Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 16
Vāsudevādi-pratimā-lakṣaṇa-vidhiḥ
Iconographic and Iconometric Procedure for Vāsudeva and the Vyūha Forms
विद्धं षडङ्गुलं कर्णमविद्धञ्चतुरङ्गुलम् चिवुकेन समं विद्धमविद्धं वा षडङ्गुलम्
viddhaṃ ṣaḍaṅgulaṃ karṇamaviddhañcaturaṅgulam civukena samaṃ viddhamaviddhaṃ vā ṣaḍaṅgulam
La partie percée de l’oreille doit mesurer six aṅgulas, tandis que la partie non percée en mesure quatre. On la perce en l’alignant également avec le menton; ou bien on peut la laisser non percée, auquel cas elle doit être de six aṅgulas.
Lord Agni
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Standardizing bodily/ornamental measurements (aṅgula-pramāṇa) for martial presentation, protective gear fit, and regulated body-marking/piercing practices in a warrior context.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Karna-vedha pramāṇa (ear-piercing measure)","lookup_keywords":["karna","vedha","aṅgula-pramāṇa","cibuka-sāmya","māna"],"quick_summary":"Gives fixed aṅgula measures for the pierced and unpierced portions of the ear and prescribes alignment with the chin as a placement rule; alternatively allows an unpierced ear with a different measure."}
Concept: Pramāṇa (standard measure) as a basis for correct form and regulated practice.
Application: Apply consistent aṅgula measures and alignment rules to avoid disproportion and maintain canonical standards.
Khanda Section: Dhanurveda (Archery and martial measurements)
Primary Rasa: samanya
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A sculptor or master-measurer marks an ear on a standing figure with a measuring rod, aligning the piercing point with the chin; annotations show 6 and 4 aṅgula segments.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, artisan-guru demonstrating aṅgula measurement on a youthful warrior figure, clear linework, earthy reds and greens, palm-leaf manuscript on side, focus on ear and chin alignment","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-leaf highlights on ornaments, master measuring the ear with a small scale, stylized profile face, rich maroons and greens, temple-workshop setting","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, delicate shading, instructional diagram feel: ear divided into measured segments, guru pointing to chin alignment, neat borders and labeled aṅgulas","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, atelier scene with calligraphed notes, artisan using calipers/scale on a noble figure’s ear, fine textiles, precise anatomical detailing"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":null,"pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: karṇamaviddham → karṇam a-viddham; aviddhañcaturaṅgulam → a-viddham ca catur-aṅgulam.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 44 (pratimā/śarīra-māna context)
FAQs
It gives precise aṅgula-based measurements and alignment guidance for piercing or leaving unpierced a bodily feature (the ear), using the chin as a reference point—an applied standardization typical of Dhanurveda-style technical instruction.
Beyond theology, the Agni Purana records practical, technical norms—here, exact proportional measurements (pramāṇa) and procedural options—showing its coverage of applied sciences alongside ritual and doctrine.
By prescribing correct proportion and method, it frames physical practice as dharma-aligned discipline: acting according to śāstric measure (pramāṇa) is treated as purity through correctness and restraint rather than arbitrary action.