Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 37
Vāsudevādi-pratimā-lakṣaṇa-vidhiḥ
Iconographic and Iconometric Procedure for Vāsudeva and the Vyūha Forms
परिणाहस् तथा कट्या चतुःपञ्चाशदङ्गुलैः विस्तारश्चोरुमूले तु प्रोच्यते द्वादशङ्गुलः
pariṇāhas tathā kaṭyā catuḥpañcāśadaṅgulaiḥ vistāraścorumūle tu procyate dvādaśaṅgulaḥ
La circonférence à la taille (parināha) doit être de quarante-quatre aṅgulas ; et la largeur à la racine de la cuisse est déclarée de douze aṅgulas.
Lord Agni (instructing the sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Shilpa","secondary_vidya":"Vastu","practical_application":"Fixing waist and thigh-root proportions in sculpture/painting to maintain idealized anatomy per pratimā-lakṣaṇa.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Kaṭi-pariṇāha (waist circumference) and Ūru-mūla-vistāra (thigh-root breadth) measures","lookup_keywords":["kaṭi","pariṇāha","catuḥpañcāśat-aṅgula","ūru-mūla","vistāra"],"quick_summary":"Gives standard measures: waist circumference 44 aṅgulas and thigh-root breadth 12 aṅgulas for canonical icon proportions."}
Concept: Pramāṇa as authority: bodily harmony is achieved through fixed numeric relations rather than subjective taste.
Application: Workshop templates and grids can be derived from these numbers to ensure consistent waist–thigh transitions in icons.
Khanda Section: Vastu-Śāstra / Pratimā-Lakṣaṇa (Iconography and Measurements)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A standing icon figure with highlighted waist circumference and thigh-root breadth, with measurement lines and aṅgula ticks drawn by a sculptor.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, stylized figure with marked kaṭi and ūru-mūla, artisan holding palm-leaf manual, earthy reds and greens, temple workshop ambience.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore style, richly adorned figure with waist belt; subtle measurement annotations around kaṭi and thigh-root, gold borders emphasizing proportional zones.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clean instructional overlay showing 44-aṅgula waist circumference and 12-aṅgula thigh-root breadth, fine lines and muted colors.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, atelier with draftsman using compass/string to indicate waist circumference and thigh breadth on a figure study, detailed textiles and tools."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: catuḥpañcāśadaṅgulaiḥ → catuḥpañcāśat-aṅgulaiḥ; vistāraścorumūle → vistāraḥ ca ūru-mūle; dvādaśaṅgulaḥ → dvādaśa-aṅgulaḥ
Related Themes: Agni Purana 44 (aṅgula-pramāṇa and limb measures around kaṭi/ūru)
FAQs
It gives precise iconometric standards (māna) for sculpting or depicting a figure: the waist circumference (44 aṅgulas) and the thigh-base breadth (12 aṅgulas).
Beyond theology, the Agni Purana preserves practical Śilpa/Vāstu knowledge—standardized measurements used in temple art and image-making—showing its role as a compendium of technical sciences.
Correct proportions are traditionally held to ensure the image is ritually fit (pratiṣṭhā-yogya), supporting proper worship and the intended sacred efficacy of the deity’s form.