Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 42
Liṅga-māna-ādi-kathana
Measurements and Related Particulars of the Liṅga
अर्कांशं पूर्ववत् त्यक्त्वा षट् स्थानानि विवर्तयत् शिरोन्नतिः प्रकर्तव्या ललाटं नासिका ततः
arkāṃśaṃ pūrvavat tyaktvā ṣaṭ sthānāni vivartayat śironnatiḥ prakartavyā lalāṭaṃ nāsikā tataḥ
Nachdem man den «arkāṃśa» (Sonnenwinkel/Sonnensegment) wie zuvor beschrieben beiseitegelassen hat, soll man die sechs Punkte der Reihe nach ausrichten (drehen/justieren). Der Kopf ist zu heben; dann werden die Stirn und danach die Nase ausgerichtet.
Lord Agni
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Stepwise alignment of six key points in posture/aiming (head raise, forehead, nose alignment) after excluding a prior solar-angle parameter; used for training in aiming, stance correction, or target-line calibration.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Ṣaṭ-sthāna alignment: head-raise and facial-line calibration","lookup_keywords":["ṣaṭ-sthāna","śiro-nnati","lalāṭa","nāsikā","dhanurveda-aiming"],"quick_summary":"Instructs sequential adjustment of six alignment points, beginning with raising the head and aligning forehead and nose, as part of a standardized aiming/posture method."}
Weapon Type: Bow (implied archery alignment)
Concept: Martial efficacy arises from regulated body-mechanics and sequential correction (krama).
Application: Archery instructors drill alignment checkpoints to reduce error and standardize form under stress.
Khanda Section: Dhanurveda (Archery and Military Science)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"An archery trainee stands in profile while a guru corrects posture: head lifted, forehead and nose aligned to the target line; six marked points shown as a dotted alignment path.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, dynamic training scene in a gurukula courtyard; guru guiding archer’s head and facial alignment; stylized target and flame-like energy lines.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, archer with bow in poised stance; gold-highlighted alignment lines from forehead and nose to target; guru figure with authoritative gesture.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, technical instructional plate: archer silhouette with six labeled points; arrows indicating ‘vivartana’ (adjustment); clear captions for śiras, lalāṭa, nāsikā.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, martial training garden scene; master adjusts student’s chin and head angle; detailed bows, quivers, and a distant target; fine linework."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"focused","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: अर्कांशं = अर्क + अंशम्; शिरोन्नतिः = शिरः + उन्नतिः (विसर्ग-लोप/ओ-आदेशः).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 54 (dhanurveda subsection; prior verse describing arkāṃśa parameter)
FAQs
It teaches a Dhanurvedic aiming/posture method: after setting aside a previously defined directional/angle measure (arkāṃśa), the archer aligns six bodily points, specifically raising the head and aligning the forehead and nose for correct aim.
Alongside theology and ritual, the Agni Purana preserves practical war-science: fine-grained biomechanical guidance for aiming and stance, characteristic of its broad, handbook-like coverage of disciplines such as Dhanurveda.
While primarily technical, disciplined bodily alignment reflects niyama (trained restraint) and skillful action (kauśala) in duty-bound contexts, supporting righteous conduct (dharma) through competent performance of one’s role.