Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 30
Vāsudevādi-pratimā-lakṣaṇa-vidhiḥ
Iconographic and Iconometric Procedure for Vāsudeva and the Vyūha Forms
विस्तरेण करतलं कीर्तितं तु षडङ्गुलम् दैर्घ्यं सप्ताङ्गुलं कार्यं मध्या पज्चाङ्गुला मता
vistareṇa karatalaṃ kīrtitaṃ tu ṣaḍaṅgulam dairghyaṃ saptāṅgulaṃ kāryaṃ madhyā pajcāṅgulā matā
En largeur, la paume (karatala) est déclarée de six aṅgulas. Sa longueur doit être faite de sept aṅgulas, et la mesure médiane est tenue pour cinq aṅgulas.
Lord Agni (in instruction to Vasiṣṭha, as per the Agni Purāṇa’s standard dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Shilpa","secondary_vidya":"Vastu","practical_application":"Directly used for carving/casting the palm: setting palm breadth, length, and central measure to ensure correct hand proportions for mudrās and attribute-holding.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Karatala-pramāṇa: breadth, length, and madhya-māna","lookup_keywords":["karatala pramāṇa","palm breadth 6","palm length 7","madhya 5","mudrā hand proportion"],"quick_summary":"Gives the palm’s canonical breadth (6 aṅgulas), length (7 aṅgulas), and a central measure (5 aṅgulas). These numbers guide accurate hand shaping for expressive and ritually valid iconography."}
Concept: Form serves meaning: correct hand proportion supports correct mudrā, which supports correct bhāva and ritual function.
Application: When designing abhaya/varada or weapon-holding hands, begin from these palm measures to keep gestures legible and aesthetically stable.
Khanda Section: Vastu / Pratima-Lakshana (Iconography and measurement canons)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A palm is drawn on a measuring board with aṅgula grid: width 6, length 7, center 5; the sculptor transfers the grid onto a stone/metal hand for a deity’s mudrā.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, artisan sketching palm on aṅgula grid board, labeled 6-7-5 measures, unfinished deity hand in foreground, traditional workshop setting, flat decorative style","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, highlighted palm diagram with gold accents on measurement lines, deity hand in blessing gesture, ornate borders, rich jewel tones","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clean technical illustration: palm outline with aṅgula ticks and labels (6 breadth, 7 length, 5 middle), artisan holding stylus, soft gradients","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, draftsman drawing palm proportions on paper with ruler/cord, sculptor carving hand nearby, marginal annotations of 6/7/5 aṅgulas, refined detail"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ṣaḍaṅgulam → ṣaṭ-aṅgulam; saptāṅgulaṃ → sapta-aṅgulam; pajcāṅgulā (typo in input) → pañca-aṅgulā
Related Themes: Agni Purana 44 (continuation of hand/finger measures likely adjacent)
FAQs
It gives a pramāṇa rule: the standard dimensions of the karatala (palm-unit) in aṅgulas—6 in breadth, 7 in length, with a 5-aṅgula middle measure—used for precise planning in śilpa/vāstu and image-making.
By codifying exact measurement standards (aṅgula-based canons) for construction and iconography, it shows the text’s coverage beyond mythology—into technical disciplines like vāstu-śāstra and śilpa-śāstra.
Correct proportion (pramāṇa) is traditionally held to ensure ritual efficacy and auspiciousness in sacred construction and images; accuracy supports dharmic outcomes by aligning the work with śāstric order.