Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 33
Liṅga-māna-ādi-kathana
Measurements and Related Particulars of the Liṅga
विभागादूर्ध्वमष्टास्रो द्व्यष्टास्रःस्याच्छिवांशकः पादाज्जान्वन्तको ब्रह्मा नाभ्यन्तो विष्णुरित्यतः
vibhāgādūrdhvamaṣṭāsro dvyaṣṭāsraḥsyācchivāṃśakaḥ pādājjānvantako brahmā nābhyanto viṣṇurityataḥ
Oberhalb der (zentralen) Teilung soll die Form achteckig sein; der obere sechzehneckige Abschnitt ist als Anteil Śivas zuzuweisen. Von den Füßen bis zu den Knien reicht Brahmās Bereich; vom Nabel nach innen (d. h. die Mittelzone) gilt als Anteil Viṣṇus.
Lord Agni (in instruction to sage Vasiṣṭha, as per the typical Agni Purāṇa dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Vastu","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Iconometric zoning of a liṅga/temple vertical scheme by assigning geometric tiers and deity-portions for correct construction and consecration.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Deity-zones and polygonal tiers in liṅga/prāsāda division","lookup_keywords":["aṣṭāsra","ṣoḍaśāsra","brahmabhāga","viṣṇubhāga","śivāṃśa"],"quick_summary":"Prescribes the polygonal shaping above the central division and maps bodily/vertical extents to Brahmā (feet–knees) and Viṣṇu (navel/central region), with Śiva assigned to the upper sixteen-cornered portion."}
Concept: Cosmic-theological mapping of form: Brahmā–Viṣṇu–Śiva are encoded as measurable zones within sacred construction.
Application: Use deity-zoning to guide carving, placement of markings, and ritual identification during pratiṣṭhā.
Khanda Section: Vastu & Mandira-Lakshana (Temple Architecture and Iconometry)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A technical sacred diagram showing a vertical liṅga/prāsāda divided into zones: lower feet-to-knees labeled Brahmā, central navel-region labeled Viṣṇu, and upper polygonal tiers (8- and 16-sided) labeled Śiva.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural aesthetic, flat yet rich colors, sacred diagram of a Śiva-liṅga with clearly painted horizontal bands and Sanskrit labels for Brahmā, Viṣṇu, Śiva; include octagonal and hexadecagonal tier motifs above the midline; traditional ornamental borders.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting with gold leaf highlights, stylized liṅga/prāsāda diagram on a dark ground; gold-outlined bands for Brahmā and Viṣṇu zones; upper Śiva portion emphasized with gold geometric (8- and 16-sided) halo-like tiering; minimal figures, focus on sacred geometry.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, instructional plate: measured liṅga with ruler-like tick marks, octagon and 16-gon tiers rendered cleanly; annotations in Devanāgarī; muted palette and fine linework.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature technical folio: architect-scribe presenting a measured liṅga/prāsāda section drawing; delicate wash colors, precise polygons, marginal notes; workshop setting with measuring tools."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: विभागादूर्ध्वम् = विभागात् + ऊर्ध्वम्; द्व्यष्टास्रःस्याच्छिवांशकः = द्व्यष्टास्रः + स्यात् + शिवांशकः; पादाज्जान्वन्तकः = पादात् + जान्वन्तकः; नाभ्यन्तो = नाभ्यन्तः; विष्णुरित्यतः = विष्णुः + इति + अतः
Related Themes: Agni Purana 54 (liṅga/prāsāda-lakṣaṇa context); Agni Purana sections on pratimā-lakṣaṇa and prāsāda-vidhi (nearby chapters)
FAQs
It gives iconometric/architectural prescriptions: specific geometric forms (eight-angled and sixteen-angled) and a body-region allocation of the Tri-mūrti (Brahmā–Viṣṇu–Śiva) used when designing or consecrating images/structures.
Beyond mythology, it preserves practical Śilpa-śāstra/Vāstu knowledge—geometry, proportional design, and deity-mapping conventions—showing the Agni Purāṇa as a compendium that also functions like a technical manual for temple art and ritual installations.
Correct proportional and deity-portion assignment is traditionally held to ensure the image’s ritual fitness (pratiṣṭhā-yogyatā) and the intended presence/auspiciousness of the deity, supporting merit through properly performed consecration and worship.