Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 4
Vāsudevādi-pratimā-lakṣaṇa-vidhiḥ
Iconographic and Iconometric Procedure for Vāsudeva and the Vyūha Forms
भागमेकं त्रिधा भक्त्वा पार्ष्णिभागं प्रकल्पयेत् भागमेकं तथा जानौ ग्रीवायां भागमेव च
bhāgamekaṃ tridhā bhaktvā pārṣṇibhāgaṃ prakalpayet bhāgamekaṃ tathā jānau grīvāyāṃ bhāgameva ca
En divisant une unité de mesure en trois parts, on doit déterminer la portion destinée au talon ; de même, une unité (est attribuée) au genou, et une unité également au cou.
Lord Agni (in instruction to Vasiṣṭha, within the Agni Purana’s encyclopedic Dhanurveda section)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dhanurveda","secondary_vidya":"Shilpa","practical_application":"Body-target proportioning for martial training: allocating measured segments to key body points (heel, knee, neck) for stance alignment, armor fitting, or target/vital-point mapping.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Aṅga-māna-vibhāga for pādānta-jānu-grīvā (heel–knee–neck allocation)","lookup_keywords":["Dhanurveda","aṅga-māna","pārṣṇi","jānu","grīvā"],"quick_summary":"Gives a proportional rule: subdivide a unit into three for the heel portion, and assign one unit each for knee and neck—used to standardize bodily mapping in training and application."}
Concept: Discipline through measure: martial efficacy depends on precise bodily knowledge and standardized training metrics.
Application: In archery/weapon drills, mark body reference points (heel, knee, neck) using consistent units to teach posture, distance, and safe/unsafe strike zones.
Khanda Section: Dhanurveda (Archery & Martial Technique: body-target measurement and vital/joint points)
Primary Rasa: vīra
Secondary Rasa: śānta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A martial instructor demonstrates a human figure with measured segments marked at heel, knee, and neck; a unit is shown divided into three for the heel; students observe with measuring cord/rod.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, training ground, guru pointing to heel/knee/neck on a standing warrior, measurement marks painted as bands, traditional attire, dynamic yet orderly composition.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, warrior figure with ornate belt and minimal weapons, gold highlights, measurement bands at heel/knee/neck, instructor and students with ritualized dignity.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, semi-diagrammatic anatomy overlay on a standing figure, clear proportional ticks, instructor holding measuring rod, calm instructional palette.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly training scene, instructor marking proportions on a trainee, fine textiles, precise lines indicating segmented measures, subtle landscape background."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: bhāgamekaṃ → bhāgam ekam; bhāgameva → bhāgam eva.
Related Themes: Agni Purāṇa: Dhanurveda sections on aṅga-lakṣaṇa, marmas/targets, and training rules (elsewhere in the text)
FAQs
A Dhanurveda measurement rule: it specifies proportional units to be used when marking or aiming at anatomical points—heel, knee, and neck—by dividing a standard measure and assigning defined portions.
It shows the Purana preserving practical military-science details (Dhanurveda), including quantified body-based targeting/measurement conventions—alongside theology, ritual, and other disciplines.
Primarily pragmatic rather than devotional: it reflects dharma-governed discipline in warfare/skill-training, implying that even martial practice should follow precise, rule-based knowledge rather than impulsive violence.