Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 58
Adhivāsana-vidhi
Procedure for Preliminary Consecration in Vāstu–Pratiṣṭhā / Īśāna-kalpa
गम्भीरत्वष्टयुवाभ्यां रेखापि त्र्यंशवृद्धितः सर्वेषु च भवेत् सूक्ष्मां लिङ्गमस्तकमस्तकं
gambhīratvaṣṭayuvābhyāṃ rekhāpi tryaṃśavṛddhitaḥ sarveṣu ca bhavet sūkṣmāṃ liṅgamastakamastakaṃ
Hinsichtlich Tiefe und vorgeschriebener Proportionen ist auch die eingeritzte Linie (rekhā) um ein Drittel zu vermehren; und in allen Fällen soll sie im oberen Teil, am Kopf (mastaka) des Liṅga, fein und subtil ausgeführt werden.
Lord Agni (narrating Agni Purana’s technical instructions to the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Shilpa","secondary_vidya":"Vastu","practical_application":"Specifying proportional refinement of incised lines/markings (rekhā) on a liṅga: increase by one-third and ensure fineness toward the upper/head portion for correct lakṣaṇa and aesthetics.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Rekhā-pramāṇa on Liṅga: One-third Increase and Upper Fineness","lookup_keywords":["rekhā","tryaṃśa-vṛddhi","liṅga-mastaka","sūkṣma rekhā","gambhīratva"],"quick_summary":"The incised line/marking on the liṅga is proportionally increased by one-third and should be executed subtly, especially toward the liṅga’s head/top, aligning depth and surface detailing."}
Concept: Sacred aesthetics (saukṣmya) and proportion (vṛddhi by parts) are integral to ritual correctness.
Application: During carving/finishing, scale incised features by prescribed fractions and taper delicately toward the top to avoid visual/ritual doṣa.
Khanda Section: Vastu–Shilpa & Pratima-Lakshana (Iconography of Lingas and sacred marks)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: śānta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A sculptor incises a fine line on the upper portion of a Śiva-liṅga, using calipers to apply a one-third proportional increase to the marking length/placement.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: artisan carving a liṅga with delicate rekhā near the mastaka, tools stylized, sanctum workshop ambiance, lamp-lit browns and reds.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: close-up sacred liṅga with highlighted fine rekhā at the top, gold-leaf halo-like framing, artisan and priest in reverent pose.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: technical illustration of liṅga profile with rekhā positions, showing tryaṃśa increment and tapering fineness toward mastaka, neat labels and measured lines.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: atelier scene with master sculptor demonstrating fine incisions on a stone liṅga, assistants holding measuring instruments, meticulous detailing."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":null,"pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: गम्भीरत्वष्टयुवाभ्यां → गम्भीरत्व + अष्टयुवाभ्याम्; रेखापि → रेखा + अपि
Related Themes: Agni Purana 96 (liṅga-lakṣaṇa and pramāṇa rules)
FAQs
It gives a precise shilpa-rule: the carved/marked line on the liṅga is proportionally increased by one-third, and the finishing at the liṅga’s top (mastaka) must be subtle and fine—guidance for correct iconographic fabrication.
Beyond mythology, the Agni Purana preserves applied technical knowledge—here, temple/icon construction standards (vāstu–śilpa) with proportional measurement rules, showing its coverage of architecture, ritual objects, and practical craftsmanship.
Accurate proportions and refined finishing are treated as part of śāstra-compliant worship: a correctly made liṅga supports proper consecration (pratiṣṭhā) and is believed to enhance ritual efficacy and merit by avoiding doṣa (fault) in sacred construction.