa: the square plan with standardized aṅgula-based dimensions and a three-part pit layout featuring a circular center.
Beyond mythology, the Agni Purāṇa preserves practical technical instructions—here, architectural/ritual engineering details (measurements, geometry, layout) used in Vedic-Puranic fire rites.
Correctly proportioned and well-formed kuṇḍa construction is treated as essential for ritual efficacy—supporting purity, orderly worship, and the intended merit (puṇya) of homa offerings.