Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 48
Vāsudevādi-pratimā-lakṣaṇa-vidhiḥ
Iconographic and Iconometric Procedure for Vāsudeva and the Vyūha Forms
श्रीपुष्टौ वापि कर्तव्ये पद्मवीणाकरान्विते ऊरुमात्रोच्छितायामे मालाविद्याधरौ तथा
śrīpuṣṭau vāpi kartavye padmavīṇākarānvite ūrumātrocchitāyāme mālāvidyādharau tathā
Śrī et Puṣṭi doivent aussi être façonnées en images, tenant dans leurs mains un lotus et une vīṇā ; leur hauteur doit être d’une seule « mesure de cuisse ». De même, les Vidyādharas doivent être réalisés tenant des guirlandes.
Lord Agni (in dialogue to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Shilpa","secondary_vidya":"Vastu","practical_application":"Designing attendant/consort figures (Śrī, Puṣṭi, Vidyādhara) with specified hand-attributes and proportional height for temple ensembles and icon sets.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Śrī–Puṣṭi–Vidyādhara pratima-vinyāsa (Attributes and proportions)","lookup_keywords":["Śrī-pratimā","Puṣṭi-pratimā","padma","vīṇā","Vidyādhara-mālā"],"quick_summary":"Śrī and Puṣṭi are to be made holding lotus and vīṇā, with a specified proportional height (ūru-mātra). Vidyādharas are fashioned holding garlands, completing the iconographic entourage."}
Concept: Sacred aesthetics: completeness (parivāra) and proportion (māna) support ritual efficacy and visual harmony.
Application: When planning a shrine set, scale attendants consistently and assign their identifying attributes to avoid iconographic confusion.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Iconography and ritual construction of deities/attendants)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: śṛṅgāra
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Two graceful female figures (Śrī and Puṣṭi) hold a lotus and a vīṇā; nearby Vidyādharas hover or stand holding garlands, all scaled smaller than the main deity.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, Śrī and Puṣṭi with lotus and vīṇā, Vidyādharas with garlands, rhythmic composition around a central shrine space, traditional jewelry and textiles","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, Śrī and Puṣṭi as side panels with gold ornamentation, lotus and vīṇā highlighted, Vidyādharas above with garlands, rich decorative borders","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, clear proportional scaling (ūru-mātra) shown by composition, delicate facial features, soft colors, emphasis on vīṇā craftsmanship","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, courtly celestial attendants: two women with lotus and vīṇā, garland-bearing Vidyādharas, fine textile patterns and architectural framing"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":null,"pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: श्रीपुष्टौ = श्री + पुष्टौ (द्वन्द्व); वापि = वा + अपि; पद्मवीणाकरान्विते = पद्म + वीणा + कर + अन्विते; ऊरुमात्रोच्छितायामे = ऊरु + मात्रा + उच्छित + आयामे।
Related Themes: Agni Purāṇa 44 (parivāra and lakṣaṇa rules nearby); Agni Purāṇa 45 (pedestal/plinth sizing supports proportional ensembles)
FAQs
It gives pratimā-lakṣaṇa (iconographic rules): the attributes for Śrī and Puṣṭi (lotus and vīṇā) and a proportional height standard (ūru-mātra), plus attendant Vidyādharas holding garlands.
Beyond theology, it preserves practical temple-arts knowledge—measurement systems, deity attributes, and attendant figures—showing the Agni Purana’s coverage of ritual design, iconometry, and applied śilpa/vaastu guidance.
Correctly formed icons and attendants are understood to support proper worship (pūjā) and sanctity of installation, helping ensure the rite is effective and auspicious, aligned with prosperity (Śrī) and nourishment (Puṣṭi).