Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 6
Vāsudevādi-pratimā-lakṣaṇa-vidhiḥ
Iconographic and Iconometric Procedure for Vāsudeva and the Vyūha Forms
नाभिमेढ्रान्तरन्तालं द्वितालावूरुकौ तथा तालद्वयेन जङ्घा स्यात् सूत्राणि शृणु साम्प्रतं
nābhimeḍhrāntarantālaṃ dvitālāvūrukau tathā tāladvayena jaṅghā syāt sūtrāṇi śṛṇu sāmprataṃ
L’intervalle entre le nombril et la région génitale est d’un tāla ; les cuisses sont de deux tālas ; et les jambes inférieures (tibias) sont de deux tālas. Écoute maintenant les sūtras, les canons de la mesure.
Lord Agni (in dialogue, instructing a sage—commonly transmitted to Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purāṇa frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Shilpa","secondary_vidya":"Vastu","practical_application":"Pratimā-nirmāṇa (icon-making): fixing canonical body proportions in tāla-units for sculpting, casting, and painting sacred images.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Definition","entry_title":"Tāla-pramāṇa: lower-body proportions (nābhi to meḍhra, ūru, jaṅghā)","lookup_keywords":["tāla-pramāṇa","pratimā-lakṣaṇa","ūru-jaṅghā-māna","nābhi-meḍhra-antara"],"quick_summary":"Defines standard tāla-based measures for the lower body: navel-to-genital interval, thighs, and shanks. Used to keep icons anatomically and ritually proportionate."}
Concept: Rūpa-siddhi through pramāṇa (right form arises from right measure).
Application: Use proportional canons to avoid doṣa (fault) in icons and to ensure ritual acceptability of the image.
Khanda Section: Vāstu-śāstra / Śilpa-śāstra (Iconometry and proportional measurement)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A master sculptor demonstrates a standing icon’s lower-body measurements using a measuring cord, marking navel, genital region, thighs, and shanks in tāla units on a proportional grid.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style, warm earthy palette, guru-śilpin holding a white measuring cord (sūtra) against a standing pratimā outline, clear marks at nābhi and meḍhra, annotated tāla divisions, traditional workshop setting with palm-leaf manuscripts.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, gold-leaf accents on the pratimā outline and tools, artisan measuring the lower body with a cord, stylized lotus motifs, rich reds and greens, emphasis on sacred craftsmanship.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting style, fine linework, instructional diagram feel: standing figure with segmented tāla bands, labels for ūru and jaṅghā, artisan with measuring cord, muted elegant colors.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, atelier scene with a craftsman measuring a figure on paper and a small clay model, precise detailing of cord and markings, architectural studio background, delicate borders."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: nābhimeḍhrāntarantālaṃ → nābhi-meḍhra-antara-antālam; dvitālāvūrukau → dvi-tālau + ūrukau; तालद्वयेन unchanged; जङ्घा स्यात् (syāt from √as); no further sandhi required.
Related Themes: Agni Purāṇa Pratimā-lakṣaṇa / Tāla-pramāṇa sections (surrounding verses in adhyāya 44)
FAQs
It teaches śilpa-śāstra iconometry: specific body-part proportions expressed in tāla units (navel-to-genitals = 1 tāla; thighs = 2 tālas; shanks = 2 tālas) used when designing or sculpting images.
Beyond theology, the Agni Purāṇa preserves practical technical sciences—here, standardized proportional rules for icon-making and temple arts—showing its coverage of Vāstu/Śilpa alongside ritual, polity, medicine, and poetics.
Correct proportions support a ‘properly formed’ sacred image, which is traditionally held to enhance the efficacy of installation and worship, aligning artistic craft with dharma and devotional merit.