Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 19
Vāsudevādi-pratimā-lakṣaṇa-vidhiḥ
Iconographic and Iconometric Procedure for Vāsudeva and the Vyūha Forms
अव्यात्तमेवं स्याद्वक्त्रं व्यात्तं त्र्यङ्गुलमिष्यते नासावंशसमुच्छ्रायं मूले त्वेकाङ्गुलं मतम्
avyāttamevaṃ syādvaktraṃ vyāttaṃ tryaṅgulamiṣyate nāsāvaṃśasamucchrāyaṃ mūle tvekāṅgulaṃ matam
Ainsi, lorsque la bouche est montrée fermée, qu’elle demeure telle; mais lorsqu’elle est figurée ouverte, une ouverture de trois aṅgulas est prescrite. La saillie de l’arête nasale (nāsā-vaṃśa) est tenue pour une aṅgula à sa base.
Lord Agni (in instruction to the sage Vasiṣṭha, as the standard Agni Purana dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Shilpa","secondary_vidya":"Natya","practical_application":"Specifies how to depict mouth states (closed vs open) and nose ridge projection—useful for sculptural expression, mask-making, and performance iconography.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Vakta-vyātta māna and nāsā-vaṃśa ucchrāya","lookup_keywords":["vyātta-vaktra","av yātta","nāsā-vaṃśa","ucchrāya","aṅgula"],"quick_summary":"Prescribes different mouth measures depending on whether it is shown closed or open, and fixes the nasal ridge base projection, enabling controlled expression without breaking proportion."}
Concept: Bhāva (expressive state) must remain governed by pramāṇa (measure).
Application: When depicting emotion (open mouth), adjust only within prescribed limits to preserve iconometric integrity.
Khanda Section: Shilpa-shastra (Iconometry & Temple/Vastu Measurements)
Primary Rasa: samanya
Secondary Rasa: raudra
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Two side-by-side face studies: one with closed mouth, one with mouth open showing a 3 aṅgula gap; a profile shows the nasal ridge base projection labeled 1 aṅgula.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, comparative facial panels for śānta (closed mouth) and ugra (open mouth), bold contours, labeled measures near mouth and nose ridge","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, deity face variants with gold ornamentation; open-mouth fierce form contrasted with calm form, measurement marks subtly integrated","mysore_prompt":"Mysore, technical plate: mouth aperture 3 aṅgulas, nose ridge base 1 aṅgula, clean annotations and proportional grid","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, artist’s folio showing two portrait studies with marginal notes; profile nose ridge measurement indicated with fine ruler"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":null,"pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: avyāttamevam → a-vyāttam evam; syādvaktram → syāt vaktram; tryaṅgulamiṣyate → tri-aṅgulam iṣyate; tvekāṅgulam → tu eka-aṅgulam.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 44 (facial feature measures)
FAQs
It gives iconometric rules for sculpting/painting an image: the prescribed mouth opening (3 aṅgulas when shown open) and the proportional projection of the nose-bridge (1 aṅgula at the base).
Beyond theology, the Agni Purana preserves applied technical knowledge—here, shilpa-śāstra standards used by artisans for temple icons—showing its coverage of architecture, sculpture, and precise measurement systems.
Correct proportions are treated as essential to a valid sacred image; accuracy supports proper consecration and worship, helping ensure the icon is ritually fit and spiritually efficacious.