Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 21
Vāsudevādi-pratimā-lakṣaṇa-vidhiḥ
Iconographic and Iconometric Procedure for Vāsudeva and the Vyūha Forms
द्व्यङ्गुलं चाक्षिकोणं च द्व्यङ्गुलं चान्तरं तयोः तारा नेत्रत्रिभागेण दृक्तारा पञ्चमांशिका
dvyaṅgulaṃ cākṣikoṇaṃ ca dvyaṅgulaṃ cāntaraṃ tayoḥ tārā netratribhāgeṇa dṛktārā pañcamāṃśikā
Der Augenwinkel (Augenecke) soll zwei Aṅgulas betragen, und der Abstand zwischen den beiden (Winkeln) ebenfalls zwei Aṅgulas. Die tārā (Iris) soll ein Drittel des Auges ausmachen, und die dṛk-tārā (Pupille) ein Fünftel (der Iris).
Lord Agni (instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha in encyclopedic śilpa/vidyā material)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Shilpa","secondary_vidya":"Vastu","practical_application":"Used by sculptors and painters to proportion the deity’s eyes (netra-pramāṇa) in icons so the face reads as auspicious and canonical.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Netra-pramāṇa: eye corner, iris and pupil ratios","lookup_keywords":["netra-pramāṇa","aṅgula-māna","tārā (iris)","dṛk-tārā (pupil)","pratimā-lakṣaṇa"],"quick_summary":"Fix the eye-corner and inter-canthus spacing at 2 aṅgulas each; set iris to 1/3 of the eye and pupil to 1/5 of the iris for balanced, lifelike iconography."}
Concept: Śāstra-pramāṇa (canonical measure) as a means to manifest auspiciousness (maṅgalya) in form.
Application: Apply fixed ratios rather than subjective taste when drafting/painting the eyes of a mūrti.
Khanda Section: Shilpa–Shastra / Pratima–Lakshana (Iconography and Measurements)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A sculptor’s measuring cord and aṅgula scale marking the eye: corners, spacing, iris circle, and pupil dot laid out on a deity’s face grid.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, frontal deity face underdrawing with red-ochre grid, artisan hand marking netra corners and tārā/dṛk-tārā circles, flat colors, bold outlines, sacred workshop ambience.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style, close-up of deity face with large expressive eyes, gold foil highlights around eyelids, artisan measuring with aṅgula scale, rich reds and greens, ornate borders.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, instructional plate showing eye proportions with labeled aṅgula measures, delicate lines, soft shading, minimal background, palm-leaf manuscript aesthetic.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, atelier scene with master painter drawing an eye diagram on parchment, precise circles for iris and pupil, rulers and compasses, detailed textiles and tools."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: cākṣikoṇaṃ = ca + अक्षिकोणम्; cāntaraṃ = ca + अन्तरम्; netratribhāgeṇa = नेत्र + त्रि + भागेण; dṛktārā = दृक् + तारा.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 44 (Pratimā-lakṣaṇa sections on mukha/śiras pramāṇa)
FAQs
It gives precise śilpa-śāstra proportions for sculpting/painting the eye in an image (pratimā): corner measure, spacing, and the relative sizes of iris (tārā) and pupil (dṛk-tārā).
Beyond theology, the Agni Purana preserves practical technical standards for temple arts—iconographic geometry and measurement systems (aṅgula-based pramāṇa)—showing its coverage of applied sciences like vāstu and śilpa.
Correct proportions are treated as essential to a ‘proper’ sacred image; fidelity to pramāṇa supports ritual efficacy (pratiṣṭhā/arcana) and is traditionally regarded as meritorious because it aids accurate devotional representation.