Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 54
Adhivāsana-vidhi
Procedure for Preliminary Consecration in Vāstu–Pratiṣṭhā / Īśāna-kalpa
यवस्य नवभक्तस्य भागैर् अष्टाभिरावृता हस्तिके लक्ष्मरेखा च गाम्भीर्याद् विस्तरादपि
yavasya navabhaktasya bhāgair aṣṭābhirāvṛtā hastike lakṣmarekhā ca gāmbhīryād vistarādapi
Beim Elefanten wird die glückverheißende Markierungslinie (lakṣma-rekhā) als von acht Teilen einer neunteiligen Maßeinheit eines yava-Korns (Gerste) umschlossen beschrieben; sie ist nach ihrer Tiefe und ebenso nach ihrer Breite zu beurteilen.
Lord Agni (narrating to sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Ayurveda","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Assessment of auspicious physiognomic mark-lines in elephants using standardized micro-measures (yava-based fractions) and qualitative evaluation by depth and breadth.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Description","entry_title":"Hasti-sāmudrika: lakṣma-rekhā measured by yava fractions and judged by depth/breadth","lookup_keywords":["hasti-lakṣaṇa","sāmudrika","yava-māna","lakṣma-rekhā","gāmbhīrya"],"quick_summary":"In elephants, the auspicious mark-line is specified via a yava-based fractional measure (eight parts of a nine-part yava measure) and should be evaluated by both depth and breadth."}
Concept: Lakṣaṇa-śāstra: knowledge through measurable signs (liṅga) and careful observation
Application: In evaluating animals (for royal, ritual, or practical use), combine quantitative standards with qualitative inspection.
Khanda Section: Ayurveda / Samudrika-lakshana (Physiognomy and bodily marks)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A mahout and examiner inspect an elephant’s auspicious line (lakṣma-rekhā), using a barley-corn (yava) based scale to gauge the line’s measure, and checking its depth and breadth by touch and sight.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: large stylized elephant in profile, examiner holding a small measuring strip marked in yava fractions, another hand tracing the line to judge depth, earthy palette and decorative borders.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: regal elephant with ornate caparison, examiner measuring a mark-line with a small scale, gold highlights on ornaments, auspicious setting suggesting royal stable/temple procession.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: instructional animal-examination scene, clear depiction of yava unit and nine-part division, examiner indicating depth and breadth, fine lines and soft colors.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: detailed royal stable scene, elephant with attendants, examiner using a small measuring tool, naturalistic textures, courtly observers, precise rendering of the inspection."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kedar","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: भागैरष्टाभिरावृता = भागैः अष्टाभिः आवृता (visarga sandhi); विस्तरादपि = विस्तरात् अपि (त्+अ → द).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 96 (lakṣaṇa/māna discussions across Ayurveda and Śilpa contexts)
FAQs
It gives a technical rule for assessing an elephant’s auspicious bodily mark-line (lakṣma-rekhā) using a standardized unit (yava) and evaluating it by both depth and width.
Beyond theology, it preserves practical śāstric material—standardized measurement, animal-assessment criteria, and applied ‘lakṣaṇa’ science—showing the Purana’s coverage of technical knowledge used in governance, wealth, and royal establishments (e.g., elephants).
Correctly identifying auspicious marks supports dharmic selection and use of royal animals, aligning action with auspiciousness (śubha-lakṣaṇa) and thereby minimizing inauspicious outcomes in ritual, travel, and royal duty.