Agni Purana — Raja-dharma, Shloka 14
Chapter 242 — पुरुषलक्षणं
Purusha-Lakshana): Marks of a Man (Physiognomy
अङ्गुल्यो हृदयं पृष्ठं कटिः शस्तं चतुःसमं षण्णवत्यङ्गुलोत्सेधश् चतुष्किष्कुप्रमाणतः
aṅgulyo hṛdayaṃ pṛṣṭhaṃ kaṭiḥ śastaṃ catuḥsamaṃ ṣaṇṇavatyaṅgulotsedhaś catuṣkiṣkupramāṇataḥ
Die Maße der Finger, der Herzgegend (Brust), des Rückens und der Taille werden als vierfach gleichproportional vorgeschrieben. Die Gesamthöhe wird mit sechsundneunzig Aṅgula angegeben, gemessen als vier Kiṣku.
Lord Agni (teaching the sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purāṇa’s instructional dialogue)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Shilpa","secondary_vidya":"Vastu","practical_application":"Iconometric measurement for constructing proportionate images: equalized fourfold proportions for key body regions and total height standardization (96 angulas / 4 kiskus).","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Formula","entry_title":"Pratima-pramana: 96 aṅgulas total height and fourfold-equal proportions","lookup_keywords":["pramana","angula","kisku","pratima-mana","iconometry"],"quick_summary":"Sets a canonical scale: total icon height is 96 aṅgulas (4 kiṣkus) with specified regions (fingers/heart-back-waist) maintained in fourfold-equal proportionality for visual harmony and ritual correctness."}
Concept: Pramana (measure) is a bridge between idea and embodiment; correct proportion is treated as dharmic order expressed in form.
Application: Use as a baseline module when scaling icons; maintain consistent unit conversion (aṅgula↔kiṣku) across workshop teams to avoid distortion.
Khanda Section: Vāstu-Śilpa / Pratimā-Lakṣaṇa (Iconometry and measurements)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A measurement board and a standing icon outline marked in aṅgulas; a master craftsman demonstrates that total height equals 96 aṅgulas (4 kiṣkus) and shows equal proportional divisions for chest/back/waist and finger measures.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, artisan with measuring cord and marked staff, icon outline with red measurement ticks, palm-leaf manual open, warm temple hues and stylized geometry.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central icon silhouette with gold-embossed measurement grid, side panel showing ‘96 aṅgula = 4 kiṣku’ in decorative script, rich reds and gold borders.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clean instructional diagram: vertical scale labeled 96 aṅgulas, inset showing kiṣku unit, proportional bands for hṛdaya/pṛṣṭha/kaṭi, fine linework and pastel wash.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, workshop scene with ruler, calipers, and measuring cord; master and apprentice annotate an icon drawing with numbers and divisions, detailed textiles and tools."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":null,"pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ṣaṇṇavatyaṅgulotsedhaḥ → ṣaṇṇavati-aṅgula-utsedhaḥ; catuṣkiṣkupramāṇataḥ → catuṣ-kiṣku-pramāṇataḥ.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 242 (Vastu-Śilpa / Pratimā-Lakṣaṇa measurements)
FAQs
It teaches pratimā-māna (iconometric proportion): how key body regions (chest/heart, back, waist) are proportioned and how total height is standardized as 96 aṅgulas, equivalently expressed as 4 kiṣkus.
Beyond myth and devotion, the Agni Purāṇa preserves applied technical sciences—here, Vāstu-Śilpa and Śilpaśāstra—by specifying standardized measurement units and proportional rules used in temple construction and image-making.
Correct proportion in sacred images is treated as essential for proper consecration and worship; accuracy in māna is traditionally linked with producing a ritually valid icon that supports auspiciousness and the intended devotional merit.