Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 22
Vāsudevādi-pratimā-lakṣaṇa-vidhiḥ
Iconographic and Iconometric Procedure for Vāsudeva and the Vyūha Forms
त्र्यङ्गुलं नेत्रविस्तारं द्रोणी चार्धाङ्गुला मता तत्समाणा भ्रुवोर्लेखा भ्रुवौ चैव समे मते
tryaṅgulaṃ netravistāraṃ droṇī cārdhāṅgulā matā tatsamāṇā bhruvorlekhā bhruvau caiva same mate
La largeur de l’œil est prescrite à trois aṅgulas ; la droṇī (mesure de la cavité oculaire) est tenue pour une aṅgula et demie. La ligne (arc) des deux sourcils doit être de même mesure, et les sourcils doivent être égaux et symétriques.
Lord Agni (in discourse to Sage Vasiṣṭha, as per the Agni Purana’s standard frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Shilpa","secondary_vidya":"Vastu","practical_application":"Guides the proportional drafting of eye width, eye-bowl (droṇī) and eyebrow symmetry in sculpture/painting to maintain canonical facial harmony.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Netra-vistāra, droṇī-māna and bhru-lakṣaṇa","lookup_keywords":["netra-vistāra","droṇī","bhrū-lekhā","symmetry","aṅgula"],"quick_summary":"Set eye width to 3 aṅgulas; set droṇī to 1.5 aṅgulas; match eyebrow-arch line to that measure and keep both eyebrows even."}
Concept: Sāmya (symmetry) as a marker of śobha (beauty) and śāstra-siddhi (canonical correctness).
Application: Check both brows against a single measure to avoid asymmetry during carving/painting.
Khanda Section: Shilpa-shastra (Iconography & Pratima-lakshana)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A face-proportion diagram showing a 3-aṅgula eye, a 1.5-aṅgula droṇī, and mirrored eyebrow arcs drawn with the same span.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural instructional panel: deity face with thick black outlines, artisan drawing twin eyebrows with a measured string, annotations in stylized script, warm earthy palette.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore close-up portrait: symmetrical brows emphasized with gold accents, artisan’s measuring tool near the brow line, jewel-toned background and ornate frame.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore-style technical illustration: labeled measures for netra-vistāra and droṇī, fine linework, gentle washes, clean margins like a śilpa manual.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal atelier: two apprentices comparing eyebrow arcs with calipers, master correcting symmetry on a deity sketch, intricate detailing of tools and paper."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"focused","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: cārdhāṅgulā = ca + अर्धाङ्गुला; bhruvorlekhā = भ्रुवोः + लेखा; caiva = ca + eva.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 44 (bhrū, nāsā, oṣṭha pramāṇa sequences)
FAQs
It gives iconometric standards (aṅgula-based proportions) for carving/painting the eyes and eyebrows in a sacred image (pratimā), ensuring correct facial symmetry.
Beyond theology, it preserves practical Shilpa-shastra rules—precise measurements used by artisans for temple icons—showing the text’s coverage of applied arts and architectural-iconographic science.
Correct proportions are treated as part of proper pratimā-nirmāṇa; a well-formed icon supports ritually valid worship and is believed to enhance auspiciousness and the efficacy of devotion.