Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 41
Vāsudevādi-pratimā-lakṣaṇa-vidhiḥ
Iconographic and Iconometric Procedure for Vāsudeva and the Vyūha Forms
गुल्फात् पूर्वं तु कर्तव्यं प्रमाणाच्चतुरङ्गुलम् त्रिकलं विस्तृतौ पादौ त्र्यङ्गुलो गुह्यकः स्मृतः
gulphāt pūrvaṃ tu kartavyaṃ pramāṇāccaturaṅgulam trikalaṃ vistṛtau pādau tryaṅgulo guhyakaḥ smṛtaḥ
À partir de la cheville (gulpha), on doit façonner selon la mesure canonique de quatre aṅgulas (largeurs de doigt). Les deux pieds, lorsqu’ils sont écartés, sont dits avoir trois kalas de largeur ; et la région génitale (guhyaka) est retenue comme mesurant trois aṅgulas.
Lord Agni (in instruction on iconometric standards, as narrated within the Agni Purana’s encyclopedic discourse)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Shilpa","secondary_vidya":"Vastu","practical_application":"Iconometric planning for sculpting/painting a pratimā: setting proportional measures for ankle-to-foot spread and genital-region placement/size using aṅgula/kala units.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Gulpha–Pāda–Guhyaka Pramāṇa (Iconometric Measures)","lookup_keywords":["gulpha","pāda-vistṛti","guhyaka","aṅgula","kala"],"quick_summary":"Gives standard limb-measures from the ankle onward: ankle-related measure, foot breadth in kalā, and genital-region measure in aṅgulas for proportional image-making."}
Concept: Pramāṇa (standardized measure) as the basis of auspicious and aesthetically correct form
Application: Use fixed units (aṅgula/kalā) to avoid disproportion in icons, ensuring visual harmony and ritual acceptability.
Khanda Section: Vastu-shastra / Pratima-lakshana (Iconometry and measurement of limbs)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A sculptor marks a standing figure’s lower limbs with a measuring cord, indicating ankle (gulpha), spread feet breadth, and the guhyaka region with labeled aṅgula/kalā ticks.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style, artisan measuring a divine-human figure outline on a wall panel, clear red/ochre linework, labeled gulpha and pāda, traditional flat perspective, temple workshop ambience","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style, sculptor-sage holding a measuring rod (aṅgula scale) beside a partially finished bronze-like figure, rich colors, gold embellishment on tools and borders, emphasis on measured feet stance","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, instructional diagram-like composition of lower body proportions with fine lines and soft shading, annotations for 4 aṅgula and 3 kalā, calm studio setting","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, atelier scene with craftsmen using a measuring cord on a figure sketch, delicate detailing, marginal notes indicating aṅgula/kalā, subdued palette"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: प्रमाणाच्चतुरङ्गुलम् = प्रमाणात् + चतुरङ्गुलम्; त्र्यङ्गुलः = त्रि + अङ्गुलः (यण्-सन्धि)
Related Themes: Agni Purana 44 (Pratimā-lakṣaṇa sections on aṅgula-pramāṇa and limb proportions)
FAQs
It gives iconometric (pramāṇa) rules for sculpting/depicting the lower body—specifying the measure from the ankle onward, the breadth of the feet, and the measure of the genital region using aṅgula and kala units.
Beyond theology, the Agni Purana preserves practical Shilpa/Vastu standards used by artisans and temple builders, documenting precise proportional rules (pratima-lakṣaṇa) as part of its multi-disciplinary knowledge system.
Correct proportions in sacred images are traditionally held to ensure the deity’s form is ritually valid and aesthetically auspicious, supporting proper worship (pūjā) and the devotee’s merit through accurate, dharmic craftsmanship.