Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 33
Vāsudevādi-pratimā-lakṣaṇa-vidhiḥ
Iconographic and Iconometric Procedure for Vāsudeva and the Vyūha Forms
वक्षसो यत् प्रमाणन्तु जठरं तत्प्रमाणतः अङ्गुलैकं भवेन्नाभी वेधेन च प्रमाणतः
vakṣaso yat pramāṇantu jaṭharaṃ tatpramāṇataḥ aṅgulaikaṃ bhavennābhī vedhena ca pramāṇataḥ
Quelle que soit la proportion mesurée de la poitrine, le ventre doit être de cette même mesure. Le nombril doit avoir l’étendue d’un aṅgula et être mesuré selon la méthode prescrite de jauge (vedha).
Lord Agni (in dialogue, instructing sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Shilpa","secondary_vidya":"Vastu","practical_application":"Setting torso proportions (chest, belly, navel size) for sculpting and painting canonical bodies in icons.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Vakṣa–Jaṭhara Sāmya & Nābhi-pramāṇa","lookup_keywords":["vakṣa-pramāṇa","jaṭhara-pramāṇa","nābhi-aṅgula","vedha","aṅga-pramāṇa"],"quick_summary":"The belly should match the chest in measure; the navel is fixed at one aṅgula and verified by the prescribed gauging method (vedha)."}
Concept: Sāmya (proportional harmony) as a marker of auspicious form (lakṣaṇa).
Application: Use proportional equivalences to maintain visual harmony in icons and avoid distortions.
Khanda Section: Vastu / Shilpa-shastra (Iconometry and bodily proportions)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"An iconometric grid overlays a deity torso, showing chest and belly equal widths and a one-aṅgula navel marked by a measuring pin (vedha).","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, frontal deity torso with faint measurement lines, artisan marking the navel point with a stylus, subdued temple atelier background.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold halo and ornaments, subtle proportional grid on torso, navel marked precisely, ornate frame.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clean instructional overlay: chest and belly equal measures, navel labeled ‘1 aṅgula’, tools on the side.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, atelier scene with master measuring a model/icon torso using a string and pin for vedha, detailed textiles and instruments."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shankarabharanam","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: प्रमाणन्तु = प्रमाणम् + तु; तत्प्रमाणतः = तत्-प्रमाणतः; अङ्गुलैकं = अङ्गुल-एकम्; भवेन्नाभी = भवेत् + नाभी.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 44 (aṅga-pramāṇa continuation: torso and lower-body measures)
FAQs
It teaches śilpa/vāstu iconometric rules: the belly should match the chest in proportion, and the navel’s size is fixed at one aṅgula, verified using the technical measuring method called vedha.
Beyond theology, it preserves practical canons used by sculptors and temple-builders—standardized bodily proportions and measurement techniques—showing the Agni Purana’s coverage of applied arts (śilpa-śāstra) alongside ritual and doctrine.
Correct proportion in sacred images supports ritual efficacy (proper pratimā-lakṣaṇa), helping ensure the deity’s form is ritually “fit” for installation and worship, which is traditionally linked to merit (puṇya) and purity of practice.